Michael D’Antuono
Michael D’Antuono is an American contemporary artist whose provocative paintings focus primarily on socio-political issues. He is best known for his controversial portrait of U.S. President Barack Obama crucified in front of the Presidential seal entitled “The Truth,” which twice became a U.S. and international news story. The UK publication The American called him “one of the world’s most controversial artists.”
I admire your painting ‘The Talk’. Will you please talk about ‘The Talk’ a little?
I released The Talk on Martin Luther King Day in 2015. By that time I had three years to digest all the responses to my painting, A Tale of Two Hoodies, and think about what it must be like for parents of black children. I tried to empathize, wondering how I would feel if I had to tell my son that he’s not perceived the same way as his white friends and might be seen as a threat to police officers simply because of the color of his skin. The response was amazing. I hit a chord, with the black community who were shocked to see a white person depict their struggle. For the most part, they were very grateful and hopeful it was a positive sign for the future. However it was such an unusual occurrence, it was met with suspicion by some.
Do you think the power of social media nowadays helps ‘The Talk’, or is it making everything even harder for black families in terms of accessibility to graphic images of police violence for instance?
Based on the reactions to my art, I think social media reveals the unvarnished beliefs and mores of our society. It has been a conduit to enlighten the white community about the black experience and it has also brought the racists out from under their rocks. Donald Trump’s use of Twitter has certainly emboldened many racists out of the closet on their social media. Social media, unlike cable news or talk radio, allows exposure to and interaction with people of different views. Unfortunately, the interaction is often not very civil from the right. At least, that’s my experience.
In your short film BLACK INjustice AMERICA, one of your guests points out your ‘It Stops With Cops’ campaign during the interview. Do you think there is such a thing called ‘a good cop’ within the context of capitalism and colonialism by its nature and purpose?
The person who said that to me in my film was Van Jones. He saw it on my shirt and it’s rewarding to see he’s using those words on television today.
Cops are people, there are good ones, bad ones, and everything in between. We have to make it easier for the good cops to break through the blue wall to stop the bad ones. The subhead of my It Stops With Cops campaign reads Good Cops Don’t Let Bad Cops Kill Defenseless Citizens. Half a decade later, there is legislation coming out that makes the “good” cops who allow brutality to happen, also responsible. It has been said that the police exist to protect the rich from the poor. Especially blacks. I believe it is possible and necessary to have a positive police force, but we have to rebuild it from scratch with accountability. No one should be above the law, especially those who we pay to enforce them.
You have been actively following protests for years, do you think there are any differences between the profile and the context now? It has been two weeks since George Floyd was murdered, and people are still out. Are we finally getting close to that long-overdue tipping point?
I think we are reaching a tipping point. Things are much different now. When I started protesting years ago, my curly white head stuck out like a sore thumb. Now the crowds of protesters are bigger, more determined, and probably more white than black. White people have finally awoken from their willful ignorance and refuse to be a party to oppressors. I don’t like giving him credit for anything, but I think Trump is inadvertently responsible for the change we are seeing. His blatant racism has caused white people to look in the mirror in disgust.
Also, do you see any organizational improvements? People are still out protesting, but we hardly see any party or union signs at the protests. Isn’t that a heartbreaking sign for the future?
Real change always starts with the people. Eventually, when enough people get involved, it starts to affect the bottom line of organizations and elected officials. That’s where we are now. You have the NFL commissioner saying he was wrong to try to stop the players from kneeling. You have Republican Senator, Mitt Romney joining the protests. General Mattis denouncing his old boss’ use of military force against protesters, Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski agreeing with the General and Republican Senator, Susan Collins seemingly following suit. Capitol Records hoisted the Black Lives Matter Flag atop their famous building. More will come in quick succession because they calculate it’s beneficial for them to be on the right side of history.
The protests across the country have already made some achievements such as the arrested or fired officers, removed monuments, some possible policing reform talks. Especially ‘Defund Police’ seems to be a right on slogan. What should be some realistic goals?
We should keep it simple. We need police forces that serve and protect, not ones that dominate. We need one that is accountable, rejects racism, doesn’t kill unarmed citizens or shoot rubber bullets and tear gas at peaceful protesters. I would eliminate the riot squad and undo the militarization of the police. If as it seems, the police are unable or unwilling to police themselves, maybe it doesn’t stop with cops, perhaps it stops with independent prosecutors and legislators.
Finally, Sam Cooke said ‘A change is gonna come!’ almost fifty years ago now. Do you think that change will ever come someday?
There will always be racists. The us versus them mentality is a major flaw in the human condition. That said, I think we are in the middle of great change. Centuries of condemnation of all forms of homosexuality have been rejected in our lifetime. Now we are seeing the same thing with racism. Change is hard, but we can make it happen. To flip Dickens, “These are the worst of times, these are the best of times.”
Get social w/Michael D’Antuono
It Stops With Cops 
American Patriots 
The Talk 
The Truth 
A Tale of Two Hoodies 
Unbalanced
