CultureStrike-"Visions from the inside 2" Illustration

LINK bit.ly/csvisions

This is the second time around working with the homies from CultureStrike and it is truly a blessing to learn. I learn every time I work with them. If you are not familiar with CultureStrike(CS) , they are an organization of artists from various disciplines taking their fight against injustice to artwork and culture. Instead of always telling folks what "not" to do they are showing what we can do to change the narrative around issues or people. 

In this case, its the narrative around immigrants and how they are treated. This is the second letter I received from someone who is going through or has gone through the immigration process here in the US. Many of these places are backed by private for profit corporations. Many times in the narrative of the media the conditions that these folks are facing are #$%&*( up. Last time I got a letter from a child. This time CS sent artists letters from men and transgender folks going through it.

Please check out my piece about a man who is a prime example of how some one could be injured by the guards/the system and receive little to no support. Many people die in us jails and prisons, I wonder if the practices carry over to these for profit centers processing immigrants mostly from Central America and Mexico.

Check out some of the process shots and follow Culture Strike for media interviews about the many other letters and artists involved in redefining the narrative around detention centers here in the US. It is important for people like me who are just learning about this, or folks who know nothing at all to be informed visually about what is happening. Some folks don't read, so share the artwork that CultureStrike is creating because there is a movement of folks trying to get folks free from the detention centers and to help reconnect families who've been torn apart.

Do not believe the hype about latino immigrants and stealing American jobs. American corporations specifically and explicitly started to take away jobs here because they found out they could pay people in other parts of the world a fraction, therefore making more billions for their CEOs. 

CultureStrike-"Visions from the inside" Illustration

LINK to more artwork: /bit.ly/csvisions 

So, a couple weeks back I was presented with the opportunity to collaborate again with the amazing folks over at CultureStrike. They have been keepers of the flame for effectively connecting art with movements, and trailblazers at the same time. 

With this particular project all of the artists were given letters from children who are locked up inside the many detention centers across the US. Now, if you are new to this, these centers are private owned jails/prisons where countless families are detained and kept. Sometimes they are able to advocate or have someone assisting them to get out. Other times they are left in limbo. 

Please check out my artwork there and please share the work of other artists widely. Each artist has a different style, and each artist was given a different perspective of life in the detention centers.

Some process shots from this piece

I still have so much to lean about this, but the short end of it is this: The US private companies and the government who allows it to continue are abusing these folks. Not only that, but the abuse is racially motivated because the majority of folks are brown folks from Mexico and Central America. Another thing the media will not divulge when they report on the story of latinos immigrating to the US legally or illegally is the extreme level of violence, government corruption, instability, and poverty folks are leaving-a HUGE root of these problems historically? US intervention in the respective countries. 

It is important for people like me who are just learning about this, or folks who know nothing at all to be informed visually about what is happening. Some folks dont read, so share the artwork that CultureStrike is creating because there is a movement of folks trying to get folks free from the detention centers and to help reconnect families who've been torn apart.

Do not believe the hype about latino immigrants and stealing American jobs. American corporations specifically and explicitly started to take away jobs here because they found out they could pay people in other parts of the world a fraction, therefore making more billions for their CEOs. 

Not 1 More (Poster)

A piece to support todays national day of action to say "Not One More" deportation. The whole fight to keep "immigrants" out is ridiculous because it isnt just a policy, it is a racist plan to separate families, take wealth while giving nothing back, imprison folks who migrate to work/live, and to deceive the common american who may receive only a piece of the story. I don't want to get all into it, but look up the history of California, what was Mexico. Check out NAFTA (an unfree trade agreement), and look at race and how brown people of Asian, Arab, and Latino decent are treated and demonized in the media. Also, peep the link between large banks , private prisons, and detention centers. Coincidence? Are Polish or Dutch immigrants having their families broken apart or having their doors rammed? Something to think about.

More artwork from some amazing artists here at "Not One More Deportation" a national call for art put out by NDLON- National Day Laborer Organizing Network.