How do you think about history when you're living through history?
The Lawndale Pop-Up Spot had big plans for 2020. With a very successful opening exhibit last year - A Safe Place - and positive feedback from community members, we had planned and expected to open in the spring with an amazing art installation. While that was in the works, we had also built a team of teens and adults to work on our photo and oral history exhibit, Lawndale: A Living History.
Then coronavirus happened.
The accompanying lockdown meant not only did we have to postpone the art installation, after just two meetings of our photo exhibit team we had to go virtual. We also knew we'd be unable to open this exhibit in June, as planned. However, thanks to good collaborations and perseverance, we were still determined to complete the project.
Then George Floyd was murdered.
Now we are seeing amazing protests - demands for deep and lasting changes around justice and police accountability, cries for the recognition of Black Lives, and much more - and also unrest and uncertainty that has us feeling a lot of different emotions. And many people have mentioned echoes and mirrors of other times in our history, whether 1919 or 1968 or 1992.
Still, though, we are moving forward. With the photos, and the oral histories, and with associated projects -- including this blog. And right now the question we have is:
How do you think about history when you're living through history?
Over the next few weeks, we will be using this blog to explore our different perspectives and hopes -- from teens to elders and everyone in between, with photos, artwork, words, and videos.
We'd also love to hear other perspectives! If you are a Lawndalian (past or present) who would like to post a guest blog to talk about your thoughts on the above question, please let us know! We would also love to share an historical photo alongside your post! Email lawndalepopupspot@gmail.com and we'll get back to you.
We wish peace, justice, love, and wellness to you all.
<3
The Lawndale: A Living History team
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