From the 2020 Irwin Scholars: Black Lives Matter
We extend our support to those taking action to amplify Black voices, and affirm all those who are advocating for justice and our futures by speaking out against racial injustice, police brutality, and white supremacy.
Echoing the recent message from The Black Student Union at UCSC, not only do we mourn the deaths of Nina Pop, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, Ahmaud Arbery, and George Floyd, but the countless deaths of Black people lost during the COVID-19 pandemic as a result of institutionalized racism. Furthermore, we would like to recognize all the Black members of the LGBTQ+ community, especially Trans folx, who have needlessly died and continue to be left out of the narrative; we must do better.
At its core, art is about imagination and creation; when someone dares to imagine an alternative future they have the potential to create it. In a revolution, the first step is to imagine that things could be different and we must all find a role within the movement and strive toward that potential future. Every uprising, movement, and revolution needs artists to highlight the injustices at hand and make crucial information accessible and digestible. Art has the power to make people pay attention and care.
We understand our role as artists within this movement, but we encourage you to take the time to find your role. For some, that may mean taking to the streets in Santa Cruz and for others it may look different.
As artists, we understand how important financial generosity can be to a practice and movement. We encourage all of you who have the means to find that same generosity in your hearts to financially support all those putting their lives on the line to fight against the white supremacy currently fueling the state of our country.
#BlackLivesMatter
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The 2020 Irwin Scholars are
Aarón Martínez, Anastasia Oleson, Angel Gonzales, Chloe Murr, Dominic Ramirez, Edgar Cruz, Emma McWaid, Jocelyn Lee, Joshua Zupan, Morgan Tomfohr, Natalie Del Castillo, Rodrigo Ramos, Veriche Blackwell