Tyrell “The first time I arrived in Tucson was in 2017. I was homeless and trying to get to Cali. My partner had arranged for me to live in my 1976 camper on his grandma’s property. I was traveling from NY (after a mental health crisis, domestic violence and graduating from Cornell). Driving through the South was very difficult on my nervous system and our money. We ended up stuck in El Paso, TX without enough gas money to get to Tucson. A Tucson organizer and healer fundraised for our gas money to be able to come to Tucson to teach about herbs and do a performance at Revolutionary Grounds.  I was shocked at the beauty and mutual aid in Tucson. To be surrounded by mountains on all four sides, better sunsets than Cali, and otherworldliness of a community who embraces the aesthetic of the desert. To be housed and fed and resources gathered by complete strangers who welcomed me as family because of reparations and queer & trans solidarity. I was shocked and overwhelmed with gratitude. Each time I returned, Tucson audiences resonated deeply with the medicine that I had to share and showed up to generously support me.” 

Shelby “This summer, I finished a degree in Microbiology with a minor in Africana Studies at the University of Arizona. Growing up a predominately white rural town, it was hard to find a community that looked like me. I did not know where I fit in or if I fit in at all. I spent most of my childhood and K-12 career running from myself and attempting to hide my Blackness. I had a cultural experience like no other during my first year here. I joined an all-Black student dormitory and met folks from around the world.  This dorm and the BLACK program at the University of Arizona changed all of that for me. I met Black entrepreneurs, Black architects, Black mathematicians, Black everything! I started to realize that the only thing holding me back was me. My Black peers had created a safe space for me to find myself, the person I was trying to hide from for so long. From that point on, I was committed to making safe spaces for individuals of all ethnicities and backgrounds. Tucson has done so many things for me and now all I want to do is give back.”

When I go by Alex Smith I am immediately categorized as an African-American or a Latin American of African descent because of my last name which hails from Jamaica where my grandfather was born. My family in the Caribbean had slavery in our history, and everybody has been successful from that blood line. We have chosen to not use the oppression of our ancestors to make for a better future for our families. When I’m in Mississippi, Texas, or Atlanta they all see me as a Jamaican or African American. But when they find out I speak Spanish or that my family is interracial, I’m profiled or basically blackballed by picking the wrong side. I can’t help my heritage; I am embrace them all. I am seen as not black enough, not Dominican enough, not Mexican enough, or not Native enough to pick a side. The truth is I don’t pick a side but black lives do matter and I will stand by that until the day I die. It is hard to be a minority in this country; it’s even harder to be the minority to the minority in this country and that is where I fit in.

Ready To Be Free Poem by Hope (Note first letter of each line.) Black the color so beautiful everyone stares Living in Tucson, too much to bare As for peace I use the Lord’s Prayer Christ is the armor I wear Keeping my faith as it is my air Lets seek to mend Instead of getting of revenge Violence between each other is what we see, let it be Easy to live, let us breath So we are given equal opportunity Memorize the true history All of our stories Together making beautiful memories Together let’s create peace Everyone should feel at ease Ready, are you ready to be free

Jamain: Community is the solution. - Communities reveal our similarities - Communities nurture  - Communities generate solutions - Communities strengthen their members - Communities serve Communities naturally form around the greater good.  By running towards our passions, we attract, and become attractive to, individuals also running towards their passions. Then, one connection at a time, communities manifest. In my network, I have business owners, artists, community leaders and mentors who are working for good. When focused on our common goals, the long standing barriers that have separated individuals disappear.  Thank you, community.

Kerri: “12/07/17 My fiancé, Frederick Wilburn, the father of my kids was killed shot in head to be exact by the gun of an Arizona DPS officer who claimed he feared for his life. This occurred in Tucson. Now I wasn’t there of course, but I know damn well my baby wouldn’t hurt anybody let alone a cop. He didn’t even give my baby a chance: shot him through our car window; didn’t even tell to him to get out the car; didn’t even give him chance or nothing; and, I’m so tired of these cops gettin away with killing Black Men, young black men, young black children. This sh*t has to stop. It makes me so angry. I may not talk about it but deep down I’m so distraught. One day I would like to reopen the case to see what can even happen. Frederick Wilburn needs his justice too. Plus, the cops were DPS from Phoenix, not even Tucson cops. They should have let him alone but no, they claim he was driving crazy when he was trying to pick me from work.”

