RE: I'm going to be late. I love you mom! .. this is our reality. A couple of decades ago (circa early 2000s), I was visiting a dear friend in Los Angeles who was working with Veterans and helping them get housing benefits. She lived with her husband and children in an area that is called 'The Hood' and me, not fearing anything, had no problem staying with her on my visit. The love in that household could light the world. The house was immaculate, and the family embraced me as their own, and I love them all dearly for that! Those were great memories that I hold in my heart and am so thankful to have experienced. I'm proud and honored to call her family.
But this image hits home, and very close to what many live/lived with daily there. I still have visions of my friend's family member being pulled over in front of her home, and being shoved up against the wall with his hands cuffed, as the LAPD frisked him. When I saw this activity, she and I came downstairs when I asked the LAPD what was going on -- I was told to back away and get inside the house or I would be arrested as well. What did the young man do wrong? He was 'driving while black' and in the hood. Nothing more. The LAPD eventually uncuffed him and let him go with a push and a shove against the wall. That moment brought me to tears inside even though I never showed it. That moment in history made me sick to my stomach that it even happened. When I asked my friend what was going on, she said that is normal in her area, or in Los Angeles for black/African American men. (tears)
Thank you for capturing time and reality and putting this nightmare to paper for all eternity so the world can see it.
Michael I am sure that you must have been absolutely gutted by how your cartoon was interpreted the other day. You are an exquisite artist and I have followed your career since the 90’s ( even though I’m only 25 lol). It sounds to me that you really had no idea initially how this could have even been construed as rascist. Now you know . After you took a breath and a beat, you were big enough to reach out to the mayoral candidate out of respect and have a conversation about this. Wow. That says something about your character. I really hope that you and your family are all doing ok because this would be very difficult to navigate through. I hope that all parties have been able to get through this difficult situation. Your work is a testament to how much of an advocate you truly are for all of humanity, it really speaks for itself. This was an error made by a human. I truly hope that this candidate has accepted your sincere apology and that they have looked at your work as a whole and not just this one piece because I can’t imagine how sad and hurt that you and your family and friends are over this. Chin up and pencil too…you are adored by many. All the best . JS
The work of a genius! ❤️❤️
These are really powerful.
RE: I'm going to be late. I love you mom! .. this is our reality. A couple of decades ago (circa early 2000s), I was visiting a dear friend in Los Angeles who was working with Veterans and helping them get housing benefits. She lived with her husband and children in an area that is called 'The Hood' and me, not fearing anything, had no problem staying with her on my visit. The love in that household could light the world. The house was immaculate, and the family embraced me as their own, and I love them all dearly for that! Those were great memories that I hold in my heart and am so thankful to have experienced. I'm proud and honored to call her family.
But this image hits home, and very close to what many live/lived with daily there. I still have visions of my friend's family member being pulled over in front of her home, and being shoved up against the wall with his hands cuffed, as the LAPD frisked him. When I saw this activity, she and I came downstairs when I asked the LAPD what was going on -- I was told to back away and get inside the house or I would be arrested as well. What did the young man do wrong? He was 'driving while black' and in the hood. Nothing more. The LAPD eventually uncuffed him and let him go with a push and a shove against the wall. That moment brought me to tears inside even though I never showed it. That moment in history made me sick to my stomach that it even happened. When I asked my friend what was going on, she said that is normal in her area, or in Los Angeles for black/African American men. (tears)
Thank you for capturing time and reality and putting this nightmare to paper for all eternity so the world can see it.
i liked the one of Trump kneeling on Liberty's neck.
Wow. Great work. Strong.
Michael I am sure that you must have been absolutely gutted by how your cartoon was interpreted the other day. You are an exquisite artist and I have followed your career since the 90’s ( even though I’m only 25 lol). It sounds to me that you really had no idea initially how this could have even been construed as rascist. Now you know . After you took a breath and a beat, you were big enough to reach out to the mayoral candidate out of respect and have a conversation about this. Wow. That says something about your character. I really hope that you and your family are all doing ok because this would be very difficult to navigate through. I hope that all parties have been able to get through this difficult situation. Your work is a testament to how much of an advocate you truly are for all of humanity, it really speaks for itself. This was an error made by a human. I truly hope that this candidate has accepted your sincere apology and that they have looked at your work as a whole and not just this one piece because I can’t imagine how sad and hurt that you and your family and friends are over this. Chin up and pencil too…you are adored by many. All the best . JS
Brilliant!
Dyno-Mite!