I have always been someone who is a strong believer of equality for all and will stand up and say my part to shut down ignorance, racism, homophobia, et cetera. This image is something I have seen around before and I have always loved it and what it has to say about the Black Lives Matter movement.

The subject remains fearless and calm, defending her beliefs and perspective as the men are armored and likely armed. In a way, the subject, Ieshia Evans, looks far more powerful despite wearing every day clothing.

It is something to truly think about; why do these men feel the need to arm themselves and wear protective gear against a person who isn’t armed and isn’t armored? It says a lot about the movement and irrational fear/ thought process of those on the opposing end of Evans and her allies. It is also interesting to see how much force is used on the participants of the movement and their allies; the excessive force is what led to the movement in the first place.

All-in-all, this photograph is, by far, one of the most powerful and chilling captures. The voice within it is extremely moving, the story even more powerful. Photographs like such (which capture history) are important to the recording of what is presently occurring in the world and to bring awareness to such events.

 

Text inspired by Teju Cole

https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/31/magazine/the-superhero-photographs-of-the-black-lives-matter-movement.html

With this project, I wanted to do something bigger than the literal definition of altered perception. Sure, there are illnesses and disorders that can alter the victim’s perception in a literal sense, but there are also those that do this in a different way. I chose to use PTSD and my personal experiences with it to show how it can affect a person’s perception and to bring awareness to these events.

This project may be triggering or uncomfortable to some, but I would still hope it can shed light on these occurrences as well as give power to those who have also fallen victim to this.

As a child, I was victim to sexual trauma, which triggered a handful of mental illnesses, including PTSD. Sometimes my body will act or react in ways I can’t explain and sometimes don’t even notice. Along with this, I have spent majority of my life feeling this looming presence of that trauma and triggering events would only make me fall back into that moment as if I am going through it all over again.

I chose to title this work “Body” because PTSD (in my case) alters the way I look and feel about my body. I am not talking about insecurity or the desire to be covered (in shame), but rather a much worse scenario. Although it happened some fourteen years ago, I look at my body and feel it happening again, like hands ghosting around and putting weight and fear on my shoulders