Mark: “I am a Blackman and hold no grudge against anyone. Though my eyes I see all individuals as equal, unique in their own way but it seems a title puts us as a separate race divided into a category that one is superior over the other.  At an early age I was taught to be kind to people and try to avoid conflict because it never resolves anything,  it true to some extent. I'm not perfect, at times my anger can get the best of me like anyone else. I'm not blind to what's going on in our world today. We are all facing racism and violence that has broken our faith,  bringing out anger to fight the injustice. Martin Luther King Jr. said it best in one of his speeches and I quote "Violence will create more social problems than they will solve " and "Riots is the language of the unheard.” One day I hope we can see a positive change in our society, voiding all this negativity we face today. Peace, Love and Blessing to you all in our world and I pray for you all that has lost someone.”

Sarah: “I wanna tell you about myself... I want to tell you how I love crafting, and hiking, and sci-fi movies... I want to tell you about how I always dreamed of being an actress, but also a seamstress, or maybe a psychologist. But I know it doesn't matter. It doesn't matter that cats are my favorite animals, or I cry watching old movies, or I can bake a perfect cheesecake. It doesn't matter I learned all the words to Bob Marley's Redemption song, before I could even read. Or that I still collect stuffed animals. No... None of that matters.  Because I live in America. None of that matters, because I can be killed just for being black. And who I was, will never matter, because if a man in a uniform kills me, I'm automatically a bad person. I want people to know me, and remember the good things I've done, that I always tried to be honest. That I smiled when I talked about my love of history. I want the chance to be remembered for who I am. I just want Black lives to matter, so my life will matter.”

Darwin: “Here in Tucson, while things are far less blatant, the historic milieux of racism is still visible. Young men of color are still disproportionately being stopped, questioned and searched by law enforcement. My 30 year old son and I both have been stopped and questioned several times, as well as followed in stores. The recent large and racially diverse vigil at the Dunbar Pavillion, following the murder of George Floyd points to a bright future on Tucson’s horizon, but it can only be reached by the realization by white Tucsonans, that these disparities do still exist, and that they must, by their awareness and action, be a part of the solution. Such actions as participation in community forums, attending black churches, or simply speaking up when you see a person of color being treated by police in a way that you would not want your daughter or son treated. These actions can go a long way toward making Tucson a more just, friendly and caring community for all of its residents.”

ToReeNee: “This is what I know about my self. I am a wolf. I named myself that when I was seven. I travel a thousand miles in Dream Time. I love deeply, passionately and fiercely. In This Moment, my job is to leave the World better than how I found it. For me, that’s doing one song at a time, one painting at a time and one hug at time. This alchemical moment, this place of uncertainty, we are All sharing it on a global level. We are at the Fork in The Road. The Great Pause and Reckoning. The Bill for this country has come due.The lavish feast that was built upon the backs of captured, enslaved and terrorized people has to be paid. The foundations that have been poured  on stolen lands  are shifting and crumbling. As. They. Should. Nothing truly thrives when it’s based on genocide. The trajectory that started in  duplicity at the beginning of this nation, well, that bullet has caught up with us. And we ain’t gonna out run it. It is not a flesh wound but a gut shot festering.”

Wille: “I have been in Tucson Arizona for 38 years. Originally being from New Jersey, I have an interesting perspective on life as a Blackman in Tucson. I can honestly say life is different here. In NJ,  yes there are racial issues. The best way to describe it is NJ sits right at the Mason Dixon line. Here in Tucson, the first thing I noticed was white people will treat you as inferior when you first encounter them. They talk down to you and often disrespect you. It seemed that black people who were born here just accepted that this was the way it was and seldom challenged them. Being from the east coast, that was contrary to my attitude. I then noticed that when you challenged or stood your ground, they would immediately comment, you're not from around here and back off.  Over time more and more black people have moved to Tucson. Many have come here to work either at the military base, the U of A, or one of the many tech jobs available. This created more black diversity and thus harmony but we still have a ways to go.”

