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Dread Scott works in a wide range of media, including performance, installation, screen-printing, and video. His most controversial piece of work was the 1989 project titled 'What is the Proper Way to Display a US Flag?'. He is a recipient of a 2018 United States Artists Fellowship, and has been written in several newspapers including The New York Times, and The London Guardian. With regards to his work Scott explains, "I make revolutionary art to propel history forward. I look towards an era without exploitation or oppression" (Scott, n.d.).

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Figure 1. Dread Scott posing with volunteer firemen for his presentation. (Mark Von Holden Photography, 2014)

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'On the Impossibility of Freedom in a Country Founded on Slavery and Genocide'

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'On the Impossibility of Freedom in a Country Founded on Slavery and Genocide'

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This presentation describes the pursuit of freedom, specifically referring to the 1963 Civil Rights struggle that took place in Birmingham, Alabama. During the protest, the government used high-pressure water jets against protesters as well as bystanders to retain the societal norm: segregation. Although this event occurred over half a century ago, the racial implications still remain intact today, especially when observing the conflict between American police and black people. This shows Scott's motive in action; mirroring the society of the past with that of the present.

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Figure 2. Exposition of Dread Scott's 'Impossibility of Freedom' presentation. (Mark Von Holden Photography, 2014)

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Freedom in its simplest form, is the ability to say or act without any boundaries. America defines itself as a 'free' country, and yet a lot of its citizens do not experience this so called freedom. They are continuously exploited and oppressed to maintain the corrupted societal structure. Of course, most if not all of these citizens happen to be of colour. Scott believes that true freedom is impossible in America as a result of its past; America's history of slavery (blacks) and genocide (First Nations) have shaped the present where white people still consider themselves superior. And what better way to retain that power than through law enforcement.

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Figure 3. Scott shielding himself from the water being sprayed at him. (Mark Von Holden Photography, 2014)

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Throughout the United States, there have been numerous protests with regards to police brutality against unarmed black people. In addition, it has always been the authorities that have exhibited lethal force in both everyday situations, as well as organized protests. However, the message from the black community has always come through peaceful protest and debate. It is the government, as shown in Scott's presentation, that is utilizing means to mercilessly beat the oppressed into submission.

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Figure 4. Scott steps forward with open arms into the continued hosing. (Dread Scott, 2014)

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There is only so much pain and agony that one can take until they are fed up and want it to stop. This is not just the case with the modern day black community, but has been the situation for decades. Yet, the behaviour of authorities and the white community still remains unchanged. They continue to discriminate people of colour, and do so in a violent and demeaning manner that is even costing people their lives. Although discrimination is no longer a part of the body of law (ie. separate washrooms, seating on public transportation, etc.), the beliefs and values that it formed years ago are still existent today.

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Figure 5. Scott extending out an arm, trying to cut through the water flow. (Dread Scott, 2014)

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No matter what protest, demonstration, debate, etc. that has taken place involving this issue, the same goal has been present for black people: to achieve the same social status as white people. However, this is perceived by authorities as a threat to the societal structure developed over the years of segregation and racial discrimination. Therefore, any potential reform is considered dangerous, and lethal action, more often than not, is taken to prevent it from taking place. Although this has been the condition for so many years, and the black community continues to be hindered and knocked down in the struggle for freedom, they have shown the ability to persevere and push forward.

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Figure 6. Scott slips and falls down onto the hard concrete. (Mark Von Holden Photography, 2014)

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There are two weaknesses present in this situation: the linear nature of Scott's attempted progress to freedom, and his belief regarding the possibility of freedom in the United States. As observed in these images, the force opposing a black man's steps towards freedom is constant and overwhelming. However, the water hose only travels in a linear direction, thus can be outmaneuvered. This same notion can be applied to the steps taken towards freedom. Perhaps, people have been experiencing 'tunnel vision', and are only developing solutions from one viewpoint. Instead, they should take another route and progress to a solution from a different angle that could prove more effective than others before. Is it not possible then that Scott's belief of unachievable freedom also stems from the concept of linear thinking? I think if he took more of an emotional approach rather than the societal approach, people would have been able to understand and internalize his message at a more personal level, thus sparking behavioural change.

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Figure 7. Dread Scott continues to try and parry the incoming water. (Dread Scott, 2014)

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Overall, Dread Scott's presentation is effective in its message to its viewers. It gives them the understanding of the flaws present in both past and present-day society; that black lives still do not matter as much as they should. Although it views the issue on a societal level, people of all races can decide against conforming to its twisted values and stand up for the oppressed. This demonstrates what any reader can take away from this: the past forms the present, and the present forms the future. The events of the past tell us how we got here, the events of the present tell us where we will go.

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Figure 8. Scott speaking to his audience following the performance. (Mark Von Holden Photography, 2014)

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Scott, D. (n.d.). Dread Scott. Retrieved October 23, 2018, from http://www.dreadscott.net/about
Scott, D. (n.d.) On the Impossibility of Freedom in a Country Founded on Slavery and Genocide. Retrieved October 17, 2018 from http://www.dreadscott.net/works/impossibility-of-freedom
Figures
Figure 1. Holden, M. V. (2014) Dread Scott posing with volunteer firemen for his presentation [Online Image]. Retrieved October 23, 2018, from http://www.dreadscott.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Impossibility-of-Freedom-11.jpg?x12531. Copyright 2014 by Mark Van Holden Photography. Reprinted as per fair dealing policy.
Figure 2. Holden, M. V. (2014) Exposition of Dread Scott's 'Impossibility of Freedom' presentation [Online Image]. Retrieved October 23, 2018 from http://www.dreadscott.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Impossibility-of-Freedom-03.jpg?x12531. Copyright 2014 by Mark Van Holden Photography. Reprinted as per fair dealing policy.
Figure 3. Holden, M. V. (2014) Scott shielding himself from the water being sprayed at him [Online Image]. Retrieved October 23, 2018 from http://www.dreadscott.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Impossibility-of-Freedom-07.jpg?x12531. Copyright 2014 by Mark Van Holden Photography. Reprinted as per fair dealing policy.
Figure 6. Holden, M. V. (2014) Scott slips and falls down onto the hard concrete [Online Image] Retrieved on October 23, 2018 from http://www.dreadscott.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Impossibility-of-Freedom-08.jpg?x12531. Copyright 2014 by Mark Van Holden Photography. Reprinted as per fair dealing policy.
Figure 8. Holden, M. V. (2014) Scott speaking to his audience following the performance [Online Image] Retrieved on October 23, 2018 from http://www.dreadscott.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Impossibility-of-Freedom-12.jpg?x12531. Copyright 2014 by Mark Van Holden Photography. Reprinted as per fair dealing policy.
Figure 4. Scott, D. (2014) Scott steps forward with open arms into the continued hosing [Online Image]. Retrieved October 23, 2018 from http://www.dreadscott.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/On-the-Impossibility-still-2-VGA.jpg?x12531. Reprinted as per http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/
Figure 5. Scott, D. (2014) Scott extending out an arm, trying to cut through the water flow [Online Image] Retrieved October 23, 2018 from http://www.dreadscott.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Impossibility-of-Freedom-04.jpg?x12531. Reprinted as per http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/
Figure 7. Scott, D. (2014) Dread Scott continues to try and parry the incoming water [Online Image] Retrieved on October 23, 2018 from http://www.dreadscott.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/On-the-Impossibility-still-1-FINAL-AMS-VGA.jpg?x12531. Reprinted as per http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/