#holdusdown

[anthonycfrancis]

Over the last couple months, I’ve been thinking about the accessibility of my work, especially in the face of what we have always known about those white boxes. I’m thinking about engaging love and how it’s important to make work as available to people as these shirts and just as connected to me and mine. I wanna make work that functions in many ways like these t-shirts, from love available, full of memory, all our memories. RIP to Uncle Martin and you, Mike. Peace and love to you all as the weekend comes. I hope your labor gets a break. #family #notgone #art #tshirts #holdusdown #liftemup #photography #portraiture #bodies https://www.instagram.com/p/CEuOmLjnKM-/?igshid=1sdk59zb2pb1g

[mothersgold]

Triple Speak: "Hold [us,you,it] Down"

Three different iterations of the concept of "holding down":

Christina Aguilera: Can't Hold Us Down ft. Lil Kim

meaning: being held down is synonymous with being oppressed, figuratively experiencing constraint under the weight of some social or emotional pressure.

Bow Wow ft. Omarion: Let Me Hold You Down

meaning: to be held down means to be taken care of, stood by, supported (presumably by a young rapper with shoulder length miniatures with colorful beads at the tips...)

'Culture Of Violence' Pervades Rikers' Juvenile Facilities [via NPR]

meaning: to hold it down means to comply, to understand and fall in line with the larger culture of violence within which you are powerless for 'your own good', for the sake of your (perceived) longevity.

this third example, then, is in essence to engage the second example of holding down (to give support) on your own behalf, in order to perpetuate the system of oppression exemplified in the first.

ah, i see; makes sense. 

[unavieto-blog]

#AlwaysHave #AlwaysWill #iDoThat #LiftHimUp #HoldUsDown 💯