The Community Perspective: Change weighing on a generation

Also: In depth conversation with Artist/ Activist Javetta Laster

 Our community is in dire need for rejuvenation and progress. Being young and black alone is a daily challenge for many of us, but we constantly work to sustain our identities in a world built to take it from us. The answers were never written on the mirror for us and up until the last decade or so, finding positive information about our people was difficult to say the least. We have been defined by a culture that seemingly works as a skewed portrayal of who we really are in totality. Partially discounted by older generations as the black sheep of American society. Although, we are a generation that has forged change upon our arrival to adulthood, it still feels we as if are battling a society fixated on keeping this charade going for as long as possible. This is why I feel it is our duty to lift up those who are adding a coat of proverbial paint on the canvas that is our generation. They’re artist, entrepreneurs and creatives, no matter the level of their journey, who are offering soul grasping creativity, passion and innovations to the world. I take responsibility in reflecting what I desire to be seen.

 This last month has been full of lessons and observations. As the election campaigns grow closer and closer, and the actuality that Donald Trump is a serious candidate for President becomes more evident, we have seen a jolt of energy from people in their 20’s. Rightfully so, who really wants to be the generation who votes Trump into office? We are realizing what is at stake and are taking our eyes out of our smartphones to see the truth for a change. The divisive media is losing its hold on a society sick of being told who to support. In Arizona, we were able to see the energy at its highest peak when the candidates came to our little city of Tucson. Tucson is a decently progressive city but the state overall is extremely republican. I expected a decent crowd at the Bernie Sanders rally and it didn’t disappoint. It was my first opportunity to experience a political rally. Bernie was political and stood tall on the stage in front of thousands of on-lookers. The comradery in the room felt genuine and his purpose seemed directly connected to how the crowd felt. I left the Bernie Sanders rally with a new understanding of his policies, yet still somewhat on the fence of how he actually envisions completing his task.

The Arizona primary also offered the opportunity to hear from the right side. I have never been a political prisoner, shamed of looking for the best solutions and not the solution driven by a party ideology. This has made it easy for me to look at all of the candidates with an open mind. Trump’s rally was closer to WWE than a political congregation. A lot of energy was aimed towards other things and not politics. Trump was still able to clarify some of his less than favorable positions to an eager crowd. I could admire someone who could stand in the midst of the fire and still deliver their message. When I say fire, the Trump Tucson rally was full of passionate protestors ready to voice their opinion on his antimuslim and anti-mexican rhetoric, the media has continued to remind us about.

 Now from the perspective of an outsider walking pass the crowd of protestors, I did feel a sense of betrayal for a mere second. Then I realized if someone was going to tell the story why shouldn’t it be me. I wore by “Hands up. Don’t shoot” shirt as I entered and I felt so much pride in representing for our people in a place deemed as an adversary by many in my position. The protestors were energetic led by the drum action of a local artist who shows the growing passion for change by our generation. Javetta Laster is a writer, designer, photographer and so much more who sees the political spectrum as so many of our young educated people do. I was able to have a detailed discussion with her below.

 I wanted to get her take on the Trump rally as a protestor and how it felt that so many people showed up in the defense of those with no voice. I also wanted to dive into her perspective on our generation and the direction we as a people are heading. Hope you enjoy.

 Me: So how did you think the Trump protest went?

  Javetta: I think the Trump rally went as expected, Arizona is one of those places where political ideologies clash frequently so I figured someone as polarizing as him (Trump) would bring out both sides heavy. 

Me: What did the protest mean to you? 

Javetta:  The protest was really about letting people know that we’re not only fighting against today’s unfair legislation, but also against the historical/generational trauma that today’s legislation represents. It is kind of the trauma that that people like Trump are trying to continue. Especially in Tucson, which is really on the Tohono O’odham people’s land, we can’t just sit back and say nothing. We have to do what is right.

 As artist we deal with the weight of identifying with a culture that wants the world to idolize a few artists just to shun many others. Our culture is being picked apart and placed on display to people in order to be monetized but lack any connection to the roots of the art form. Javetta represents a strong root that is growing on her own and with a vision worth hearing. I wanted to take the opportunity to dive into her personal perspective and what her art represents as it matures.

 Me: So tell me some of your artistic aspirations? What are your artistic goals for 2016?

 Javetta: My artistic vision is to manifest healing into my life and for people like me who’ve had to go through personal hardships and also generational traumas. 

Javetta: My work is about us and what speaks to black women primarily. Black women have had an enormous impact in my life and as a black woman I believe I carry the ability to be just as impactful.

Me: Why do you say that? What about your fellow black women do you admire?

  Javetta: Black women are lit! Like, black women carry light. I think black people in general just have an amazing creative and healing energy in the ways we live our lives. We are innovators in every sense of the word.

I have nothing but love for that answer. I love to hear people who see what I see in our people. I have dedicated my life to trolling older generations, making sure they uphold their end of passing down information and intellect. I’ve done this in my art and ideas, I can’t support anyone downplaying our impact.

 Me: So what are your thoughts on this generation? From an artist perspective and just general observation. From a black women’s point of view?

