Books
August 21st 2020
A series of images documenting the events of August 21st 2020 in Tujunga, Los Angeles. Photography by Ashley Balderrama.
35% of each book sale will be donated to the family of Anthony McClain who was shot in the back and murdered by officers of the Pasadena Police Department on August 15th 2020.
Featuring an excerpt by Claudia Alan:
"A small community that sits at the foothills of the Los Angeles mountains. This little-known community is where, on August 21st 2020, a consciousness shifted for all those in attendance of what had locally been called the ‘Friday afternoon protests.’ Beginning in June 2020, Black Lives Matter protesters and supporters of the 45th U.S. president began to experience more obvious symptoms of Americas long relationship with racism. What began with cardboard signs and lawn chairs, no sooner than August 21st did we ultimately understand, ‘so, this is what we’re dealing with.’ The photos you are about to view are a result of a combination of history, racism, compassion, hate, calls to elected officials, social media, and private chat messages.In front of a grocery store, Mexican restaurant, and sporting goods store -- our lives were transformed. Here we ask that you bare witness, feel the muggy LA summer air, smell the pink smoke bombs permeating your mandated mask, and feel your heart jump when the “first less-than-lethal” gun is fired.Most importantly, we want you to remember that the Black Lives Matter movement is lifelong. This was part of our beginning."
We Are Flowers
We Are Flowers is a multimedia poetry collection that touches on trauma, abuse, love, and heartbreak through a journey of enlightenment.
The series comprises poems by Salvadorian-American writer Diana Vergara and performative images in collaboration with LA photographer Ashley Balderrama.
A message from the Author, Diana Vergara
Being born in Oakland, California as the daughter of two Salvadorians, blessed me with the unique experience of living as a first-gen Salvadorian-American woman. My homeland of El Salvador, where I lived from ages five to fifteen, was the first place where I wrote a poem and became familiarized with Ruben Dario. The Spanish in my poetry is a tribute to my native language and a light on my experience living in between two worlds and two cultures. Both a vital part of my human experience. Growing up in a home with domestic violence and abuse took me years to understand the depth of trauma these heavy experiences left inside me as an adult. My hurt came through in relationships and everything else in my life. I didn't know how to love myself. As a teenager, I suffered from low self-esteem and depression. As an adult, I have gone through an arduous healing process, which I dare say is my life's most valuable work and still very much in the works. This poem collection was born at times when I felt hopeless and during other times I felt hopeful. This collection represents my journey to health through the ups and downs, no matter how many voices told me otherwise.