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Thursday, February 24, 2022 •
www.sdvoice.info
The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint
Breaking The Chains:
A Monument to Freedom As Black History Month ends, we reflect on an important San Diego landmark that honors the deep history of African American struggles By Conita Butts Contributing Writer African Americans have long been great contributors in the world of art. Artists in areas such as film, music, dance, paint, and sculptors have enriched our history with their talents. We are better because of their contribution. One such contributor is contemporary artist Mel Edwards, who was commissioned to provide a statue nearly two decades ago in San Diego. Mr. Edwards boasts many titles to his name, including being the first African American artist to have a solo exhibition at the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York City.
The ‘Breaking the Chains’ monument, launched in 1995, is in downtown San Diego, and is a beautiful sculpture built by Mr. Edwards. The sculpture depicts the deep struggle of African Americans for freedom and the recognition of the accomplishments made. Located at 301 1st Avenue, the Gaslamp District Quarter, in the Martin Luther King Jr. Promenade, it is ensconced majestically amid nature, near the San Diego Convention Center. On a beautiful sunny day, the sunshine is reflected off its unique steel form. It depicts courage, strength, and tenacity – all descriptive words that aid in defining the character upon
whom the area has been named after: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. At the base of the sculpture is a quote by Dr. King: “Along the way of life, someone must have the sense enough, and morality enough to cut off the chain of hate. This can only be done by projecting the ethic of love to the center of our lives.” For a reminder of the incredible talent in the African American community or for inspiration to launch your dream, take a stroll or jog in the MLK Promenade and stop for a visit at the Breaking the Chains monument. You will undoubtedly be moved by the work of Mr. Edwards.
Photos: Conita Butts
Black Com!x Day Celebrates Local Writers Photos: Cori Zaragoza
By Cori Zaragoza Staff Writer Fans of every age met at the Worldbeat Center at Balboa Park over the course of two days, February 19th and 20th, to celebrate Black Com!x Day. The family friendly event brought together Black comic book writers and publishers to show off their graphic novels and drawn art.
Antoinette Van Sluytham, writer and owner of Broken Chalice Studios, speaks during the ‘Black Women in Comics & Publishing’ panel.
Black Heroes Matter was the theme for this year’s Black Com!x Day.
After two years of the pandemic slowing down events, fans were eager to chat and peruse the latest comic books, and that reflected in the large number of attendees that packed the Worldbeat Center. Fans were also surprised to see the large number of new independent Black publishers and writers who are funded completely on their own: a new trend that has emerged from the pandemic, as people looked to alternative ways of building small businesses.
The event was put together by Keithan Jones of KID comics, a local independent comic book publisher, who wanted to put together an event in the same vein as the San Diego Comic-Con but for small Black publishers and writers. Like Comic-Con, Black Com!x Day featured panels by professionals in the field on various topics, such as “EMPOWERED: Doing Black Business Today” and “Black Women In Comics & Publishing.”
Attendees could walk through a maze of booths to speak with writers
“I learned a lot from the ‘Black Women in Comics & Publishing panel,” said one attendee. “It’s nice knowing that my struggles are not singular. Coming here and meeting all these wonderful creatives is incredibly inspiring.” As the day went on, attendees perused the different booths set up by writers, who were eager to talk about their stories and books. The Worldbeat Center was packed at one point with participants, all celebrating the beauty of Black Culture in the Marcel Dupree, right, is the CEO, Publisher, and EIC of Evoluzione Publications, a local independent comic book publisher. world of comic books.
