Like a Slow Walk With Trees- exhibition and works
A draft labor acknowledgment, titled 'A Labor Acknowledgement after W.E.B. Du Bois and James Boggs to Use and Expand,' 2023/2024, was included in the exhibition as a tool for reflection and action. This acknowledgment invites viewers to critically examine the work they do, its connections to broader systems, and its place within the legacies of those who came before us—our ancestors and historical figures who shaped movements for justice and equity. It also calls attention to the foundational role of enslaved labor in building the U.S. and the global economy during colonization, emphasizing the ongoing impacts of these histories on present-day inequities. In the center of the labor acknowledgement, is a quote from Line 3 water protectors chant before an action.
By grounding the acknowledgments in the work of Du Bois and Boggs, they bridge historical and contemporary struggles, offering a framework for re-imagining labor in alignment with equity, dignity, and sustainability. They are meant to encourage dialogue and provide tools for viewers to continue engaging beyond the gallery.