{"id":209136,"date":"2022-03-01T13:48:20","date_gmt":"2022-03-01T18:48:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/arts\/?p=209136"},"modified":"2022-03-04T16:22:38","modified_gmt":"2022-03-04T21:22:38","slug":"black-wall-street-art-makes-case-for-reparations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/arts\/2022\/03\/01\/black-wall-street-art-makes-case-for-reparations\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Black Wall Street\u2019 Art Makes Case for Reparations"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>A new art exhibition at ÌÇÐÄvlog,\u00a0<strong><em>Black Wall Street: A Case for Reparations<\/em><\/strong>, is sparking challenging conversations around issues of social justice and contributing to the growing work around the century-ago Tulsa Race Massacre, a footnote in U.S. history despite being among the country\u2019s worst instances of racial violence.<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"Video: Black Wall Street: A Case for Reparations\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/3oIfZjENZjk?feature=oembed\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen style=\"width: 500px; height: 281px; border: 0px solid #000;\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>In a panel discussion on February 22, the artist, painter and filmmaker Ajamu Kojo, described the motivation behind the series of large-scale paintings installed in the George Segal Gallery, with University academics providing the context to the historic events of 1921, its depiction in the arts and call for long overdue reparations for the descendants of victims.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHistorically, this event was suppressed and not found in American history textbooks for over 60 years,\u201d said College of Humanities and Social Sciences Associate Dean Leslie Wilson. \u201cAgainst this backdrop, the beautiful and dignified artwork of Ajamu Kojo captures the wealth, dignity and community of the people of Tulsa\u2019s Greenwood district.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The series was inspired by the life and testimony of Olivia Hooker, a Greenwood survivor, who Kojo was able to interview before she died in 2018 at the age of 103. \u201cShe gave me her blessing to use her likeness for the centerpiece of this exhibition,\u201d Kojo said.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"responsive-image-holder wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/responsive-media\/cache\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2022\/03\/021622_1142_CART-University-Galleries-Black-Wall-Street-scaled.jpeg.5.1x.generic.jpg\" alt=\"University Galleries Director Megan C. Austin discussing a painting\" data-original-image=\"\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2022\/03\/021622_1142_CART-University-Galleries-Black-Wall-Street-scaled.jpeg\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">University Galleries Director Megan C. Austin discusses the painting \u201cBlack Blood, No.10: In the spirit of B.C. &amp; Mollie Parker Franklin family\u201d with Susan Head \u201975 MA, a member of the College of the Arts Advisory Board.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Each portrait is framed by a black tar-like drip in the outer edges of the panel, a nod to Oklahoma\u2019s crude oil that was a source of Greenwood\u2019s thriving culture and wealth in spite of strong segregation laws.<\/p>\n<p>Others have interpreted the dripping edges as foreboding the ominous events to come, Kojo said.<\/p>\n<p>In 1921, a white mob burned down Greenwood, riled by rumors that a black teenager had assaulted a white woman. \u201cAn entire community was destroyed, with hundreds injured, more killed and at least 4,000 arrested by the Oklahoma National Guard,\u201d Wilson said. \u201cNo whites were arrested as it was believed that the African Americans were the aggressors. Many of the African American dead were buried in mass unmarked graves. Reparations were paid to a white store owner whose guns were stolen. No compensation from the state or insurance companies was extended to the African American community.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Despite years of lobbying, it was only in recent years that Oklahoma agreed to some investment in Greenwood and presented medals to the then 188 survivors.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cFor me, it was not enough that people got a brass medal,\u201d said Kojo who turned to his canvases to honor the survivors and descendants with the series of paintings that capture the \u201cblack excellence\u201d and the prosperity of Greenwood residents. The artist called on professionals from his Brooklyn neighborhood \u2013 artists, lawyers, entrepreneurs \u2013 to pose and represent the characters in the pieces, designing the sets and wardrobes for portraits that pay homage to a reimagined past.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"responsive-image-holder wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/responsive-media\/cache\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2022\/03\/021622_2106_CART-University-Galleries-Black-Wall-Street-scaled.jpeg.5.1x.generic.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-original-image=\"\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2022\/03\/021622_2106_CART-University-Galleries-Black-Wall-Street-scaled.jpeg\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Emilia Dominguez, a junior Illustration and Business major, discusses the work with a visitor at the opening of Black Wall Street: A Case for Reparations. Dominguez says she finds the paintings \u201ccaptivating and emotionally engaging.\u201d<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>In response to a question about the meaning of being Black in America today, Wilson said, \u201cThe role of Black people is to take their pain and transfer their pain into signs of love and hope and aspiration. It\u2019s a burden, but Black Americans have carried that burden for 400 years. Everyone is doing it in their own personal ways. What we\u2019re looking at now is a moment of positive, hopeful change and a period of transition.