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[myafricanfoodfriends]

Dia da Consciencia Negra

There are many ways of resisting and fighting against the pervasiveness of racism in our societies. On the evening of November 20th, along with the performances and presentations given at an event hosted by Forum Brasil // AfroPolitan Berlin, food became an equally potent expression of resilience. I took a few pictures of the delicious Brazilian dishes on offer.

The message that my friend and artist, Isaiah Lopaz, wrote, began with the question, “Have you heard of Forum Brasil?” Forum Brasil is a community space in Kreuzberg, which celebrates the various cultural expressions of Brazilian identities in Berlin. Under a new initiative, AfroPolitan Berlin, they host events, courses and workshops, and offer capoeira, theatre and dance classes.

Isaiah invited me to attend an event, Dia da Consciencia Negra, or “Black Awareness Day,” where he would be presenting his very popular art project, “Things You Can Tell Just By Looking At Him.” The event was hosted to honour the courage, the lives and legacy of the people that fought and defied their enslavement by forming and defending their quilombos. Quilombos were settlements whose existence was a direct rebellion against and resistance to the contemporary established and normalised system of African slavery. The first of these are said to have developed in the mid-16th century, and the exact date of the event - the 20th of November - is the day that marks the death of two of the most famous quilombola warriors, Ganga Zumba and Zumbi. An altogether very humbling and significant occasion.

The evening’s performances were punctuated by dinner, which was the first time I’d ever tried Brazilian food. We had feijoada (beans), rice, ximxim de galinha (chicken stew), crème de milho (corn porridge), farofa (cassava flour, olive oil, onions and salt), and salada/mohlo vinaigrette. If you were brave enough, you could add a bit of the extremely fiery chili. (It was mind-blowlingly hot! I mean, just look at it...)

I feel lucky to have been present that night. It was a very fitting way to be introduced to Brazilian heritage and to the community in Berlin that maintains this.

[myafricanfoodfriends]

Dia da Consciencia Negra, hosted by AfroPolitan Berlin // Forum Brasil, featuring the beautiful Isaiah Lopaz and his project, “Things You Can Tell Just By Looking At Him.” Stay updated by following his blog, Him Noir

[himnoir-blog]

“I’m gay I can’t be racist”, color photograph by Isaiah Lopaz, 2016. Photographed by Richard Hancock. All rights reserved. 

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“And when do you go back”, color photograph by Isaiah Lopaz, 2016. Photographed by Richard Hancock. All rights reserved. 

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“I didn’t know you are gay, you are black”, color photograph by Isaiah Lopaz, 2016. Photographed by Richard Hancock. All rights reserved. 

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“It’s 2014 No One Cares If You’re Black White Or Green”, color photograph by Isaiah Lopaz, 2016. Photographed by Richard Hancock. All rights reserved. 

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“I never had sex with a black guy before”, color photograph by Isaiah Lopaz, 2016. Photographed by Richard Hancock. All rights reserved. 

[himnoir-blog]

“Even though you’re black you’re really beautiful”, color photograph by Isaiah Lopaz, 2016. Photographed by Richard Hancock. All rights reserved.