Renowned artist and photographer Carrie Mae Weems is heading up an awareness campaign to focus on the disproportionate impact COVID 19 is having on Black, Brown and Native American Communities. Thursday, Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh issued a proclamation honoring her and the project.
He notes inequality leads to health problems in communities of color … and the pandemic is making that all too clear.
“It has shined a very bright light on the systemic issues that have impacted a number of marginalized communities, particularly communities of color – systemic racism, inequality. Those systemic problems have shown themselves in a very specific way during this pandemic.”
Weems’ project brings to light these inequities and focuses on healthy behaviors among Black, Brown and Native people.
Utilizing her artistic photography, one billboard and poster says ‘A little Distance Goes A Long Way’, while showing people close enough to spread virus. Another has a soft-focused picture of a Black man with the message, ‘Sadly, Your Most Impacted by COVID 19.’ It relates statistics showing how deadly the virus has bee on people of color:
- Atlanta 80% of Deaths
- Chicago 72%
- Illinois 58%
- Louisiana 70%
- Michigan 41%
- New York 23%
- Wisconsin 73%
Weems argues inequity across society leads to other injustices as well.
“This health care crisis is also linked to escalating violence that is ricocheting unfortunately through our community. They are all linked; in that connection is where we really find the depths of inequity and therefore, where we have to focus our attention.”
Weems project, Resist COVID: Take Six, includes materials to distribute within communities of color. And now she’s looking for help from the community to have an impact.
“The thing I need from all of you the most is getting this important information into the hands of the people who need it. It doesn’t mean anything if it simply sits on a billboard. We’ve developed shopping bags, church fans, … buttons and bows, all those things to get to the people who need them.”
She invites collaborations with other groups to help distribute the various items.
Weems is Artist in Residence at Syracuse University. She involved many other artists and the project has drawn attention in Harlem, Dallas, Philadelphia, Atlanta, and other cities.