Dimensions: 24x36

Acrylic on Wood

This piece is inspired by Early American Baseball Players. They were not allowed to play in New York City, so they had to travel to New Jersey to play. That is where the first African American Leagues existed. I have used the idea of the high collar, in combination with the way a head tilts when a person is hung. This is one of first things that we see. The tilt of head. The reason that these people are told they cant play in New York City is the same reason that these people are lynched. Racism and hatred. I am trying to point to idea that despite the horrible treatment of African American by the dominant white culture, they still felt that they were Americans and Americans play baseball. This is one of amazing things about this country. The idea of America is not racist. The idea of America is that it is for everyone. Now of-course people have twisted that idea, just like they twisted the ideas of religion to justify their wars and hatred. But in all our minds we know what this country is capable of being. The other elements are NV on the jersey stands for Negro League and then on bat is the name Coleman Parker. This is a reference to Coleman Hawkins and Charlie Parker. There is something similar in baseball and jazz. Baseball is all about space, timing and placement, so is Jazz. Also coming back to how the idea of America made African American Men want to play baseball, something purely American, the creation of Jazz is also a purely American thing. Why would a group of people who are treated horribly by the dominant white culture, who were constantly telling them that they were not wanted and less then, feel that Baseball was theirs as much as anyone else’s? Maybe, it is because the idea of America, or the potential of America is felt by all Americans despite differences and mistreatment. Think of all of the American wars that were fought by African Americans. Fighting for a freedoms that they did not experience in their own country. Still they fought.

The other images on the sign mimic the education and literacy of the common person (which was probably low). Words and numbers are randomly displayed. Three strikes, the number of innings counted out. Also the word dream is repeated. Obviously this ties to a more current time with Martin Luther King jr.’s speech, but it is also how a person feels when watching or playing Baseball. It is a waking dream. A place where time is changed. It is also a place where, i imagine, when a large crowd gathered to watch a Baseball game there was a sense of inclusion. A moment or dream when African Americans felt apart of instead of excluded.