In March, 2025, I was at a conference while witnessing the closing of the Department of Education with colleagues. We watched in horror as another plethora of Executive Orders were announced by the Trump administration. Back in my hotel room, I watched the documentary entitled I am not your negro and reflected on the cyclical nature of our history. We take two steps forward only to be pushed one step back, or perhaps we take one step forward only to be pushed two steps back. This body of work was created in response. It was a response of anger and frustration. I felt dumbfounded by colleges and universities submitting to the Dear Colleague letter. A colleague, Dr. Tai Edwards, Professor of History, stated the obvious as she explained to our administration, "executive orders are not laws." Unfortunately, they were punishable by the removal of funding, a punishment our students would suffer should we defy orders. This body of work, both installation and music / art video, is intended to serve as a battle cry of sorts, or at least, a reminder to fight. While institutions may be backed into corners, as individuals we must continue in resistance.
