08/04/2020
While painting my most recent mural in Seattle, I was pushed to my limits. This was a MASSIVE mural commission, over 8 large panels each the size of a garage door. Each to be prepped, designed and painted during Capitol Hill protests. Let’s just say, I had a s**t ton of work ahead and the last thing I needed was negativity. The first day, I had help from my gal pal which kept me on track and into the night I got most of my sketches completed. I said a prayer, hoping that no one would tag my walls in the night. Early on Saturday, protesters began lining the streets just a block from my storefront murals- I continued painting, as people kicked my cans, tore my tape, stole my items, sprayed my primed walls, and yelled insults at me... clearly they gave zero cares that I was in the process of creating a mural for everyone to enjoy. They just saw me as being in the way- it was unfair, they didn’t care, they were mean and angry and suddenly I was becoming angry- I was a victim.
As the protests continued to accelerate the federal police began bombing the crowds with tear gas, and I was hit with the aftershock gas multiple times with no where to go but under my ladder covering my face with my mask. I can’t imagine how much worse the protesters experience of being gassed was, cause that s**t is brutal.
Literally, it couldn’t get worse and I still had multiple panels to paint and it was getting later into the night, and I did not feel safe in my own city. I went home defeated feeling totally helpless and alone in my cause.
I woke up the next morning, reset my tone, I wrote down my thoughts and realized that I was letting myself be the victim- i was letting my power and positivity be stripped by focusing on all these negative things. I got back out there with my power back and I slayed that s**t, smile intact.
You are not a victim. Negative, unfair stuff happens to us every single day, and no, it doesn’t make it right and it isn’t fair— but it is likely going to happen. Will you allow it to defeat you and take you under or will you rise above it?
✊🏿✊🏽✊Hope my story helps you rise up and take back your power today! @ Starbucks