Charlotte is Creative
  • About Us
  • Programs
    • HUGs – Helpful Unfettered Gifts
    • PROGRAMA DE MICRO-BECAS (HUG)
    • Creative Project Management
    • Creative Content Development
    • Community Engagement / Employee Engagement
    • Queen City Quiz Show
    • Creative Mornings/Charlotte
    • Bolts of Inspiration
  • The Biscuit
    • YOUR QUEEN CITY
      • Exploring Charlotte
      • Where Are We in CLT?
    • CONNECT
      • Creative News
      • CLT Creatives
      • CLT Nonprofits
      • Editorials
    • SIGHTS & SOUNDS
      • Videos
      • Podcasts
      • Photography
    • GET OUT THERE
      • How To/Resources
  • Contact
Support CiC
Image

You’re Invited to the People’s Platform

You’re Invited to the People’s Platform

  • By Tim Miner on July 30, 2020
    /
  1. Home>>
  2. Articles>>
  3. You're Invited to the People's Platform

How do you feel when you see a police officer? That question can vary greatly based on where you grew up, where you live now, your skin color, your age, your political affiliation and your life experience.

It’s a question that has had resonance in the United States for decades, but it’s had renewed prominence for many over the past few months. It’s a question very much at the heart of demonstrations across the country and in our own city.

And, it’s one that Charlotte creative, Kat Martin, asked herself as she recently passed a police officer in her car. She found herself saying, “Damn, nothing happened to me.”

That led her to think about how very different her answer and her experience could have been for all the reasons above. It also led to a new collaboration with Charlottean, Kevin Aoussou, who she met while working at Queens University. Kat is a director, teaching artist and dramaturg who has worked at Queens, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Old Dominion University and the Children’s Theatre of Charlotte.

During the COVID-19 restrictions, Kevin moved back to Charlotte from Bloomington, Indiana, and the two reunited with a purpose.

What Can I Do? What Are Your Skills?

IMAGE CREDIT: CCARA

With discussions of racial justice and police brutality permeating the public discourse, Kat says that people naturally ask, “What can I do?”

Her response? “What are your skills?”

When it comes to creatives, that can be sharing your perspective through your work. Both Kat and Kevin believe that artists and creatives have a longing for collaboration and gather people together to share experiences and enter into dialogue.

Over the course of three weeks, Kat and Kevin worked with creative groups and individuals to form the Charlotte Coalition of Anti-Racist Artists (CCARA). Their goal is to use their talents, skills and art to share their feelings about racial justice and their personal experiences with the police.

The group’s goals, as stated in official communication are:

  • Divest – “By showing the power of using alternative intervention organizations that have the desired training.”
  • Defund – “We plan on defunding by holding our local government accountable to the will of the people through voting, and communication opportunities.”
  • Divert Funds – “Education on how money can be better spent in the areas of education, supporting alternative intervention, and housing.”

Collboration and Conversation

One of the first steps CCARA hopes people will take is to write a letter or story (as long or short as they want) about their experiences and feelings about law enforcement and send it to thepeoplesplatformclt@gmail.com

“We’re not digging for drama. We’re looking for the ‘every day,'” says Kat.

The stories will form the foundation of a public event and discussion at Romare Bearden Park on the evening of July 31, which will be infused with performative and theatrical aspects. Charlotte organizations like WOC Theater and Feed the Movement are also participating in Friday’s gathering.

The plan is to read letters that were submitted and enter into artist-led discussions with participants to compare and contrast their own experiences after each. Healing and homeopathic stations will be available to participants. The even will also be accessible for deaf and hearing-impaired participants.

CCARA is also asking guests to come prepared for safe social distancing, including bringing a mask.

Kat says this is meant to be a peaceful event, but that they are prepared for how outside influences may affect the gathering. It’s important to CCRA that this is an expression of public art in a public space. Their hope is that this is a positive step toward systemic change.

“We want people to feel good, but be fired up at the same time,” said Kat.


Participating in the July 31 Gathering

Where: Romare Bearden Park
When: July 31 at 5PM
What to Bring:

    • A mask and bottle of water
    • A chair or blanket
    • An object or photo to add to the alter space

 

View this post on Instagram

 

Our artists are hard at work putting together the finishing touches for The People’s Platform: Community Assembly. Donate to our CashApp: $thepeoplesplatform #thepeoplesplatformclt, #antiracistartistsclt, #ccara, #rehearsalfortherevolution #charlottenc

A post shared by CCARA (@ccaraclt) on Jul 26, 2020 at 6:51pm PDT

Like what we write?

Do you think you have what it takes to write for the Biscuit?

Well, let us know!!
Image

"*" indicates required fields

Signup for The Biscuit Newsletter
Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, Max. file size: 10 MB.
If you would like to submit an article for review, you may upload it here. PLEASE NOTE: We only accept articles that are 100% spell-checked, grammar-checked, and written in active tense with proper attributions.

Get Creative AND JOIN THE COMMUNITY!


  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Follow Us! @CLTisCreative | Tag Us! #CharlotteIsCreative

Proudly Sponsored By:

Image
North Carolina Arts Council
Foundation for the Carolinas
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy

Charlotte is Creative is an independent, nonprofit 501(c)3 organization. EIN: 47-5329696

Copyright © 2015 - 2023 Charlotte Is Creative.

site by four eyes

  • About Us
  • Programs
    • ← Back
    • HUGs – Helpful Unfettered Gifts
    • PROGRAMA DE MICRO-BECAS (HUG)
    • Creative Project Management
    • Creative Content Development
    • Community Engagement / Employee Engagement
    • Queen City Quiz Show
    • Creative Mornings/Charlotte
    • Bolts of Inspiration
  • The Biscuit
    • ← Back
    • YOUR QUEEN CITY
      • ← Back
      • Exploring Charlotte
      • Where Are We in CLT?
    • CONNECT
      • ← Back
      • Creative News
      • CLT Creatives
      • CLT Nonprofits
      • Editorials
    • SIGHTS & SOUNDS
      • ← Back
      • Videos
      • Podcasts
      • Photography
    • GET OUT THERE
      • ← Back
      • How To/Resources
  • Contact
Enjoy what you are reading? Get THE BISCUIT in your inbox!
Subscribe
close-image