Matt: “Mass Liberation is my focus. Our approach to organizing centers Black liberation because I believe by liberating Black people, we all get free. Therefore we focus on base building, leadership development, healing and personal transformation. We must invest in solutions that strengthen our communities, and have elected officials that are from our communities know our struggle. I do believe that those who are mostly directly impacted should be heard. There are so many organizations today fighting for social justice on many silos, but aren’t united as a front with multiple & same agendas. They are like a hand with each finger (organizations) doing their own thing. Imagine how powerful they would be together as a hand with the force of a fist working as one. The criminal justice system isn’t broken; it’s doing exactly what it was designed to do and that to destroy families & communities and creating false hope and faith in a system that is about money and not people. That doesn’t mean that we stop working or throw up our hands.It has to be broken down into manageable parts for us to handle while not losing sight of the larger whole.” 

Ava: “I hold the bloodline of America’s racial divide in my veins. My DNA reflects the trauma of my Indigenous and Black ancestors woven simultaneously with the trauma of my White ancestors who were bred to eliminate and enslave them.  When we look at the timeline of our history, it was just yesterday that my Great-Grandfather was a slave. It was just yesterday that my dad was 18 by the time his school was desegregated. It was just yesterday that he picked cotton from the time he could walk and as a teenager, lived in the Maid’s Quarters of a White General’s house.  The imposed separateness of Black Americans from the White Norm has pervaded our reality for centuries. Voices separate us or connect us. Passed down from generations, they play a role in the development of our reality.  At times, I feel this dichotomy within me as an inner war that plays out through anxiety, depression, low self-worth and confusion of my place in the world.  Now, it is a resounding call to rise as an alchemical bridge of reconciliation and transmutation of the abuses and movement beyond the races. Justice for One is Justice for All.”   

Randiesia: “Art by Diesie is an emotional experience rather than a physical reality; this is a common thread in Expressionist Artwork.  It challenges the perceptions of Pan-African faces; particularly a non-smiling face. The artist’s goal is to redefine these faces that have been subjected to stereotypical thugs, criminals, harlots, Jezebels, and exotic sapphires. The collection eases the fears of normal facial expressions—the expressions of culture, family, community, and nationality; a message in line with the ideals of Contemporary Art in the 21st Century. Art by Diesie is influenced through the literary works of W. E.B. Dubois, Claude McKay, Zora Neale Hurston and more. Dubois speaks about the Double Consciousness—how people are forced to view themselves and the world through a lens of racism. It is the dichotomy of how a person views themself, versus how the world views that person. The Harlem Renaissance Era dignified the African-American countering the negative images that dominated news outlets. This Renaissance is an exploration--a political force to ratify change. Let’s ignite our protests through the arts; let’s celebrate the hope and richness of the Pan-African experience.”

Bryan: “I am a flawed man, but I have worked to become better. Not for me but for my family and for my community.  I can not fix the past but I can be a part of the healing which is the future. America needs to do the same. Acknowledge it’s wrongs and accept that it needs help. Swallow your pride and relearn how to be whole again. This country was built on the backs of my people and other people of color. Now is our time to make it truly ours. Our character is shown not in the happy times or the easy journey. We reveal our true self in the troubling times. Do better."

Steve: “On my life’s journey, I have developed a passion for health, wellness and nutrition and became a certified health coach, personal trainer and urban gardener. I want to advocate for and inspire others especially in the underserved communities to achieve their goals for attaining healthy lifestyles, exercise and good nutrition. Historically speaking, since the typical African-American diet involves large amounts of meat, fat and sugar, there is a large risk of health-related illnesses such as obesity, heart disease and stroke resulting from eating this type of diet. African-Americans typically choose foods such as fried chicken, barbecued ribs, baked macaroni and cheese, sugary fruit drinks and sweets such as sweet potato pie, which are typical soul food meals. Many ethnic groups have higher incidences of diabetes, hypertension, cancer, and heart disease when compared to the white population. There is another study completed that found that 35 percent of all cancer deaths in the US may be attributed to dietary factors. A holistic approach which includes exercise, good diet, lifestyle, financial freedom and spirituality among others critical factors will play a major role in the longevity of most African-Americans.”

