To be a creative in a radical time of protest, when your talents and skills can be harnessed in an enlightening way as a voice for activism, is truly empowering.
In light of the ongoing injustice towards Black lives in America, art director Jon Krippahne and his collaborators chose to release a short film to wake audiences up to the persistent threat of police brutality. Throughout the two-minute film, archival footage from 1964 is juxtaposed with videos from the present, as seen on social media in 2020. While watching, it is obvious to see that the racial injustices that were said to have stopped 60 years ago, still exist today.
Young Hero connected with Jon to discuss the project in further detail, and learn firsthand about the intentions and motivations behind the film.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and where we can find your work.
Ayo! My name is Jon Krippahne, I’m an Art Director based out of New York. My website is http://www.jonkrippahne.com/ wish it was a little more up to date, but I threw the film up there real quick once it started blowing up.
What brought you to create this film?
Well for me, I grew up in a predominantly white town in New Jersey so naturally, I hear from a lot of white people that I’ve grown up with. The shit I have been hearing is baffling. A lot of people are speaking out, which is great, but a lot of people are remaining silent or even attempting to discredit this movement, which is horrendous. Personally, I wanted to make something that was super simple for everyone to grasp. Just because our textbooks tell us equality came in 1964, that doesn’t make it true. It’s quite the opposite for too many reasons to get into right now. We simply wanted to educate people. When we put it in this side by side B/W context, it suddenly becomes clear that we are living in history. Until we all stand up for each other, we’ll continue to repeat that history.
When comparing footage from the past to today's happenings, what stood out to you the most?
Honestly, I thought this film would take a lot longer to make than it did. I compiled all of the content quickly because it was everywhere. You don’t have to dig deep to find these videos of brutality. What stood out the most to me was that it seems like we’ve actually regressed. A lot of people don’t want to confront that because their privilege protects them from having to.
You mentioned realizing that it wasn't only the cops that needed to hear this message, but friends, family members, and anyone else whose privilege protected them from the realities of racial injustice. What led you to this realization?
I think going to protests really brought me to that realization. Hearing community leaders pour their hearts out for the cause is so powerful when you’re there in the thick of it. If you’re able to get out and protest you should. It’s important to show up and keep showing up. Also, hearing people in my life trying to minimize this movement inspired me to shut them up.
What initial reaction did you receive from those people who might not have understood the message, after they watched your film?
So far, it's been received pretty well by everyone from what I saw. I think a lot of those people wouldn’t like to admit they're wrong, so I don’t know if anyone will go out of their way to say they learned something. I think sometimes you need to nudge the non-believers instead of blowing up on them, making a film like this is one way to do that. A lot of people just need to be educated. As much I want to blow up on people, and I have in the past, sometimes you need to be the bigger person. But like a lot of people, I want to see a change right now, it’s long overdue.
Anything you'd like to add?
Listen to Black people. Look to them to lead the movement.
Concept by @jonkrippahne & @jusjoomusic
Editor @stephania.dulowski
Historical Consultant @thecreoleking
Researchers @shtadla & @mribieras
Music by Michael Kiwanuka - Black Man In A White World
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Disclaimer from Jon:
We do not claim to own the rights to any images, footage, or music shown above. This was more of a curation project. We just wanted to make something that was educational for everyone. What you see here is just a tiny sliver of racial injustice. Thank you to all the artists documenting, making music, and giving this movement a voice.