Series

The “ Black Butterflies” series illustrates many facets of black representation, value, and experience. The term “ Black Butterflies” is used metaphorically for what I am about to describe to you. While they may seem rare, black butterflies have adapted and become widespread throughout the world.. They are deemed the most affordable, low valued, and hard to trade for butterfly collectors. The only way they would become expensive in this market is if they are on the verge of extinction, have historical significance, or scientific interest. Factors that affect the value of the butterflies to collectors are habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate change.

Black people encompass both aspects of a rare butterfly and a well populated black butterfly.

Yes, we are in many places of the world but no one ever sees black peoples’ value until we have something that is worth their attention. Even after all we have built for ourselves and others, we are still poked and prodded and used as collectors items. We as a rare species have never been seen up close or AT ALL in some cultures. We are often represented more by our resilience through trauma, our habitat loss (gentrification), the use of pesticides (drug addictions), or climate change (external factors controlled by oppressors).

We are BLACK BUTTERFLIES; rare because each and every one of us has gifts, talents, intellect, and experience that are not sought after unless they are for the use of others. Yes, we may be wide spread but each individual represents transformation in the world.

We are black butterflies, beautiful, rare, and yes very expensive but not because anyone other than ourselves has deemed us to be.