BILL STEARMAN

2020

hand-dyed cotton, silk, linen, wool, discharged fabric, marker, commercial cotton
72”h x 72”w

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I will never again accept “tsk-tsk” from Canadians responding to racism in the US. Racism is alive and well in our own country, and we need to talk about it!

When I started this quilt, I knew that I wanted to address systemic racism – as I began my own education as a privileged, gay, white, male. I knew I needed to learn, and I needed to change.

In order to get a better sense of the Canadian reality, I purchased the audio version of Desmond Cole’s book, “The Skin We’re In: A Year of Black Resistance and Power”. As I listened to him reading his book, I wept openly. Somehow, as an apparently well-informed Canadian, I had no idea that this is reality in my own country.

This quilt, and my shame, grew as I worked and listened to Mr. Cole’s words. Written on this quilt, are the names of the last thirty Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC) individuals killed by police or who died while in police custody in Canada. In the bottom corner is a link to Desmond Cole’s blog where the names are listed, so that you can read their stories. Above that is a link to a CBC documentary by Charles Officer and Desmond Cole. Please follow the links. #saytheirnames #knowtheirstories #blacklivesmatter