How is it that hate makes you love harder? How can one find positivity during such an unsettling time in history? How is it possible that I’m creating designs that contradict everything that I am currently feeling? Daily, I find myself thinking about things like violence, anger, aggression…things that go against everything that love represents.
Well, at least I think it does.
2020 has been a year of confusion, hurt, stress, and fear. I never imagined I’d live through a global pandemic that has shut down most of the world for the better part of the year. I never, EVER, imagined that my father would be a casualty of this pandemic, even with his preexisting conditions.
On top of dealing with a public health crisis, black people had to watch yet another black man murdered by police brutality. The media repeatedly showed us images of a group of cops killing an unarmed, non-violent black man. A part of me wonders if there was a message in this continuous circulation. Was the purpose to help incite empathy so that others would finally feel our pain? Regardless, many of my people wanted to shut down the video simply because of what it represents: another public killing of a black man. Nothing new. Just another day in America.
This is America.
Soooo… how in the world am I able to focus on love at such a delicate time? We’re one more tragic event (ahem - presidential election) away from having another civil war. We’re one “Karen” away from all hell breaking loose. Not to mention the safety concerns that I have for myself and my three black sons. I can’t forget my responsibility to protect my beautiful black queen. It’s all been constantly racing through my mind. So how did “Love” become my go to? How Sway?!?!?!
I must give ALL credit to God. I’ve experienced some challenges in the past 24 months that I never seen coming, but those challenges have allowed me to mature. They have forced me to change my perspective when situations seemed hopeless. This pandemic and the racial tension we’re facing has served me with an opportunity to clearly see that love truly does conquer all hate.
Acts of hate won’t help. It’ll be a quick fix for the extreme emotions we are feeling, but it will be like pouring gasoline on a raging fire. You don’t put out fire with fire. You use something that counters the heat. Love is the water that we need to put an end to the fires raging in our world.
The “Love” illustration is hopefully a drop that becomes a part of a larger movement to push love over hate. I hope the organic shape, bold lines and vibrant colors stop you in your tracks and makes you wonder what the artist was thinking while creating this piece. I hope it ultimately leads you to show unconditional love and support to everyone you encounter.
