The powerful Black Lives Matter movement has been a long-time coming to the United States. In overwhelming numbers, people are coming together to lend strength to the idea that a human is a human and that the color of one’s skin should not be a determining factor with regard to equality and justice. Whether through protest or discussion of the subject with the next generation, everyone has been challenged to participate. Jorg Dubin, a local artist in Laguna Beach, has created a sculpture of the iconic BLM fist next to the LCAD to create awareness of the movement.

“Having lived through the ’60s and watched all the civil unrest happening then and learned about the Civil Rights Movement, it was hard for me to think that 50 plus years later nothing has really changed,” said Dubin. “We have a lot of systemic problems around race and our legal system. Watching what happened to Mr. Floyd and so many countless other people of color being abused and killed by police made it hard for me to maintain silence.”

Dubin claims he has always wanted his work to be more than just pretty or cute. He feels every so often, an artist must step away from an economic focus and have some commentary on the time we live in now, and express that through art. Breaking from the ordinary and diving into the controversial and risky subject matter is sometimes the best support. In line with our times, anyone coming into Laguna will see that massive fist and contemplate their role in the powerful event taking place globally. 

“It’s so important to be informed and aware of the BLM movement because of the ongoing social injustices that have occurred. All generations need to be educated and learn more from this so we can be better in the future and to embrace everyone no matter their background,” said Founder of the LBHS Embrace Club Nikki Asghari. “We need to break down the barriers, stereotypes and racism! We need to treat everyone with respect, and this is why it’s so important to be informed of this movement.”

As the majority of Laguna Beach is non-BIPOC, its citizens need to understand that there is something they can do that will benefit the greater good.

“People of color live in a very different country than white people. Hard to imagine we are still dealing with this issue,” said Dubin. “Dr. King and John Lewis would ask us all not to give up hope but beyond that, we all need to get involved whether on a local level or nationally. Complacency is what got us here. Civic involvement is the only thing that will right the ship.”

1BIPOC is an acronym that stands for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color… BIPOC is meant to emphasize the particular hardships faced by Black and Indigenous people in the US and Canada—especially because Indigenous people often get forgotten in social justice causes and that anti-Black racism is particularly virulent. – Dictionary.com