We Belong, We Belong

For many of my generation and younger, Uncle Bob Santos was a mentor, father-figure – and homie. He nurtured relationships not just through the social justice work we did “out in the community,” but through karaoke in our communal den, Bush Garden. There, we sang for and with one another, transforming weariness, sorrow or even rage into unfettered joy. Uncle Bob was the hearth, gathering us all in with his smooth crooning, easy laugh and goofy game, letting this mishmash of humans know that we were all welcome. In the words of the Pat Benatar song we often belted out: “Whatever we deny or embrace for worse or for better. We belong, we belong, we belong together.”  

Uncle Bob Santos Place
417 8th Ave. S., Seattle, WA
Commissioned by InterIm Community Development Association

Central District Voices: Memories & Messages

From 2008 to 2015, I lived in the Central Area, the historically diverse, predominantly African American Seattle neighborhood that was quickly gentrifying. Meanwhile, racist violence against Black and Brown youth were —and still are — all too common. I wanted to offer a visual reminder of the precious children in our midst — my neighbors — with the hope of getting the broader community to cherish and protect them.

Total of 8 artworks displayed temporarily along the Central Area Greenway
Seattle Office of Arts and Culture, Art Interruptions Program