Artist’s Statement: Justice is to see someone else’s point of view, to see the other side, instead of just your opinion. Realizing other people have feelings and a heart.
Magical Raphael, 17, College Park. GA.
Self-portrait
SELF LOVE. Womyn’s empowerment. College Park, GA. March 30.
Believe In the Above
You always find freedom on the pathway of thinking positive. Look to the sky, He will always guide in the right direction. College Park, GA. March 30, 2021.
Healing Over Life
Sometimes you have to believe in and heal yourself. If you’re in the LGBTQ+ community, remember you were created with a purpose so heal before the trauma overpowers you. No one can tell you who to be, and who not to be. You are YOURSELF. College Park, GA. March, 30, 2021.
Injustice Is Evil
Injustice & justice creates hurt people, from robbers, to sex offenders, & to racism. Nobody comes out of the womb to hurt someone. Life doesn’t work like that. Hurt people hurt people. But it only takes one act of kindness to heal it all. College Park, GA. March 30.
Cleansing of COVID
So many people have gotten or died from Covid and did not have the ability to protect themselves or get better due to the injustice of having proper medical insurance or the ability to protect themselves.
Atlanta. March 16, 2021.
Color & Blankness
There’s always that one person who can bring out life or justice in the midst of injustice. Things are not always just black or white. Atlanta. March 9, 2021.
Being a 17-year-old Raphael, I’m here to cleanse hurt people. I took my pictures because some of the meanings behind these go so much deeper than just what you see. I’ve been in the stage of suicide, getting injustice from people because I’m a African-American bi-sexual girl, and it turned my life around to where I was so unhappy and stuck in a dark place. Courage is what you need in this society, and also knowing that what you give out to people is what you get. That’s why “I am ME.” I know my circumstances are better or worse than others’, but that fearful and traumatized person inside of us has to come out in some way. Just believe. Being determined and dedicated in this life, and knowing that crying is ok — there is always someone like me to come to your rescue and help you see that you’re someone important in this life. You will be who you want to be without any guilt or shame, knowing I will be by your side being who I want to be without any guilt or hesitation.
I am blessed.
I have NOW become open to the world.
I can feel people’s vibes.
I am courageous.
I am self-sufficient.
I am still here, so I know I have a purpose.
I am me.
