Greetings drum & dance community! 

I’m reaching out with an invitation for you to join me in "The Kneeling Art Photography Project", convened by my friend and extraordinary local artist, Titi de Baccarat. If you're not on facebook, just google his name and you will find many ways to learn about his work. 

Save the Date:

Tuesday September 29, 5:30pm at Deering Oaks Park
(Visit website for rain date, if necessary)
 

The project, in Titi de Baccarat's own words: 

"...Would you agree to be photographed on one knee? We have all seen during the protests that followed the murder of George Floyd, blacks and whites, young people and adults get down on one knee ... What does this gesture mean to you? I started a community art project called "The Kneeling Art Photography Project". The project will bring together a team of photographers to different communities (Black, White, Immigrant, LGBTQ+, Youth, Adults, Police, Politicians ...) to explore the gesture and the meaning of getting down on one knee. I would like to collect a series of photos of people on one knee and their definitions of what it means to get on one knee to edit a book called "Taking A Knee For Change". I think this is a major project that will have a significant positive impact on different communities. Marita, I would be very honored to see you involved in one way or another..." 

Why I'm inviting you (our Drum & Dance Community):

While we continue to reckon with the past 400 years of racial inequality - systemic racism, violence and oppression (thank you Liz Fowler, for the wording), I am incredibly grateful that we as a drum and dance community are contributing to organizations that are doing important justice work - LINK HERE to see what our dance classes are contributing to in 2020.

Many in our community have also answered the call to take part in a book group working through, "Me & White Supremacy: Combat Racism, Change the World and Become a Good Ancestor" by Layla F. Saad. 

It feels both essential and inspiring to be doing this work together as a community. ~ If you missed the book group invitation, I strongly encourage you to get a copy of the book and get at it (perhaps invite a group of friends or family to share the process with you).  We've been having deeply important conversations in our break out groups. Education, awareness and reckoning are essential steps towards the actions needed to create lasting change. 

I inquired with Titi whether I could invite our drum & dance community to join me for this photo project as a message of solidarity, and he loves the idea.
 

How to participate:

• While we will be photographed together, each participant taking a knee is asked to write your own response to the question: "What does this gesture mean to you?" (Send your reply to me, and I will gather all replies into one document to send Titi.)
  It is essential that we are each thinking for ourselves and expressing our own hearts, as we kneel for what we believe in ~ This is not an opportunity for "optical allyship", but an opportunity to think deeply, engage our beliefs with our body, and then continue taking action.

• From Titi de Baccarat: 
  "..This project is about photography, so there is no human contact between people. The distance between the photographer and the person being photographed is over 6 feet.. For those who would like to be photographed in a group, they will have to wear masks. All precautions are taken for everyone's safety."

Where, When & Why here:

Tuesday September 29, 5:30pm at Deering Oaks Park
(Visit website for rain date, if necessary)

I chose Deering Oaks to draw awareness to the history of this place. In the "Battle of Deerings Oaks" (Sep 28, 1689) many Wabanaki people - Indigenous/First Nations peoples to this land - lost their lives and land to British colonizers. Before it was called 'Portland' this land area was called 'Machegonne' in the Micmac language. By kneeling here we offer our respect to the people who were here before us, before colonization, and whose descendants are still here.

I hope you will join in committing to participate not only in this powerful project, but also in making anti-racism a part of your life work, and lifestyle.