As human beings, we are used to judging people by their outside appearances. This is one of the most common problems encountered especially in the Black community. They are being judged based on their colour and are not being allowed to showcase their own unique talents. If one saw these two carrots and were asked which one they would choose, most people would try to go for the carrot on the right because of how big its leaves are. This shows that people tend to not dive in deeper into a person or a topic to further gain more information on which one is the best but instead will choose based on outside appearance. My animation is meant to give out the message that one should not be looking at someone's appearance and immediately infer what kind of person they are but rather get to know that person while broadening your understanding about them. This deeply resonates with BIPOC people that experience discrimination based on their colour and this gives awareness into the problem.
My design highlights a defining moment in Canadian music history, specifically Black Canadian history. Toronto rapper Maestro Fresh Wes put Canadian rap on the map after releasing “Let Your Backbone Slide” in 1989. The title ‘Canadian rap artist’ was almost unheard of until Scarborough born, Weselley Williams, proved the world otherwise. Now known as the grandfather of Canadian rap, Maestro Fresh Wes brought worldwide attention to the Canadain rap scene, paving the way for other canadian rappers after him.
The Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement is a decentralized social movement to end anti-Black racism. Founded in 2013 due to the shooting of Black teenager Trayvon Martin and the shooter being acquitted of all charges. To this day, the violence against Black Americans still lives on and the deaths of Breanna Taylor and George Floyd sparked protests and demands to defund police programs. This also led to many different countries to protest internationally such as Australia, Britain, Japan, France, New Zealand, Denmark, Germany etc. For my animation, I showcased an individual with a mask indicating our current conditions with COVID-19. The sign reads “BLM” along with a raised fist indicating solidarity and unity. Finally, the dark clouds represent the dark times and struggle that Black individuals go through in not just America, but around the world.
COVID-19 is currently a prominent topic in today's society, so I thought it would be a good idea to create an animation relating to this issue. During these dark times, the constant isolation can make our mental health feel like it’s going downhill. This may cause people to feel scared, alone, confused, etc. As a result, my animation covers the basic gist around the topic regarding loneliness during COVID-19 and how our world is now digital. In the animation, you can see a person on the left texting someone around the world just a simple “Hello” message. The colours from the left side and right side are total opposites, and this shows that a single text can change the entire mood for someone. As many may feel forgotten, that text might brighten up their entire week. The general message I would like to display is that it is important to check up on your loved ones, especially during these unpresented times. Specifically in the Black community, it has been noted that a lot of people within these communities are susceptible to mental disorders. Mothers who suffer with anxiety or depression can genetically pass it down to their children. As these are lonely times, this may be the first time those children experience situations like these unknowingly or abruptly. Take the time to reach out to someone you care for, and tell them you miss and appreciate them!