Protesting Freedom Of Visual Speech
THIS JOURNAL BELONGS TO
Brandon Scott Roye
“How are you heard when you don’t speak with your voice, but with what you can create?”
To combat the attention economy, your freedom of visual speech cannot be understated and certainly cannot be overlooked.
4 MINS READ TIME
The most impactful and revered artists throughout history rarely said a word publicly and yet, they continue to be heard around the world to this day. The masterpieces of Andy Warhol and even Dr. Seuss were riddled with political ideology, disguised as seemingly playful and innocent musings which anyone could be initially drawn to.
Rather than stirring up discourse in the news, they would catch people off guard when they’re exploring their own creative notions in an art gallery or even reading a bedtime story to their children. Thinking about the legacy and the world they want to leave behind for their loved ones. These are the intimate and vulnerable moments when visuals, not just words, can pack a punch.
In light of reworking the same message of equality for black people in America and all over the world, three incredibly talented and humble creatives from Harlem hosted a march on the day of George Floyd’s funeral, encouraging all activists to wear a nice suit or ‘their best’ to honor his life.
These three by the names of Brandon Murphy, Gabriel Garmon, and Harold Waight have found fulfillment and abundance in their careers through tailored suiting, wardrobe styling, and image making, respectively. Each intricate detail in their works is a sign of the times which any individual or organization outside of their snazzy creative studios cannot reach to alter their narrative and their intentions. Escaping the far-too-trodden path of executive assistants and diversity executives in the fashion industry, they are setting out to illuminate a new image of black people in America. The right image.
Photo: Christopher Tomas Smith
Photo: Christopher Tomas Smith
Laughing at the notion that fashion brands seem to have just realized black people want to be a part of the fashion industry, Brandon asserts that boardrooms need to be reflective of a brand’s audience, otherwise cultural missteps will be inevitable and frequent.
He’s been disappointed by the recent uptick in press releases from brands admitting, “we should have included more black voices, black models, black people on our teams”. And not just in roles which focus on DE&I, crisis management, press releases, and goodwill collaborations. All executive level positions should be up for grabs in the shared interest of rebuilding every industry without exception from the ground up.
Leveraging Harold’s background in filling art galleries with impact-driven patrons, their efforts to organize this march across Harlem and New York more broadly felt organic and swift via Instagram. Expecting 100 marchers to join, they were greeted by over 1,000 on their path to St. Francis of Sels in Harlem with onlookers cheering and clapping from the windows of every street.
Strangers came prepared with extra suits, shirts, ties, and masks for protestors who didn’t have them. Men were even seen teaching children how to tie their first bowtie, which I’m sure you’ll agree is a particularly formative and unforgettable moment in any young man’s life, considering I had to teach myself through Youtube.
Intrigued by the many facets of such a powerful trio, curiosities sparked about the cultural significance of their chosen attire for this momentous day in the Black Lives Matter movement.
In getting to discuss with all three gentlemen, asking about their intentions behind the dress code, Brandon shared without hesitation, “The reason we wore our suits is the image of unity, changing the narrative around black people. We’re called thugs in the media, but we are professionals. We are designers, businessmen, we’re a lot of things and the last thing we are is thugs.”
Harold added, “Dressing up in suits is our way of protesting our freedom of visual speech. As an artist, a painter, a photographer, I use different mediums and fashion is one of them. We want to be heard and to be seen.”
There is immense power in understanding how we think today, both individually and as a society. The narrative hasn’t changed for years. Hundreds of years. But the way we communicate our thoughts must evolve with the times.
Brandon raises a message of unity, equity, and ownership in the black community. He wants to see more mentorship and funding opportunities for those who are ready to found their own business. While there’s an abundance of advice out there, the real barrier of entry is access to capital and a seat at the table. Which is why he carved his own table, offering personal tailoring through BMC Studio.
Harold’s message is equally clear. “It all stems from worth. If we didn’t know our worth, we wouldn’t be painting and singing and writing.” He’s in the process of curating a series called Creating Against Racism with a group of artists, photographers, and poets to explore the question, “How are you heard when you don’t speak with your voice, but with what you can create?”
To combat the attention economy, our freedom of visual speech cannot be understated and certainly cannot be overlooked. It’s easy for anyone to skim or even gloss right over a paragraph of text. But when you encounter a piece of artwork, no matter the medium, the time it takes to jump from surface level curiosity to full comprehension of a robust narrative occurs in the blink of an eye. It’s human nature to briefly ponder unexpected visuals, rather than turn away.
If you find yourself feeling more like a fluttering ember than an unwavering flame in this taxing fight for equality, I encourage you to make the $7/month splurge for Disney+ now that Hamilton is streaming. Best described as America then, told by America today.
As I type these words at my desk, the rhythm of the keyboard seems to fervently chant, “I’m not giving away my shot. I’m not giving away my shot.” This phrase was Hamilton’s guiding light throughout the iconic Broadway spectacle which eloquently implies that he was born with a shot. Even if he was labeled as, “a bastard, orphan, son of a whore”, in the very first lyric of his life.
At the apex of Hamilton’s most difficult moments, the resolution was always accompanied by abrupt silence and a singular light shining down on him. Standing vulnerable, yet resolute, he would repeat this mantra which rebuilt his passion and momentum with every recitation.
And to that I say very simply, find your medium and shoot the shot you were inherently afforded at birth. After speaking with Brandon, Gabriel, and Harold, I have to agree that the most efficient way of reaching humanity is through unspoken, artistic modes of communication. Exercising your right to visual speech.
I’ll leave you with Gabriel’s reaction to humbly leading such a surreal and successful march in our nation’s history. “I was on a high for the next three days. I kept thinking, ‘Wow we really did this. We brought people together. Our voices were heard. We are here for a reason. Our point is made. It doesn’t stop, this has to continue.’”