Firstly, thank you for facilitating this class; this was a wonderful introduction to the course as well as to the genius of Arthur Jafa :). What I find interesting about this particular work is Jafa’s commitment to telling a complete story through the implementation of contrasting themes: light and darkness, western and diasporic spirituality, rebellion and acquiescence, existing on Earth while engaging with the underworld. I agree with him that Blackness is fascinating, and altogether diverse, wherein we are not bound to the monolithic beliefs of believing or behaving in any particular way. I also love that he doesn’t view his work to be a means of uplift, but rather encourages the viewer to allow their gaze to be taken under and to see that beauty resides there as well. Throughout the exhibit, there appears to be an overarching, rhythmic theme of violence as a few of the works display graphic crime scenes, and several of the subjects are seen holding some form of weaponry. It made me wonder if we are not to solely focus on the act, but what ensues following the destruction. Almost as if he is encouraging the viewer to consider, “this terrible thing has happened; what now? What does this mean, and what does it change?” Additionally, upon viewing those who have found themselves in these circumstances, it lends one to engage with the theme of sonder that Jafa admits to using in his work. Lastly, one very specific contrast that stood out to me were the photos of Marcus Garvey and Jimi Hendrix, both being accompanied but for protective reasons that are supremely dissimilar. I have the knowledge that in the former’s photo, he is being escorted to prison whereas Jimi is being protected for his celebrity; it just leads me to think on the ways that Black life is preserved when it is of use for public consumption, or when it needs to be sustained to have punishment executed upon it for the satisfaction of a sinister power. Again, thank you for giving art nerds a space to congregate; I look forward to our lessons and discussions in the future!