Description:
"The Mind of America (Unconscious,Subconscious, Conscious)" is an installation that delves into the issue of racism in America, particularly the myth of Black criminality. The piece is divided into three sections, each representing a different layer of the mind: the unconscious, the subconscious, and the conscious.  It explores how deeply ingrained beliefs about Black people and criminality have shaped and continue to shape America. 
 
Unconscious Mind:
The first section, made from foggy acrylic material, symbolizes the unconscious mind. This area features drawings of enslaved people, reflecting the historical foundation of America's economy built on slavery. After the Civil War and the passage of the 13th Amendment in 1865, a loophole allowed for the re-enslavement of Black people through mass incarceration, under the guise of criminality. This practice gave rise to the myth of Black criminality, where African Americans were disproportionately arrested for minor crimes like loitering or vagrancy, effectively reintroducing forced labor through the prison system. The unconscious mind, therefore, represents the historical roots of systemic racism and how it was seeded into the nation's psyche.
 
Subconscious Mind:
The second section, made from more translucent acrylic, represents the subconscious mind, where societal beliefs are formed. Here, images of Black people (Central Park Five reference) being arrested are depicted, illustrating how the perception of Black people as criminals was solidified. This belief was perpetuated through media which reinforced the stereotype of the Black individual as a threat. The subconscious mind is where the seeds planted in the unconscious are watered, creating a collective belief system that views Blackness as synonymous with criminality. 
 
Conscious Mind:
The final section, made from crystal clear acrylic, represents the conscious mind, the current reality of America. In this space, the clarity of the medium mirrors our current reality: Black men and women being killed simply for being Black, and because of the subconscious belief that Black is a threat. This is the ultimate manifestation of the deeply ingrained beliefs that have been cultivated over centuries, leading to a society where Black lives are perceived as a threat. The clear, unfiltered view symbolizes the truth of America's racial violence, where these subconscious beliefs have taken root in the conscious mind, resulting in real and tragic consequences.