Local artists and businesses have teamed up in downtown Asheville to show their support for the BLM protestors that have been occupying the streets. Beautiful portraits and powerful statements such as “Defend Black Lives” cover boarded up windows and show the pain and injustice that black members of the Asheville community face everyday.
Although it will be sad to see the powerful art be removed as businesses start to take down the boards from their windows, it is rumored that the pieces will be auctioned off with proceeds going to support Black Lives Matter. None of the art I found downtown was signed. I believe artists intentionally avoided signing the art to show that it isn’t about them, and focusing the attention on the powerful messages in support of BLM.
We are faced with the challenge of navigating a global pandemic yet protestors continue to fight an issue that has been plaguing our community for centuries: Racism. Artists, musicians, young black leaders, and allies are teaming up to change the dynamic of our city. There is still a long fight ahead of us to dismantle a corrupt system, but we are already starting to see progress as the city of Asheville votes to remove confederate monuments that stand downtown.
Musicians and artists are stepping up and leading the fight for equality in Asheville. Several local artists teamed up to create a digital album with all proceeds going directly to Black Lives Matter. It can be purchased on Band Camp at this Link.
Please continue to look towards your local Black leadership to learn how you can support the movement.
The video below features some of the art found in downtown Asheville on Monday June, 15th. The poem featured in the video is written and read by Lori McKinney from the band Option 22.
source: Edwin Arnaudin. Storefront Solidarity. Mountain Xpress, Vol. 26 No. 46 June 10-16, 2020.
