Protect Ya Neck

Issue No. 5: Stressed Out!
Photography & Words - Cara Taylor

Artist statement: Protect Ya Neck is a photo series I created in contemplation of what it means to nourish the Black body. Nourishment of self is something that we have known to be a form of resistance against Black oppression. Because it is much easier to oppress people who do not have time or energy to really care for themselves. In my own experiences with anxiety-induced exhaustion, I've neglected my body by putting no real effort into my hygiene -- including not moisturizing. This quotidian act that was introduced to me as crucial for my own physical comfort and for sustaining the magnificence of my skin, gets ignored when I'm too tired. Worn out from all the -isms having had their way. So, I made this series with the words of the late Toni Morrison as a guide. The photo captions are from a powerful speech given by the character Baby Suggs, in Morrison's Beloved. She speaks to a crowd of Black folks and urges them to love their flesh because "They" (white people) will destroy it if you don't do everything in your power to protect it. Protect Ya Neck sees love and nourishment as a profound shield.

THEY DO NOT LOVE YOUR NECK, UNNOOSED AND STRAIGHT

35mm photo by Cara Elise Taylor

SO LOVE YOUR NECK

35mm photo by Cara Elise Taylor

THIS IS FLESH I'M TALKING ABOUT HERE. FLESH THAT NEEDS TO BE LOVED!

35mm photo by Cara Elise Taylor

SO PUT A HAND ON IT, STROKE IT, AND HOLD IT UP. FOR THIS IS THE PRIZE

35mm photo by Cara Elise Taylor