In-Justice

Mixed Media Art by Lisa Verni

‘The Fierce Urgency of Now’ was the driving force of Mom’s life and advocacy.  These words were her raison d’etre and rallying cry.After going through Mom’s old newspaper clippings, letters to the editor, board minutes, and personal notes, I found myself conjuring IN-Justice during a group bereavement meditation.  The image of Mom leading ‘My Country ‘Tis of Thee’ in the memory care lunchroom floated into my consciousness. .  Patriotism was embedded in her DNA, insulated from the deterioration of her brain and country.   In the actual photo, Mom was wearing her pink housecoat; an unplanned, yet perfect fit for her feminism.

In this art piece, I imagined the names of the causes Mom championed coming out of her mouth.  Shouting the words.  The expression on her face is one of anguish and anger.  I knew that mother well.  It is the face of a woman ravaged by dementia, but it’s also the face of the oppression and pain of Mother Earth, and too many of her Beings.  The kind that incites fierce activism.  

Mom fought for justice: the internal and external kinds. She went to therapy before anyone did, and believed self-improvement and care for others were sacred responsibilities.  These were her definitions of integrity and loyalty.  I’m a lot like her this way.  Evolution in action.

Mom vehemently believed things could get better.  Although we never used this title for her, she was a Community Organizer.  She genuinely listened to what was needed, and rolled up her sleeves for action.  I’m a quieter activist than Mom, but powerful in my own way.  Story Weaving as Activism.  I consider this art piece to be a collaboration of Mom and me, and all the women who went before us.