A Racist State Can't Protect Jews - Jews Say: Not in Our Name!
Myra Eastman (Santa Cruz, CA)
Mixed Media on Form Core, 20” W x 55” H
Artwork:
This mixed media protest sign was created for a local Santa Cruz protest denouncing Trump 2.0. As the granddaughter of Ashkenazi Jews born in Russia I have never stood on street corners during zillions of protests announcing my Jewishness. Honestly, it never felt relevant. But now is different. I am so appalled by our current administration's disingenuous ploy of kidnapping scholars, defunding Universities and weaponizing free speech-all in the name of combating anti-semitism. They are simply using us for their own means, and once our usefulness is no longer required, they will turn on us as they have vilified so many others. No one is safe from this administration. Fascism has arrived and even secular, progressive Jews must speak out and shout, "Not In My Name".
Artist Statement:
I am a narrative, figurative painter. Generally my work explores social, political and personal themes. I work primarily in acrylics on canvas. The piece I'm submitting for this exhibition is the exception. It was created in a time of crisis, despair and is deeply personal. "What does it mean to to be Jew" has always been debated -by us. Who knows? I lived on a kibbutz and went to University in Israel in my youth as part of an idealistic cohort in the late 60's-early 70's. Now, the country I had planned to call home has completely disappeared. In its place is a fanatical religious regime, which doesn't even recognize my secular Jewish identity as really "Jewish" and has aligned itself with right-wing Christian evangelical movements. Anti-semitism is real. I have had this experience but protesting the horrific treatment of Palestinians is not.