BLACK LIVES MATTER PROTEST 2020

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I’m notorious for staying--comfortably--behind the scenes; gradually, I’m coming into a place where I can own my profession out loud. The opportunity to speak here is exciting. I have worked in the Philly art scene for about two years. Prior to working with Ada, I worked within the gallery and editorial teams at InLiquid. The prominent art non-profit exclusively features local visual artists in their gallery. Her La Carvana series moved me to write a blog post on the InLiquid website. Shortly after posting, she reached out to me.

That’s how our journey began. Now, a year later, I am a professional freelance writer and creative. Also, Ada became one of my greatest friends. Our time together is an extraordinary one. We have found a rhythm unlike any other. Essentially, she translates the written and recorded stories of people in her photographs into English. It is my job to write them down eloquently. Since she walks alongside the caravans, we often spend hours sifting through (what feels like) hundreds of encounters. It’s amazing. At no point in my life could I imagine contributing to a cause as large as hers. Her work is an intersection between art and a humanitarian call for action. There are thousands of men, women, and children who are denied the opportunity to speak about their experiences. The people documented in her series often go unseen. Ada’s photography re-establishes the respect they deserve. She has taught me to see art as an act of rebellion; it combats the systems that silence the oppressed. I have come to realize that artists should always advocate for something greater than themselves. Ada’s tenacity, passion, and grit motivates me to succeed as a woman of color in the arts. It has been an honor to help her find a voice.

Little did I expect, her lens turned to my community’s struggles. I’m blessed that she has. The Black Lives Matter movement has flipped the script on our typical meetings. Normally, Ada educates me on the Latinx view of American society. Now, I can educate her on the Black experience. I would love to—physically—join her as she walks in the protest. However, I, like many others during this pandemic, have an underlying condition that is at risk of being aggravated while standing with my peers. By working with Ada, I have been given an opportunity to fight for my people…from a safe distance. I believe that it is important for all communities, not just minorities, to gather in solidarity. By working together, we can create change in innovative and invigorating ways. Our multiple voices create a variety of revolutionary outlets.

I hope that as you look at this series, you are moved to create a positive change for the future.

Words from Morgan Lloyd