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"I just want to learn how to be free"

During the heatwave, so much needed to be squeezed into the early morning hours. Airing the house, watering back yard to help a few plants to survive, spraying around house to cool it down, teaching classes and private session, taking a walk, all had to be done before 9 or 10 am latest. Under heat dome it was up here 108 F in shade, 94 F indoors, 85 F coolest night temperature. Despite it all, I was able to paint for brief periods on the mural. It faces west, and at 11:30 am the sun sneaks around the corner and hits the garage doors, so the short window for painting is over. Too hot and too glaring for the eyes. 

This morning more on new “Angola 3” panel which is the fourth new panel, all of them in progress.  

 

You can see the penciled lines & text, and the smear :) from bracing my hand when painting. And I tried out the 3 mm paint pen for Albert’s entry. The lower panels go slow, they ask me to contort, half on knees or on side of hip, and still be steady with brush :) 

The quote I took from an interview with Albert Woodfox after he was released. I believe he knows more about inner freedom that most of us on the outside, that‘s why he survived unbroken. But relearning to be in society after decades of expulsion – wow… 

 

With 2 mm paint pen, Nicky finished left panel – 20 names from my researched list – so many decades wrongfully incarcerated...

 

More to go… and then we really need to seal those new panels and a few older ones, before more unrelenting sun and hopefully rain start pounding the Memorial Mural. 

 

Read the beautiful interview by Innocence Project with Albert Woodfox: 

“It never came close to breaking my spirit and that’s what solitary confinement is designed for.” 

https://innocenceproject.org/albert-woodfox-black-panther-solitary-confinement-interview-freedom-anniversary-birthday/ 

Amnesty International declared solitary confinement in US prisons as torture, it is happening right next door to us….

 

https://karinalandriver.blogspot.com/2022/08/todays-entry-in-honor-of-amazing-man.html 


Comments

Alex K said…
So poignant, so moving his life and those words of wanting to learn how to be free so heartrending. I read the interview with Mr. Woodfox that you linked in your blog. The largeness of his soul and spirit are a treasure. Also so heartbreaking to read about the circumstances of his incarceration. Our penal system and the people who run it can be so cruel and heartless. I was pierced by the account of his being not allowed to attend his mother's funeral.
September 13, 2022 at 12:14 PM
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