Placard worn during the Millions March NYC protest on December 13, 2014

Source catalog description

This description refers to material held by Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Visual details below describe the original material.

A white placard with a gray ribbon attached to the top, worn by Laini Madhubuti during a December 13, 2014 protest march organized by Millions March NYC in New York City. Centered on the front of the placard is handwritten text in black ink, red ink, and graphite that reads, [Your / fear / does not / define me. / and it damn sure / shouldn’t KILL me!], with the word [KILL] underlined. Centered on the back of the placard is handwritten text in black ink that reads [Fear of / BLACKNESS / IS NOT / SELF- / DEFENSE!], with the word [NOT] underlined. The gray ribbon has been threaded through holes punched in the top corners of the placard and knotted in place. The ribbon is also knotted at the top.

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