"ON THE IMPOSSIBILITY OF FREEDOM IN A COUNTRY FOUNDED ON SLAVERY AND GENOCIDE" – Artist Dr
“On the Impossibility of Freedom in a Country Founded on Slavery and Genocide” is a performance done by artist Dread Scott that demonstrates the struggle for freedom (dreadscott.net). When looking back in this country’s history, it is clear that the African-American community has gone through a lot in their fight for freedom. They have experienced slavery, death, and have been denied their freedom. Over the years the African American community has shown their power by speaking out on issues involving oppressive governments and social and political relations. A perfect example of the struggle they faced is proven by the recorded visuals from the Civil Rights struggle in Birmingham, Alabama. It's hard not to remember the cruel way blacks were treated out in the streets. High-pressure water hoses were used by government officials to fight against the protesters. By having these non-violent protesters blasted with high jets of water, it was clear that discrimination was still alive and strong.
When looking back to this horrifying moment in this country’s history it’s clear to see where Dread Scott got his inspiration. Scott wanted to reenact this moment by putting himself in the same situation. In his performance we see Dread Scott walking toward the water fighting against the high-power blasts. He makes it clear that things, in fact, have not changed when it comes in relation the racial issues in present day when he says, “The performance references this history as a metaphor for a larger struggle for freedom and had inescapable references to present day struggles against racism, most recently witnessed on the streets of Ferguson, MO in response to the police murder of Michael Brown”. He managed to recreate the terrible events from the 1960s in order to make a statement about similar current racial issues.
References: http://www.dreadscott.net/works/impossibility-of-freedom/