The Art of Justice

The Art of Justice 2, panel discussion.

Last month, I had the privilege of attending Art of Justice 2: Race, Arts Funding, and the Survival of Community-Based Arts Organizations. Unfortunately, I had missed the Art of Justice 1, because it was sold out.Actually, I barely made it in to 2 - I got in by the skin of my teeth. And it was standing-room only! For good reason, too. This panel discussion, put together by the Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute (CCCADI) was incredibly thought-provoking. They have just released a short re-cap video, so I will let CCCADI's words and images speak for themselves (scroll down to see, below). But first, I would like to share with you, the gorgeous poem that they chose to open up the evening with. It struck a chord with me: 

A Short Note to My Very Critical and Well-Beloved Friends and Comrades
A poem by June Jordan

First they said I was too light

Then they said I was too dark

Then they said I was too different

Then they said I was too much the same

Then they said I was too young

Then they said I was too old

Then they said I was too interracial

Then they said I was too much a nationalist

Then they said I was too silly

Then they said I was too angry

Then they said I was too idealistic

Then they said I was too confusing altogether:

Make up your mind!

They said, Are you militant? Or sweet?

Are you vegetarian or meat?

Are you straight? Or are you gay?

And I said, Hey! It’s not about my mind.

The Art of Justice 2, presented by CCCADI at NYU's Dept. of Social and Cultural Analysis 
On March 10, 2016, we co-presented Art of Justice 2: Race, Arts Funding, and the Survival of Community-Based Arts Organizations, at New York University’s Department of Social and Cultural Analysis to a full house! Policymakers, researchers, scholars, and cultural activist came together to call for more equitable funding in the arts sector.  

Did you miss it? Watch the 2min recap video! 

https://youtu.be/OLUuwEXwVFE

#TheArtofJustice #OurFirehouse #CCCADI