Jan Mijtens Portrait of Margaretha van Raephorst with Servant (detail) Holland (c. 1650)

There are people who do want to turn the clock back. We knew they existed. We did not know how many of them, we lived in the bubble of our comfortable existence and lacked imagination just as much as contact with Trump voters or contact with those who feared his win all along. We perhaps slung around terms like white identity politics, but honestly had no clue. At our own peril. Worse, at the peril of those who pay a higher price, here and in the world at large. Privilege permitted ignorance.

Joseph Wright A Conversation Between Girls (1770)

I call those who do want to turn the clock back the immoral majority. Today’s oil portraits depict Black children who were servants, slaves or toys and, most of all, commodities that could be bought and sold.  The paintings might stimulate the phantasies of racists, even when they hesitate to admit it. Although obviously, that shame has evaporated for some, now that Sauron, who currently has the ring, allows them to make their views public.

 

 

 

 

Peter Lely Lady Elizabeth Noel Wriothesley (1660)

Pierre Mignard Portrait of Louise de Kérouaille

 

 

 

The photographic portraits, on the other hand, hopefully show the vision of the rest of us: the strength, innocence, potential of some of the most vulnerable segments of our society – something we, the moral minority, HAVE to protect.   

The images come from my work with an after school program in North Portland that is comprised of African immigrant and African American kids. They learn dancing and drumming, get instructed in their cultural history and bits of language, and are part of a whole that structures their lives and sustains them. They also get food during their rehearsals at the Salvation Army Building.

And here I am breaking protocol of some kind or another, I am sure. A fundraiser for this group is once again upon us. If you feel inclined to join me in support of these children,  go to http://www.kukatonon.org/donate-2/

and help us out.
If you feel irritated by my plea I have just one answer: Trump made me do it.