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gangs Tag

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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