Illegible Representations, Collaborative Protests

Abstract

In this paper, members of COLLECTIVE reflect on the show Illegible and the specific performance for Mr. Olango’s family. Using an auto-ethnographic approach, this paper explores the role of artists in transforming critical scholarship and social protests into social justice advocacy, particularly around issues of representation, inequality, systemic racism, and police violence as experienced by Black men. In exploring the creative processes and impact of this performance, Illegible offers lyrics, movement, and music as representative of distinct and collaborative protests against anti-Black racism.