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: Donna Grace Kroh
Co-Victim: Ms. Karen
Victim: Jasmine Lewis
Artist Statement: I had the honor to be introduced to Ms. Karen, a vibrant, positive, bright beam of light. She is a mother to four amazing children and tragically lost her daughter, Jasmine, to gun violence. After Ms. Karen shared her story with me, I wanted to focus on her colorful nature and remind her that she is love and loved. She visits her daughter daily to talk and is in the process of creating a thriving green space for her, represented within the border. The garden of flowers–is a reminder for Ms. Karen that she deserves all of her flowers, and I made sure to incorporate red roses, her favorite. I used a blue background as Jasmine’s favorite color; and the four blue flowers in her hair to represent her four children.
Jasmine Lewis: Jasmine Lewis was shot and killed by a stray bullet while home from college on Aug. 27, 2020. Jasmine was a star basketball player who excelled at the sport alongside her sister. She leaves behind many family and friends and many questions as the case is still unsolved. Her mother, Karen, continues to make the plea for someone to come forth with answers; but still there are none. Karen will be the co-victim reflected in this portrait to keep her daughter’s name and memory alive.
Karen says: Losing Jasmine has been the worst thing in my life. Everyday my heart cries for my baby, and I am overcome with grief not knowing who could have killed my daughter.
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
