Each day, we experience another death, another tragedy, another loss of life to violence, and we have no answers. There are many people–good people–working to help families and the community cope with the hurt and pain that comes with loss, particularly tragic loss.
As we at Scoop try to support our communities, victims, and families, we have partnered with Zarinah Lomax and The Apologues to respect those we have lost by sharing portraits and brief introductions into the lives of the families that The Apologues’ has featured.
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Artist: Kristen Nicole
Tranquility Acrylic on canvas
Co-victims: Tanisha and Tatiana Yates
Victim: Marcus Yates
Marcus Yates, 5, was shot July 18, 1988 inside a variety store, caught in a shootout between drug dealers at 60th Street and Springfield Avenue. Marcus and his brothers were at the store with friends–when shots rang out. His brother Malcolm Yates, was also shot yet survived. His life has inspired many, with his mother Rochelle on the front lines for 22 years of the 30 years since Marcus’ was killed, including those within his own family. His sister is the co-victim reflected in the portrait. She was born nine months after her brother Marcus was killed, and his death has touched her life in many ways despite her life starting after his tragically ended.
Rochelle states: I was totally lost when my son was murdered, and I also had my other son shot twice and a baby on the way. It’s been 30 years, but if emotions can express what I’ve felt over this time is unbelief and anger and learning to figure those who made me feel abandoned as time went on.
What is The Apologues?
The Apologues (under the fiscal sponsorship of the Federation of Neighborhood Centers) is a fashion and art exhibit that uses the arts to assist individuals in healing, empowering themselves, and advocating against gun violence and trauma that plague urban communities. Through the use of fashion, art, and music, The Apologues honors the emotions of untreated trauma through the realm of storytelling to trigger healing. We do this through the combination of self-portraits of victims and co-victims, wearable art, and musical experiences combined.
For more information and to support this initiative, visit our website, https://www.theapologues.org
