The hearts of everyone at A.I.M are heavy. As a dance company of predominantly Black and Brown people, we are here to say ENOUGH.
We continue to see Black bodies turned into hashtags unjustly at the hands of both police and civilians, we are navigating the ever present systemic oppression of Black and Brown people in the U.S. and we are still in the throes of a global pandemic that is disproportionately killing our people.
After having time to pause, reflect, process, protest and march, and come together in community, we are here to declare loud and clear - the injustices experienced by Black people must come to an end.
We are unified in our outrage. We are outraged by the senseless murders of Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd, Tony McDade, Breonna Taylor, Nina Pop and the countless others who have unfortunately come before them. We are outraged by the overt and covert racism Black people experience on a daily basis from just existing.
This is urgent. We join The Black Lives Matter movement in calling for an end to the systemic racism that allows this culture of corruption to go unchecked and our lives to be taken.
Artistic Director Kyle Abraham’s goal as an artist has always been to “make work that highlights my community...work that sheds light on issues that have always been important to me and to people that look like me...to continue to strive to make work that challenges the limited perception of what Black people can achieve.”
Let us remember, we're fighting two viruses.
During this pandemic, A.I.M's source of protest is not viable. Our voice and activism have been halted, as we cannot gather on stage. But we’re using this time to highlight our voices in new ways. In the coming weeks, months, and years, A.I.M staff and dancers will be sharing resources and opportunities to come together in conversation as a community.
In the meantime, we urge our Black friends and family to make the space to acknowledge our own mental, physical, spiritual health. Taking a breath is essential.
To non-Black people, your pity is not enough. We are seeking your action. We urge you to continue (or start) acknowledging your privilege and working towards anti-racist systems. Our livelihood is dependent on your commitment.
Kyle Abraham, Artistic Director
Sydnie Liggett, Executive Director
View excerpts from Kyle Abraham's Absent Matter (2015)
The work explores hip-hop's lineage to create an abstracted dialogue about race in America through the lens of those who feel unacknowledged or without value.