BREONNA
“Placing one's body on the line for freedom is also a Black feminist practice, and the critical importance of naming was underscored during the Trump era amid heightened anti-Black police violence. As the Black Lives Matter movement has gained traction throughout the United States, the mainstream discourse on race and policing continues to center Black men, thus spawning the #SayHerName campaign in 2014, which aims to raise awareness of Black women's and girls' experiences with police violence."
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"In response, artist Kenya (Robinson) created a custom Breonna nameplate following the murder of Breonna Taylor at the hands of police in 2020. In viewing adornment as a form of valuing the self, and also of protecting the self from a hostile social environment, (Robinson) turned to the nameplate as a way to process her feelings of depression, anger, and loss at the continued devaluation of Black women's lives. In turning Breonna's name into gold and wearing it, she performs a loving kinship that recognizes and values Black femmes and brings that energy forth into the world."
_ Jillian Hernandez, Ph.d
