When Tyrell and I first started working on the concept for the Right To Exist originally it was called the Right To Breathe. While that concept spoke to social issues around the time of the death of George Floyd I felt like it did not speak to the changes going on and also more importantly the changes that are required moving forward. In the wake of the death of George Floyd and the pandemic what I found to be most inspiring was the diverse people that were suddenly protesting police brutality that had plagued black and brown communities for far too long. So we ultimately decided it was best to tell that story and find a way to beautifully paint that picture. As fate would happen Tyrell submitted the piece for the Collective Arts Brewing Amplified Voices Series and the wonderful piece we worked on to help us and main others is now going to be used to help inspire many others. I always felt like art could move people in ways that words simply could not and this piece is further proof of that. Below is the piece I wrote for Tyrell along with some pictures of the piece featured on Collective Arts Brewing beer cans and merchandise.
My good friend Kennan and I came up with the concept behind the Right to Exist piece. The concept was inspired by a discussion about the right to breathe after the murder of George Floyd. After a few rounds of brainstorming Kennan and I thought we should do something that could be more inclusive of everyone. So he came up with the concept of Right to Exist. After hearing his idea I immediately thought of something that would help get our point across by making our own version of Mount Rushmore that would stand out, signify power, and uplift those who saw it. So I went with the Black Power Fist carved out of the mountainside. I wanted to show people of different races and gender coming together to show unity. As Martin Luther Jr. said, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere”. That is why it has been so encouraging to see all of the people united during the protests because the only way we can overcome injustice is together. We are all fighting for the right to exist so it was important to show everyone together, unified fighting for what is rightfully ours FREEDOM.