Chakita: My skin is Black My lips are full My hips are round My nose is wide  My hair is my crown My skin is my history my ancestry glory That has sculpted into a strong God fearing women Of courage power and glory Because there was no other choice for me A women so strong  I moved from Detroit to Tucson With my Hope my daughter my Love Soon after we arrived from east to west    Tucson showed us that this city was not the best If you look the way that we do Their eyes were always watching, staring, glaring at us With no care, no feeling, no trust With their Confederate flags, swastikas and white supremacy Our skin is too dark they never show my face It was enough to see my African ancestry to make them hate me Even at work there was no end to the racism beyond their grins The way I walk, the way talk, my style, my swag it made them mad The curvy in my hip, the dip in my back, body, spirit, and soul Too much for them to control

Alanna: “The murder of George Floyd has been difficult for me to process. When you pair this with the disproportionate number of African Americans that are dying from COVID-19, my heart is heavier than you can imagine.  As a woman of color and also as a woman living with a disability, I am often placed in the position of trying to explain racial privilege and also able-bodied privilege to others. I no longer want to be the only person to hold space for these topics. I am hopeful that through the BLM movement, I am able to use my profession to support Black people in their recovery from the multigenerational traumas that have faced the Black community and to continue to advocate for change for disenfranchised groups.”

Jernei: “The Movement is Not Over. With everything going on in the world, it’s been a whirlwind of emotions, but most of what I feel is motivation. My mom and I teamed up to create a project that is centered around the voice of young, black females in honor of Breonna Taylor. This collage represents young women and their feelings. Each girl has a word to describe her emotions during this time of unrest. Our words express our frustrations and our hope. We matter. Through this demonstration, my goal is to highlight the importance of the black female. Not only the black female, but those of the younger generations. We are talented and we want to live to see our futures. Now is the time to use our influence and power to have our say in our country. We will use our voices and we will vote. We will create programs and support each other. We will not be denied our place in this world.”

Seanloui: I am I am the greatest enemy to my fears   I am the brutality to my adversaries  I am the nightmare to my failures I am I am what my grandmother dreamed of  I am what my mother prayed for  I am what my ancestors believed in  I am the history within the present  I am I am the beauty in the chaos  I am the revolution and the peace I am the destruction and the utopia  I am the rose and the thorn  I am the river and the wave  I am I am the song in the voice  I am the encore that carries the bridge I am the Prince and the King I am I am the whisper in the storm I am the fight and the battle  I am the sword and the shield  I am the gracious victorious warrior  I am 

Elliot: “I see many people who become complacent in Tucson. Many people ride the coattails of the sense of community and close knitted-ness that makes Tucson so special. Although the events, work, and progress that makes Tucson a progressive community have immense value there are still many of us who experience life differently than the majority of Tucsonans. Racism IS here. It IS in our community. And there are many people who ARE complacent in the ways Tucson has allowed that to continue. There's a foil there that people become even more defensive when they are confronted with the cracks in our society because of the notion Tucson is a good place already. That's the danger. Goodness is not just an end state; it is a continuation of the practice of goodness and finding ways to be good every day. It's hard and requires self-reflection and sometimes that sucks. If you find yourself saying to yourself over and over "You are a good person" as a way to comfort yourself, you are building complacency into your mind.”

Marquez: “This is my clarion call to white people. There is no room to be offended. We all know right from wrong. Love is still the panacea, but from now on, if no action is taken, know where I stand, and know that you cannot remain in my life if you cannot understand this. I say this because you are the only ones who can put an to this as the system is designed to suit you, oppress me, and has been since the moment many of my ancestors were forced in shackles to the shores of this looted, stolen land we deem “America.” Systemic change. Hold all leaders and elected officials responsible and demand that they change current policy. Do not film me being brutalized by the police. Put the phone down and help me. My true allied white friends did pick up the phone and reached out to me to show concern and love during an experience tantamount to an endangered species. Good intentions are never forgotten because during times when I feel like losing it, the walking embodiment of God consciousness within me whispers into my ear that we are all one people underneath the sun.”

