The Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement was founded in 2013 in response to the acquittal of George Zimmerman for the murder of an African American teen named Trayvon Martin. The movement became recognised for street demonstrations in 2014 after the deaths of two African Americans, named Michael Brown and Eric Garner. Both of these men were killed by police officers. The movement garnered greater international attention in 2020 during the George Floyd protests, following the killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer. More than 15 million people participated in the protests, making BLM one of the largest movements in U.S. history.
BLM is a decentralised movement advocating for non-violent civil disobedience in protest against incidents of police brutality and all racially motivated violence against Black people. BLM generally engages in direct action tactics that make people uncomfortable enough that they must address the issue. Political slogans used during demonstrations include “Black Lives Matter”, “Hands up, don’t shoot“, I can’t bReathe”, “White silence is violence“, “No Justice, no peace“. The movement seeks to combat and counter acts of violence, create space for Black imagination, Black innovation and Black joy.
As a white South African, I am confronted with the devastating legacy of Apartheid, which was a system of segregationist policies against non-white citizens. The legacy of 350 years of Apartheid practice and 50 years of apartheid policy is one of severe racial, socioeconomic inequality. As the BLM movement captured our minds in May 2020, I asked myself what role I, as a designer, can play to support the global movement for racial equality. Can I design a household object that brings the issue into the consciousness of our living spaces? What type of object can carry the weight of the BLM vision in a subtle, respectful and sensitive way, whilst being aesthetically pleasing and desirable to a broad public?
The Blackbird concept was conceived as I listened to the Beatles’ song by the same name. Paul McCartney explained that the song was inspired by the racial tensions in the US in the late 1960’s and that the song symbolically supports the efforts of the Civil Rights Movement. Blackbird is a black-lacquered wooden bird, with stainless steel rings around the upper ends of its legs. Blackbird is to be placed on a shelf, alone, close to a large window, flooding it with light. Blackbird serves as a household reminder of the BLM movement and broader movements against racial discrimination and inequality. It symbolises the beauty, strength and ability of Black lives.
Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to arise
Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these sunken eyes and learn to see
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to be free
Blackbird fly, blackbird fly
Into the light of a dark black night
Blackbird fly, blackbird fly
Into the light of a dark black night
Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to arise
You were only waiting for this moment to arise
You were only waiting for this moment to arise
~ Blackbird by The Beatles
