Why Black Art for Your Home

Why Black Art for Your Home

By Robert Lloyd

The importance of African Americans displaying art by and about their culture in their homes is paramount for providing identity to their children, as well as educating them on the history and heritage of the African diaspora. Hanging artwork that reflects a positive image of blackness can help foster self-esteem in children who may otherwise feel disconnected from or misrepresented by mainstream media. Additionally, it provides an opportunity for parents to teach lessons about resilience, pride and perseverance in times when many communities are facing adversity due to systemic racism.

For generations prior to us, our ancestors have been denied access into museums or galleries where they could learn more about our cultural roots; however today we have access through technology which has opened up new avenues for exploration without leaving home. By hanging artwork that celebrates various aspects of black life such as music, dance and fashion within one’s own home gives families a chance explore these topics together while also instilling values like respect for diversity within younger generations. Furthermore this helps create conversations around race relations with family members who might not understand why certain issues are important but can be exposed through visual representation.

In conclusion, hanging artworks created by African American artists on walls at home allows individuals from all backgrounds including those from minority groups, to gain insight into what makes up a unique culture. It serves both educational purposes – teaching people how different cultures interact-and personal ones – helping build self esteem among young people whose identities may be underrepresented elsewhere. Through this practice we will continue celebrating Black excellence while inspiring others towards greatness regardless of skin color.

Why Black Art for Your Home

Why Black Art for Your Home

By Robert Lloyd

The importance of African Americans displaying art by and about their culture in their homes is paramount for providing identity to their children, as well as educating them on the history and heritage of the African diaspora. Hanging artwork that reflects a positive image of blackness can help foster self-esteem in children who may otherwise feel disconnected from or misrepresented by mainstream media. Additionally, it provides an opportunity for parents to teach lessons about resilience, pride and perseverance in times when many communities are facing adversity due to systemic racism.

For generations prior to us, our ancestors have been denied access into museums or galleries where they could learn more about our cultural roots; however today we have access through technology which has opened up new avenues for exploration without leaving home. By hanging artwork that celebrates various aspects of black life such as music, dance and fashion within one’s own home gives families a chance explore these topics together while also instilling values like respect for diversity within younger generations. Furthermore this helps create conversations around race relations with family members who might not understand why certain issues are important but can be exposed through visual representation.

In conclusion, hanging artworks created by African American artists on walls at home allows individuals from all backgrounds including those from minority groups, to gain insight into what makes up a unique culture. It serves both educational purposes – teaching people how different cultures interact-and personal ones – helping build self esteem among young people whose identities may be underrepresented elsewhere. Through this practice we will continue celebrating Black excellence while inspiring others towards greatness regardless of skin color.

Bob’s Tuesday African American Portrait

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art published a new book: Black American Portraits. I seem to have missed the publication deadline as none of my portraits appear to be in the book.

So to keep you up to date I will be publishing an African American portrait every Tuesday.

MLK Marcher 2023

Bob’s Tuesday African American Portrait

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art published a new book: Black American Portraits. I seem to have missed the publication deadline as none of my portraits appear to be in the book.

So to keep you up to date I will be publishing an African American portrait every Tuesday.

Carl Richardson Spokane WA 2016 By Robert J. Lloyd

Bob’s Tuesday African American Portrait

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art published a new book: Black American Portraits. I seem to have missed the publication deadline as none of my portraits appear to be in the book.

So to keep you up to date I will be publishing an African American portrait every Tuesday.

2011 By Robert J. Lloyd
Rev. Lonnie Mitchell 2011 By Robert J. Lloyd

Art and Music After 80 Part 2

Homage to the Past, Hope & Inspiration for the Future

Black Women are inspiring their peers and other generations to break the stereotypes that are often associated with aging. The idea for this work comes from a Chicago Black women’s band The KCR Ensemble, led by 75 year old guitarist Rita Hassell and managed by her husband Oliver Hassell.

Here they are:
https://www.youtube.com/results? search_query=youtu.be%2FX3KYqgv2vWY

The art is not portraits of the KCR Ensemble members, but follows the pattern of and pays homage to these women who are playing the classics, the music from the diaspora, contemporary and futuristic jazz.

The images pay homage to art that has gone before, art media, and cutting edge art of today.

Now the work is available in our concert halls and internet venues.

Art and Music Swinging After 80

Homage to the Past, Hope & Inspiration for the Future

Black Women are inspiring their peers and other generations to break the stereotypes that are often associated with aging. The idea for this work comes from a Chicago Black women’s band The KCR Ensemble, led by 75 year old guitarist Rita Hassell and managed by her husband Oliver Hassell. Here they are:
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=youtu.be%2FX3KYqgv2vWY

The art is not portraits of the KCR Ensemble members, but follows the pattern of and pays homage to these women who are playing the classics, the music from the diaspora, contemporary and futuristic jazz.

The images pay homage to art that has gone before, art media, and cutting edge art of today.

Bob’s Tuesday African American Portrait

I just received a very nice book that was just published by the Los Angeles County Museum of Art: Black American Portraits. I seem to have missed the publication deadline as none of my portraits appear to be in the book.

So to keep you up to date I will be publishing an African American portrait every Tuesday. See you on Tuesdays!

Mobilizing or Organizing After the Marches or Rallies

How I See It by Bob Lloyd

There are mobilizers and there are organizers. The demonstrations you have seen and participated in for George Floyd here and across the globe have been successful mobilization events. What is needed now is grassroot organization.

The map on the left are the communities in Spokane where this discussion needs to take place. Suggestions of what you can do in your community are at this link: Mobilizing to Organizing

Sunday June 7, 2020 started off at 10:30 am with meditation and yoga exercises at the Red Wagon. At 2:00 pm the NAACP had one of the largest outside rallies in Spokane’s history. The tone of this rally was set by Kurtis Robinson, Kiantha Duncan, and Le’Taxione. Kurtis Robinson welcomed a large standing crowd at the Lilac Bowl. Kiantha Duncan followed asking everyone to sit down on the grass and center themselves. She had three messages that she wanted to deliver to three groups of people. She thanked all who showed up to nonviolently express their outrage and disappointment with police brutality throughout the country. If there were those who came looking for trouble with signs with hateful speech, she wanted them to take those signs and sit on them. Then she called upon all law enforcement agents to obey the law and treat all demonstrators with respect and human dignity. My observation was that there were no visible signs of law enforcement. Le’Taxione told the audience that he was not speaking to make anybody feel good, he was there to express his strong objections to brutality and the status quo. But he made it quite clear he and the youth he brought would not allow anybody to hijack this peaceful demonstration. If so, they would be escorted out of town. These photographs bear witness to the unified desire that everyone should receive equal justice.

After your demonstrations at the Red Wagon or City Hall you could:

  • Ask 5 of your new or trusted friends for their email addresses and mobile phone numbers so you can set up a meeting regularly via Zoom to discuss strategies and planned measurable actions. Assign someone to send information about the measurable actions you plan to info@4comculture.com so they can be shared at the website 4comculture.com. Hopefully when the city opens up and you can have meetings in public places such as coffee shops you will be able to have these discussions face-to-face.
  • If you can find 4 people that will accompany you to an arterial in your neighborhood each could stand on a corner displaying their signs for an hour or more
  • Walk up and down the block or cul-de-sac where you live with your sign and handout sharing why you march and what others can do to help. This is something you can do alone.
  • Stand in front of the house you live in with your sign and have a discussion about why you march with anybody that will join you. Have two socially distant chairs nearby.

Being Black I am always visible! I am asking you to shed your invisibility.

History Lesson On Organizing

Kwame Ture: Converting the Unconscious to Conscious