Seattle Academy Student Advocacy Shown Through Art

“We must dispel the notion that our "liberal bubble" somehow insulates us from racial injustice. That's why I focused my mural on the iconic Seattle Space Needle and skyline.” – Margaux Johnstone ‘21 pic.twitter.com/HcyTgLcgMV

— Seattle Academy (@SeattleAcademy) August 7, 2020

Margaux Johnstone ‘21 in talking the process of her Seattle Skyline mural shared, “Seattle never had de jure (government imposed) segregation, unlike many other cities in the US, so some people argue that racial discrimination doesn't exist here as it does in other cities. However, de facto (socially imposed) segregation profoundly impacted Seattle and was equally harmful as de jure segregation. For instance, redlining (one form of de facto segregation in Seattle) is the root of why the South End has a majority minority population and the North End has a predominantly white population. The Black Lives Matter movement is needed in Seattle just as much as it's needed in any other part of the country.”

Savannah Parker's '21 piece is inspired by both my perspective and James Baldwin’s words of wisdom; "What is it you wanted me to reconcile myself to? I was born here almost 60 years ago. I'm not going to live another 60 years. You always told me, "it takes time". It's taken my father's time, my mother's time, my uncle's time, my brother's time, and my sister's time. How much time do you want for your progress?"  Savannah states, "Everything within my mural has significance. The colors presented in the piece are red, black, and green, the color palette of the African American Flag. The Black figures represent the societal image of a Black human being. The targets represent the consistent dehumanization and criminalization that Black people are forced to endure. The dark green background represents the future of Black pride."

The words above the figures are from a poem Savannah wrote [prior to the current revolution] titled, "Yes, and.” The poem reflects the perspective of the African American struggle to stay the course. 
 
As an African American, since the day you are born, you have a target on your back, and that target remains until the day you die. Living in fear isn’t living at all, but that is the reality that I, as a Black person, was forced to accept. I’ve returned my letter of acceptance to its sender [the oppressor] because to accept is to comply, and I do not comply with continuing to watch my people die.

Throughout this emotionally creative project, students found it important to speak to the moment we are in. As Lucy Waggoner ‘20 expressed “public art can help make you feel safer when you feel represented.”

When asked to summarize, the students want to thank the SAAS Arts Department, including Annalise Olson '09, Lily Hotchkiss, and Tom Flood,  for working closely on this project and organizing this unique opportunity. They put in an extraordinary amount of effort to make this work, and they’re all huge role models of kindness, integrity, and optimism. Students also thanked Head of School, Rob Phillips, and all those who advocated and facilitated this project so students could voice their support for Black Lives Matter.

A final thank you to our students, Lucy, Savannah, Samantha, Ethan, Aminta, Maya, and Troy who shared their art with our community.