American Ornithology-Art Review

American Ornithology.” It compares the life of some thing many of us see everyday -- the rock pigeon -- to the identity and, in many ways, the stereotypes of black men in America. Europeans introduced pigeons to North America in the 1600s around the same period that slavery commenced to America. 

The rock pigeon is commonly found in American cities, occupying the streets. National Geographic described the rock pigeon as being gregarious and forming large flocks; it feeds on handouts and grains during the day. Similar to how many see black men as individuals that populate urban landscapes and live off assistance  (the system). Both viewed as vermin by some. 

The rock pigeon is one of the few birds that doesn't migrate but is considered a strong flyer. Brought to this country from elsewhere, they lack a migration gene and when taken away from its environment, usually returns home because of its familiarity with the ecosystem.

 That displacement and lack of the gene manifests itself in one of the many forms of conditioning. As with black men or others from the diaspora, when you are taken from your place of foundation and assigned a station in society it constructs a belief that you are only permissible in certain spaces that have been designed/designated for you. 

You have been placed in a coop. These images I’ve created communicate why we as black men often don't fly (achieve) even though we have the ability to go far beyond our circumstances. It paints a picture of how the damaging environment we have been placed in by generational systemic oppression's becomes a reluctant contentment and not a fleeting station in life.

Writer:Ruckerarts

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Binnabook Magazine Believes in Free Speech,Social Journalism with newsgathering and verification of Data.