Dreaming Dead
24" x 24" | Acrylic, Magazine, & Paper on Canvas
MGMcedes Designs © 2020
NOT FOR SALE
I'm not really one for 'political' pieces, but I was doing some research for a brand I work with for #mlkday and upon research, I was moved and compelled to create this piece:
As we remember Martin Luther King Jr. today, let us also not forget what it was that he stood for. He was a #Christian man who stood for #justice, fought for the oppressed and was assassinated for equality.
In his most famous speech - "I have a dream" made on August 28th, 1963 - he spoke of a dream where "little black boys and girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and girls as brothers and sisters". He spoke of a dream where his "four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character". He spoke of a dream that was "deeply rooted in the American Dream... that one day this nation will rise up, [and] live the true meaning of it's creed: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal'."
Today in America, that American Dream is Dying.
In these past few years, I've seen a rise of racial prejudice & hate crimes. I've seen the violence thrust upon not only the black community, but the hispanic community too. "Police Brutality" & "Deportation" are words that bring fear to a lot of American people. And it shouldn't be so.
I created this piece as a call to action. Just as King Jr. was advocate for non violent protest - this is mine. A protest to the American people to vote. A protest to the American people to rally up in non violent acts to create waves of momentum to change the political structure. A protest to end poverty. A protest to end discrimination of gender, race, and religious views. A protest to end corruption. And a protest to disenfranchise anything that devalues us and our self worth.
I believe and stand by what Martin Luther King Jr. did. - that "Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God's children... Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy", because there is no better time than NOW.
So I urge you, your family and friends to embrace what it means to be an American. I urge you to throw away your beliefs that different is bad. I encourage you to embrace each other's faults. I put emphasis on truly believing that love will end all.
But it starts now, and it starts with YOU.
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Art title inspired by Twenty One Pilots song Taxi Cab lyrics "And then I asked them am I alive and well or am I dreaming dead?".
All word cut outs are words used in Martin Luther King Jr.'s speech "I Have A Dream". You can read the speech here.
Happy #mlkday
