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Chicago Tag

Through the Portal- Sept 20-22nd (Chicago)

Hey fam If you will be in the Chicago area this weekend, go check out the “Through the Portal” conference which is bringing together activists & artists 2 discuss how we fix this shit we’re in, meaning how we use artwork to build political power and make tangible changes in the US and the world.

There will be hella speakers, workshops, panels, art, and more! A crew of artists and organizers I’ve been working with called “Artists for Radical Imagination” will be in the house leading a workshop space.

MORE INFO HERE

if you’re curious there are some videos about abolition, solidarity economy, and climate justice on Haymarket books youtube.

Dig this? check out this contribution to a direct action for Palestine

September 17, 2024
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Black Work Talk Podcast- Chicago Teacher’s Strike

“The function of schools for those who are in power is never to liberate those who attend them” -Stacey Davis Gates

This podcast is about the historic teachers strike in Chicago, the racial politics of school closures in predominantly Black and Brown neighborhoods, the privatization of education, and organizing.  And it immediately makes me think of school closures here in Oakland California, and in cities like New Orleans which were taken advantage of after hurricane Katrina.

LINK TO LISTEN

Stacey Davis Gates: 

Stacy Davis Gates is the president of the Chicago Teachers Union and the executive vice president of the Illinois Federation of Teachers. Before her election as president in 2022, Davis Gates had served as vice president and as political and legislative director. In the Fall 2019, she helped to lead a 15-day strike and to negotiate an historic contract that provides for smaller class sizes, ensures a nurse and social worker in every Chicago public school, secures sanctuary protections for immigrant families, and supports students and families experiencing homelessness. In 2017, Ms. Davis Gates was elected Chair of United Working Families, an independent political organization by and for working-class people and our movements. She also serves as a board member for the Action Center on Race & the Economy (ACRE). Currently she is on leave from teaching high school social studies, which she did for more than a decade.

If you dig this check out the art from the Oakland Teacher’s Strike
September 22, 2022
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Gift Box Feature 2- Los Amigos Books (Chicago)

Continuing with this series shouting out some of the companies that have shown me love, here is another Gift/Book box that has featured some of my stuff in it. “Los Amigos Books” which is a family and Latina owned business based out of Chicago. They sell books and book subscriptions that specifically focuses on Spanish and bilingual children’s books! They started as a pop up shop and they now have a booming online store and a brick and mortar storefront in Chicago. 
This an image from one of their subscription based book boxes featuring some of my book marks and stickers alongside some great books for ages 7-9. More info here
This is a shot of their Instagram which shows the grand opening of their shop in the Berwyn neighborhood of Chicago. Pull up on them if you’re in the area. If not, get books for your kids, classroom, or friends online. Thank you to owner Laura for including my work in these beautiful boxes!

If you’re a gift/book box owner, or you have a store (online/brick and mortar) and would like to get some of my merch into your store give me a holler. Did you catch the post about the last book box that featured my merch? Here it is: Get The Bag 
June 11, 2022
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tbt – Ceasfire characters

 

This is a throwback to these characters I drew inspired by real life people in the documentary film “The Interrupters”. If you haven’t seen it I would highly recommend it. This came out many years ago and I painted these awhile ago. As an outsider I have no idea if its gotten worse or better in Chicago, but I know the gang violence was HEAVY. Heavy like LA in the 80s/90s. And I just loved seeing these folks highlighted who had been in the life out there trying to make a change n the midwest.
Peep the individual Characters:
Recent interview w/ Ameena

Here’s a TED talk Eddie gave

Soapbox: Do not fall for the line that gang violence is completely on those who bang. If you do not talk about structural racism, the history of violence in this country, Capitalism (because it is tied to $$$), and Patriarchy you are not seeing the full picture.
June 6, 2022
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Character 113 – Cobe ( Cease Fire)

Cobe handled a situation with a young man who was about to go get involved in some funk incredibly. He calmly talked to the brother, took his mind to other options, and he checked up on him regularly. Cobe seems like the family man. As part of the Cease Fire crew, he like all of them are putting their lives on the line when intervening between hostile situations.
 I re-watched the ITVS documentary “The Interrupters” about a team of Black and Latino ex-gang members and cats called “Ceasefire” who lived the life and are now acting as agents of change. They find situations where there is evidence of long standing beefs, an insult, a stare, a look, anything that could set it off-and they step in. I don’t claim to have a complete understanding of “Ceasefire”, but what they and so many others have been doing to stop us from killing each other is inspiring. Don’t let anyone tell you people of color ain’t out there trying to stop the violence; that we only get upset when a cop murders. It’s not true. Please watch the Interrupters here: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/film/interrupters/

August 2, 2016
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Character 112 – Ameena (Cease Fire)

This a caricature of Ameena. She’s one of the “Interrupters”. She grew up with a father who was heavy into the gangs of Chicago which date way far back. She was in the life, selling, partying, and wilding out. Ameena’s courage and gift of gab impressed me in the documentary. Speaking as someone who was also banging she speaks from experience and with authority that folks just listen to. I re-watched the ITVS documentary “The Interrupters” about a team of Black and Latino ex-gang members and cats called “Ceasefire” who lived the life and are now acting as agents of change. They find situations where there is evidence of long standing beefs, an insult, a stare, a look, anything that could set it off-and they step in. I don’t claim to have a complete understanding of “Ceasefire”, but what they and so many others have been doing to stop us from killing each other is inspiring. Don’t let anyone tell you people of color ain’t out there trying to stop the violence; that we only get upset when a cop murders. It’s not true. Please watch the Interrupters here: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/film/interrupters/
July 28, 2016
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Character 111-Eddie (Cease fire)

Eddie is one of many guys who lived, took life,  is giving back life, and survived “the life” (violence) in Chicago where hundreds have died yearly. I re-watched the ITVS documentary “The Interrupters” about a team of Black and Latino ex-gang members and cats called “Ceasefire” who lived the life and are now acting as agents of change. They find situations where there is evidence of long standing beefs, an insult, a stare, a look, anything that could set it off-and they step in. I don’t claim to have a complete understanding of “Ceasefire”, but what they and so many others have been doing to stop us from killing each other is inspiring. Don’t let anyone tell you people of color ain’t out there trying to stop the violence; that we only get upset when a cop murders. It’s not true. 
Please watch the Interrupters here: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/film/interrupters/

July 28, 2016
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Chicago Teachers-Rebel Diaz


Nuff props to Rebel Diaz, “Response-ability”

They rather put the kids in jail
Shackle em with chains
Then provide an education
to challenge the brain
-Rod Star

Inspiring

September 14, 2012
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