Woman Unmasked
Artist: Gregory Changa Freeman
Medium: Digital Photography Dimensions: 23” W x 23” H Price: $1,400
Elements of history appear in present day. They offer reminders of both progress and cautionary admonitions. Nozipo “Mama Nozipo” Glenn, born in Cape Town, South Africa (Originally called Azania, meaning “Land of the Black Man”) during Apartheid. She arrived in the United States in 1972 after being exiled from her ancestral homeland. Like Segregation and the institution of the Black Code Laws in the United States, South Africans living under oppression were often subjected to discrimination and unfair punishments. Harsh restrictions were imposed upon the movements of the people in ways reminiscent of Red Lining in the United States.
Mama Nozipo spoke in protest of the Apartheid system and was banned by the government of South Africa and given an exit permit. Speaking at the United Nations on several occasions she delivered addresses advocating for human rights and to remove the masks on oppression in South Africa. This paved the way towards global sanctions and the economic boycotting against Apartheid that prompted its dismantling.