For George: Impact of new exhibition
This is the opinion of Zach Jester, SJU senior.
I implore you to visit the Gorecki Gallery at the College of St. Benedict and experience the exhibition “For George: Portraits of the Movement.”
The exhibition will open March 28 and run through May 9. Collaborating with the people of Minneapolis, capturing deep conversational interviews and providing a platform to protestors, “For George” is a respectful and important dialogue on the murder of George Floyd and protests that followed. Brought to our divided campus, this exhibition seeks not to judge, but instead to educate.
Despite going unreported by mass media during the Minneapolis uprising, George Floyd Square (38th and Chicago/GFS) was busting with mutual aid, medics, donations and community organization while grocery stores were closed. More than a memorial, GFS is beauty born from tragedy, personified by those visiting who are documented in this series.
Beyond caricatures, algorithms and memes, the exhibit gives individuals a chance to see the full picture of the 2020 uprising. Human to human and begs the question “is the system broken, or is it working as it is supposed to?”
Look in the eye of the camera, what do you see? What do you say? The people on May 25, 2020, saw a Black man murdered on the street by those sworn to protect and serve. Do they protect them? Do they serve them?
My name is Zach Jester. I am a senior individualized major at CSB/SJU, a photographer and a student supervisor for Fine Arts Programming. But most important to my identity is my experience during early summer 2020, my participation on the front lines of the Minneapolis Uprising, the Siege of the Third Precinct and my time at George Floyd Square. I saw things that changed the trajectory of my life, developed my identity of activism, abolition and witnessed a revolution against the Minneapolis Police.
There will be a panel discussion on how we as a community were impacted by the murder of George Floyd. The panel will take place on April 4, 5-7 p.m. at the Gorecki Gallery. As one of the panelists I hope to answer questions about my own experience. With fellow panelists, I hope to share with you all the importance of the uprising, the people that made it possible, and the spirit of May 25th.
I don’t want you to come for me.
You shouldn’t come for an FAE. You need to come For George.