I’m proud and inspired by @naileditdoc’s poster designer @ameyamarie. This generation gives me #pride and #hope. Please read her action and reflection on meeting Trump as a Presidential Scholar. #takingspace #reclaimingmytime #BLM #nailedit #naileditdoc #Repost @ameyamarie ・・・ This photo was taken only an hour before meeting Donald Trump in the White House. The names written on my pants are only a handful of the victims of police brutality in the past couple years, mostly unarmed, and the date of their deaths. In the majority of the cases, officers involved were acquitted of all charges. This past month, when I found out I was a US Presidential Scholar in Art, I was hesitant to travel to Washington, DC. In the increasingly complex social and political time that we live, where a demagogue threatens the basic human rights of many, I did not want to be complicit and I definitely did not want to be a pawn. Even though I was asked to bring two more “more formal” outfit options and asked to forgo the many pins I had stayed up all night making a couple days before, I chose to visit the White House with my fellow scholars. I chose to see Trump and Betsy Devos in person. I chose to take up space with them, the space that supposedly belongs to them. Seeing him in person, I could feel my heartbeat slow down. I asked lots of questions to the perfected all-female and all-white military aids so that they wouldn’t read too many of the names on my pants or ask too many questions about them. I was moved to the side. I focused on my breathing as peers near me expressed their glee, honor, and excitement. HOWEVER, the visit humanized him to me. Trump, with all his power, is still a person, and standing in a room with him, suddenly he wasn’t so untouchable. I will keep standing in that room. I will keep fighting for the freedom of those who cannot fight for themselves. I will never stop fighting for social justice and equal rights. I will fight the good fight. I will create good trouble. I will wear my pins. I will take up space. I will create art and empower. Thank you to everyone who was brave and bold this past week. Your voice is necessary. Your presence is felt.