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>While the exhibition neither ignores or denies the trauma experienced by Black Americans, Kojo said he purposefully focused his portraits on the thriving commerce and family life in Greenwood.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhen you walk through that exhibit you come out empowered,\u201d said Psychology Professor Saundra Collins, \u201cto elevate and keep reminding Black people to rise up.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>The exhibition is on view until April 23<\/strong>. The Segal Gallery is open Tuesday \u2013 Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For additional information, visit the University Galleries website at\u00a0<a rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"http:\/\/montclair.edu\/galleries\" target=\"_blank\">montclair.edu\/galleries<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<h2>Photo Gallery<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"responsive-image-holder wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/responsive-media\/cache\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2022\/03\/021622_1427_CART-University-Galleries-Black-Wall-Street-scaled.jpeg.5.1x.generic.jpg\" alt=\"Ajamu Kojo poses with the model featured in the painting behind them.\" data-original-image=\"\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2022\/03\/021622_1427_CART-University-Galleries-Black-Wall-Street-scaled.jpeg\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Ajamu Kojo with the woman who sat for his painting, \u201cBlack Blood, No.13: In the spirit of Mme. Nannie Ora Smith, Proprietress\/Business Person\/Cosmetologist.\u201d<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"responsive-image-holder wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/responsive-media\/cache\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2022\/03\/021622_1137_CART-University-Galleries-Black-Wall-Street-scaled.jpeg.5.1x.generic.jpg\" alt=\"An attendee walking in the gallery\" data-original-image=\"\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2022\/03\/021622_1137_CART-University-Galleries-Black-Wall-Street-scaled.jpeg\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">The large-scale paintings pay homage to Black Americans as the artist reimagines the lives of Black professionals before the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"responsive-image-holder wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/responsive-media\/cache\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2022\/03\/022222_7566_University-Galleries-Black-Wall-St-scaled.jpeg.5.1x.generic.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-original-image=\"\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2022\/03\/022222_7566_University-Galleries-Black-Wall-St-scaled.jpeg\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A panel discussion, \u201cBlack Wall Street: A Model for Greatness,\u201d featured from left, University Galleries Director Megan C. Austin; Psychology Professor Saundra Collins; Artist Ajamu Kojo; College of Humanities and Social Sciences Associate Dean Leslie Wilson; Dance Professor Michael Allen and Psychology Professor Sandra Lewis.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"responsive-image-holder wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/responsive-media\/cache\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2022\/03\/021622_2093_CART-University-Galleries-Black-Wall-Street-scaled.jpeg.5.1x.generic.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-original-image=\"\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2022\/03\/021622_2093_CART-University-Galleries-Black-Wall-Street-scaled.jpeg\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">University President Jonathan Koppell talks with the artist during the opening reception for Ajamu Kojo\u2019s\u00a0<em>Black Wall Street: A Case for Reparations<\/em>\u00a0at the George Segal Gallery. The exhibition runs until April 23.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Paintings inspire lessons of an overlooked history, conversations on racism and justice<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":23,"featured_media":209137,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,13],"tags":[14,116,117],"class_list":["post-209136","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news-and-announcements","category-75_university-galleries","tag-art","tag-black-history","tag-social"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/arts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/209136","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/arts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/arts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/arts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/23"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/arts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=209136"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/arts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/209136\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":209138,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/arts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/209136\/revisions\/209138"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/arts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/209137"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/arts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=209136"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/arts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=209136"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/arts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=209136"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}