“Monica” 36 x 30 ink on panel 2023

Monica’s family moved to Compton near south Los Angeles in the mid 50’s amid a backdrop of intense racial discrimination. Some of the first black families entering Compton neighborhoods were met with violence, vandalism, and terror. One of the many forms of discrimination was in the use of housing covenants, deed restrictions and extralegal measures that restricted minorities from home ownership in many parts of Los Angeles. They were limited by covenants as well as a narrow access to financing known as redlining. These covenants were a part of southern California housing since the late nineteenth century and they were struck down partially in 1948 and then completely in 1953.

The words I chose to use in the formation of this portrait are sections from current residential deeds that still to this day contain the covenants restricting ownership to whites only, though they lack any legal standing.

Part of the Lakers “In the Paint” program.

Available Online : https://www.bandofvices.com/itp2024