  Javetta: Artistically, I think we’re in the beginning stages of a global black arts renaissance. The amount of artist out here pushing the boundaries in every genre and medium of art is surreal. Afrofuturism* as a whole blows my mind. People like Chance the Rapper, Cecile Emeke, Zanele Muholi, Shakeema Smalls, TheeSatisfaction and countless others are on a whole other wave right now. 
 Black artists are no longer trying to fit in to mainstream packages and it’s so good for the culture and for our unique cultures because it means we get to really explore our creativity and our perspectives. Mainstream art isn’t even the best work out there, nine times out of ten. For every mainstream artist out their people from around the way probably know at least 5 local artists that could blow that mainstream shit out of the water. And we’ve been knowing that, it is just that now people are investing resources in their local artists more and local artists are working on representing/ impacting their local communities more. So yeah, we in the beginning of a serious glow up. Especially for black women. 

Black women are on some serious work/werk right now. We ain’t playin!

 I can definitely dig that. Entrepreneurial women are pushing our people forward. Black women are graduating college at higher rates than any other people in our society and are at the forefront of the entrepreneurial boom that is needed to close the gap between our people. I was raised by a mother who was an entrepreneur and I completely understand the passion and dedication that black women put into their lives. It is astounding to see it and I hope it continues, not just for women but for black men as well. We need to take ownership of our community from the art to the businesses that surround us, so we can direct who and how our children are educated.

 Me: I appreciate amazing conversation. Do you have anything else that you would like to add? Any upcoming showcases are you involved with? 

Javetta: I have an upcoming Chapbook called Hurricane Season and it will be on www.javettalaster.tumblr.com and www.afrikweer.com. You can also find more information on my personal Facebook page. 

 Thank you for hanging in there with me! Javetta Laster Tumblr is my personal page (that needs to be updated) and afrikweer is a collective I am a part of that does visual art like photography and video projects as well as poetry and fashion design. It is about uplifting black LGBTQIA communities in the African Diaspora. 

We are undergoing a maturation process in our generation. This process is reflected in the growing consciousness of young people and the willingness to pass on education directly. No longer are we subjected to the art the media displays to us. We can dive into the intricate corners of our communities and uplift people and artist like Javetta Laster to be seen and heard like they deserve. We are a generation of achievers and overcomers who have been mis-educated for decades. We have to take back our minds and mold the next generation to be even more progressive and thoughtful than we have been. Change is in the now and we are the change. *Afrofuturism is a literary and cultural aesthetic that combines elements of science fiction, historical fiction, fantasy, Afrocentricity and magic realism with non-western cosmologies in order to critique not only the present-day dilemmas of people of color, but to also revise, interrogate, and re-examine the historical events of the past. *

Hmm!! Bold Action or Compromise

    These last 8 months the microscope has grown closer and closer on our historic president. It has slowly tilted away from the praise he was receiving in January when he was sworn in, to a more skeptical outlook on how he is handling his position. In my opinion the government can only do so much, so patience is a must, but at the same time it is hard to be patient when the unemployment rate is climbing above 10 percent in some states and the mortgage rate is at its all time high. That being said this election was not based on merit and the credentials needed to be president, but it was based on who we "the people" felt had the ability to perform the job the best. Our country has hit bad times, more so than ever, and I know by experience, because the city I sleep in is nationally becoming one of the most abandoned cities in the nation because the housing industry has completely tanked and the jobs are few to none. In Michigan the unemployment rate has hit 17 percent which is astounding, but this recession has hit many other places and some places very hard. The Hope campaign led by president Obama has not changed, but the reality of the campaign has become more than that of hope, but more so true actuality, now that his footsteps are in the sand facing the people he promised change for. In his mission to change, we have to remember it takes time and money in this world to do certain great things. Remember FDR (Franklin Deleanor Roosevelt) took an extra term to take us out the Great Depression even though people know that World War 2 was the actual cause. It seems we have a lot of doubters now that we are 8 months into a term that will ultimately transform the DNA of our society for better or for worse. Doubt does not change anything, so I advise you to do the same as Obama, either make a Bold Action or Compromise to a different lifestyle.

    We put our country in the hands of this man and his administration, why should we be scared now, why should we turn our backs now? We gave George Bush 2 terms and look what happened over his tenure. We cannot judge off this short time, never the less we have to urge President Obama to be a leader for us and not just someone who makes decisions. Also we have to realize for him to initiate a plan that will help change our economy around someone is not going to like it, it is simple as that, everybody will not be happy with the decisions Obama makes but if you read the fine print the ones who actually need the help is who he is trying to assist. Shepard Fairey, the artist who did the famous Hope Campaign poster of Obama, has released a new poster that I am intrigued by; he raises the points if President Obama will take Bold Action or Compromise to keep his likeability high on the polls. According to the polls, his likeability has dropped to 54 percent which is major since he has yet to make a year in office. I believe we have to give him a chance before we throw him under the bus, and think about the other things he has accomplished in his short time as president. We have better relations with multiple Nations that we were hated by for so long before his term started; including Russia, Turkey, and even China. He is trying to put our young single mothers back into school, and build our future by creating grant programs for kids to go to college. His impact under the radar is greater than what is publicized. Do not let the headlines blind you from some of the major things that the president and his administration have going on.

    I feel a change coming, may not be from the president himself, but this society will shortly recognize the power we have as people. It only takes a few to change the way the world sees certain things. Just think 10 years ago, we never had access to Youtube flicks of a disstressed country fighting for their rights to vote as we see over in the Middle East. Technology has taken us to a place where if we use it right this recession will be so far in our past that it won't even be mentioned in our kids history books. I am standing for Truth, and I believe that so far Obama has been truthful to the people he serves. We just have to be truthful to ourselves, do we really want to put our faith in "Man," or sacrifice a little pride and get out there and do what we have to, to survive in this world where opportunity is usually right next door to us, but we are always to scared of which opportunity it will be. Think about it…