Ron: "45 has opened pandora's box and allowed every stinking closet racist out of the box. Now they flaunt their racism openly and without repercussions. I have always owned a gun but now since 45 has given racist a blank check to do what they will at their own discretion, I now carry it openly on my side which at least will deter the timid racist and as protection against the more aggressive ones. To be born Black is a potential death sentence. At the present and as it has been for 400 years, all you can do is keep on trucking and be aware.”

Joey: “While I am extremely saddened and angered by the death of George Floyd and all the others that have been murdered in the past. Sadly this is nothing new to me,  I protested in Milwaukee during  the 1992 Rodney King LA Riots.   But for me personally all of this talk about stick together stand side by side in the Black Community has never been a reality for me.  As an African American Ballet dancer I always stood out from the crowd, and to this day I can count on one hand how many African Americans have supported me or my business.  Something about Ballet is fearful to many in the Black Community, they don’t understand the art form and thus saw me as an “Uncle Tom” because of my ballet."

Rahsheen: “What people don't understand is that we never said no other lives but blacks matter; what we are saying is that people need to understand that we matter as well. Stop making it about you it is about making sure we have equal opportunity to breath while black, to sleep while black, to ask for help while black. We just want to be able to live. If more people speak out instead of turning a blind eye than what is happening now would never had happen. Right now it is not about you it is about everyone having the same opportunity and if the first thing that you are worrying about is a business being burnt down then you are part of the problem.”

Sharon: “It breaks my heart that so many lives had to be lost for people to recognize and understand that racism is global and is not just a black or brown issue. It breaks my heart that society cannot recognize that blacks and people of color will never experience the same opportunities and lifestyles as whites. It breaks my heart that the messages behind the protest of individuals like Colin Kapernick and groups like Black Lives Matters are still misunderstood and misinterpreted. It breaks my heart that the lyrics of the song “Strange Fruit” is just as relevant today as it was when recorded by Billie Holiday in 1939. It breaks my heart that I must be hyper-vigilant of my surrounding whenever I leave my home. It breaks my heart to fear for my son’s safety when he is away from home.  Please do not think for a minute that racism is resurging, it’s never gone away. But what is new is the number of individuals who are recognizing our struggle. They are educating themselves through initiating deep, meaningful, and sometimes uncomfortable conversations surrounding race. I pray this is just the beginning.”

Jane: “The truth is black lives only matter when they are entertaining you.  Outside of the gratification a black body brings when we are doing anything you find pleasing, our existence is debatable to you.  In 2013 I was taking my 9 month old to protests and rallies  for Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown and the other black kids murdered at the hands of those that you insist are here to "protect and serve" that year. Now 7 years later she is asking “ why are we still protesting the same things, mommy?”    I can't take her to protest anymore, because cops have dismissed our rights to peacefully assemble and instead have declared war. Cops are openly destroying our entire families, how would you expect us to react?  I can't take her to protest any more because if a cop pepper sprays or shoots anything at my baby they are going to have to take my life too.  And  I'm not ready to die yet. I'm still teaching my daughter that she can be anything and that her generation will see the defunding and dismantling of the biggest domestic terrorist organization the world used to know.”

Andres: “As African Americans, we are caught in this world which celebrates the culture but not the people. I want to dare to dream. I want to watch my nieces and nephews grow old and be come astronaut and paleontologists. I want the sun to rise and set and not have to worry about trauma. Trauma that has been shared from generation to generation, passed like songs we keep collecting and resurrecting day in and day out.  I want to laugh loud in public without being looked at as the loud and boisterous black guy. I want to walk downtown without purses being held tighter when I walked by. I want the privilege to just dream. To dream like white kids dream to walk on Mars, I want to feel that in my neighborhood. I want the belonging I feel with people who look like me, I want to feel that with everyone. I just want my dreams to stop being my dreams.”