Don't Shoot

Natalia Anciso’s piece Don’t Shoot really stood out in my mind during presentations this week. Made a year ago, it shows the problems communities are still facing today. It shows the police power that is destroying the lives of many people around the United States. It immediately reminded my of the brutality that Americans are fighting against and how we have not seen a change in the actions of policing because the same issues are still occurring. This image shows police who are overly hostile toward a young, dark skinned boy who is standing with his arms in the air. They are aiming their guns and ready to shoot when there is no threat being made to them, other than the fact that the boy happens to be dark skinned. The flowers on the bottom with caution looking tape that says “police line do not cross” to me signifies that he is already dead. There is no winning in this situation and even though he has not yet been shot at, it is inevitable that he will be. The flowers remind me of those placed at the scene of shootings to honor the life of the person who just passed. This drawing is definitely extremely influential and sadly represents most of America today.