Soul Artistry LLC
Photograph - by Shaquona Espinoza
The photo of a Black man’s fists handcuffed shows the anger that darker skinned Black men feel when being criminalized and targeted for simply being. The tension shown in his fists shows the anger that most white people within the systems and institutions such as prisons see when they look at or picture darker skinned men. The photo of the handcuff on one wrist and hanging freely, is to depict how Black men are not free from dehumanization and criminalization. Even when they are “free” they are not because they are continuously looked at as dangerous and as criminals. The side profile was meant to continue on the conversation of dehumanization with darker skinned Black men. It was also meant to depict how darker skinned Black men are not thought of unless they have committed or have been accused of a crime. Then they are shown in the media as being “dangerous,” a “thug,” and a criminal. All of these stereotypes continue the dehumanization of darker skinned Black men.
Shaquona Espinoza is an artist and Western Michigan University social work student who was born and raised in Kalamazoo, MI. Shaquona started painting in 2018 focusing on the simplicity of nature. She then transitioned to black and white photography in 2019 and is currently focused on the intertwining of both art and social justice.
Instagram @quonaesp_art
Facebook @ Shaquona Espinoza
For artist Shaquona Espinoza, photography is used to depict the reality of the negative effects of colorism in the Black Community. As someone who is a light skinned Black woman, she decided to use her privilege to focus on the internalized racism, criminalization and dehumanization that happens to darker skinned men and women. Before taking photos, Shaquona talked with people within her community to share their truth about their realities with colorism. When taking these photos, she decided to deface each of her subjects so that it can uphold its relatability to individuals within the Black community.
Photograph - by Shaquona Espinoza
The photo of a Black man’s fists handcuffed shows the anger that darker skinned Black men feel when being criminalized and targeted for simply being. The tension shown in his fists shows the anger that most white people within the systems and institutions such as prisons see when they look at or picture darker skinned men. The photo of the handcuff on one wrist and hanging freely, is to depict how Black men are not free from dehumanization and criminalization. Even when they are “free” they are not because they are continuously looked at as dangerous and as criminals. The side profile was meant to continue on the conversation of dehumanization with darker skinned Black men. It was also meant to depict how darker skinned Black men are not thought of unless they have committed or have been accused of a crime. Then they are shown in the media as being “dangerous,” a “thug,” and a criminal. All of these stereotypes continue the dehumanization of darker skinned Black men.
Shaquona Espinoza is an artist and Western Michigan University social work student who was born and raised in Kalamazoo, MI. Shaquona started painting in 2018 focusing on the simplicity of nature. She then transitioned to black and white photography in 2019 and is currently focused on the intertwining of both art and social justice.
Instagram @quonaesp_art
Facebook @ Shaquona Espinoza
For artist Shaquona Espinoza, photography is used to depict the reality of the negative effects of colorism in the Black Community. As someone who is a light skinned Black woman, she decided to use her privilege to focus on the internalized racism, criminalization and dehumanization that happens to darker skinned men and women. Before taking photos, Shaquona talked with people within her community to share their truth about their realities with colorism. When taking these photos, she decided to deface each of her subjects so that it can uphold its relatability to individuals within the Black community.