I Just Want to Get Home | Created by Marlene Seabrook from Charleston, SC.

I Just Want to Get Home

Created by:

Marlene Seabrook from Charleston, SC

Exhibit:

Racism: In the Face of Hate We Resist

Artist Statement:

As a citizen, in general, and as the mother and grandmother of African American males, specifically, I have been disturbed for decades by blatant “profiling.” While the situation appears to be escalating, I believe that the instant availability of cameras with video capability is now revealing a long term occurrence.

When a group of young Black boys was asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” the reply of some was, “alive.” That response, even when not voiced, is in the subconscious of too many young African American males across the United States. How does a parent assure a son that his life is valuable when he has access to 24-hour cable news?

In recent years, it seems we are constantly being bombarded by the media with unwarranted death scenes - and the victims are getting younger.

In 2014, I became the great-grandmother of a precious male child, a third generation of unfairly vulnerable descendants. I could no longer remain frustrated in silence!

I have learned that my voice in textiles reaches a larger audience and decided to create a quilt which addresses profiling of Black males. The painted urban “streetscape” and explanative typography were all created on my iPad before the design was printed on fabric. The toddler on a tricycle represents a wide range of ages. The hoodie honors the memory of Trayvon Martin who wore one when he tragically became the poster child for youth killed unjustly.

This quilt is not intended to impugn the reputation of the thousands of law enforcement officers who are dedicated to their mission to protect citizens. It was created to call attention to what seems to be a troubling pattern, the killing of young Black males, many of them children, by those deemed to be their protectors: police, security officers, neighborhood watchmen.

I deliberately used camouflage fabric for borders and lettering. Maybe, if we could camouflage our children so that they could blend in with other ethnicities, they would no longer be viewed as profile targets.

2014
44"x 41"
iPad created image printed on cotton, commercial cotton, cotton batting, printed fabric; machine appliquéd and quilted.