CONVERSATIONS CENTERED AROUND BLACK BODIES: Black Lives Matter

Chris Jon Conti

Conversations Centered Around Black Bodies is a collection of vignettes that explores intersectionality and race relations in America. This is the first of the series that hopes to open up a dialogue and create a community for people to share their feelings and perspectives on topics that deeply affect our lives. A young Black man reacts to an older white man questioning why he wears a hoodie that reads "Black Lives Matter." Is the older man overstepping bounds? Does he put too much responsibility on a young man just trying to read in peace? Or is he trying to bridge a gap and make an honest connection? Does the young man react with too much anger? Is he pushing away a potential ally? Or is he frustrated with the current state of the country and justified in his reaction to being intruded upon?