Testify by Takeisha Jefferson

Issue 179

"Testify" stands as my response to the structure fabric of American history, particularly the Black experience within it. As a Black woman and an artist, I’ve come to understand the profound power that narratives hold—their ability to shape not only our sense of history but also our identities and our place within this landscape.

Growing up, I learned that narratives often cloak the truth, especially regarding the histories of people of color in America. This body of work seeks to unearth and challenge these oversimplified, often misleading narratives. Through pieces like "Irrefutable," I aim to create space for dialogue and encourage a deeper engagement with our shared history. My work confronts the intergenerational impacts of this history, inviting viewers to pause and consider the legacies we carry with us.

In repurposing texts on the Confederacy and the Civil War, I reflect the ongoing attempts to narrow or silence access to certain historical narratives. By reworking these texts, I challenge audiences to consider not only what we know of our past but also how we’ve come to know it. This approach encourages a critical look at the sources of our knowledge and what it means to reclaim narratives that have long been overlooked or suppressed.

My own family’s history, deeply rooted in this continent, is emblematic of the complexity that defines American history. This lineage affirms not only the presence but the belonging of Black lives in the American story—a presence often written out, yet undeniable.

"Testify" is not solely a reflection on the past; it’s a call to reconsider how we engage with history today, with an eye toward what kind of future we want to build. In an age saturated with media and information, critical thinking becomes all the more essential. I believe in the power of art to engage minds in ways that traditional narratives, textbooks, or headlines cannot. Art reaches beyond academic or political discourse, creating a space where perspectives can be challenged and, perhaps, transformed.

Through my work, I hope to inspire a shift—a way of looking, learning, and listening that opens doors to understanding. "Testify" stands as a witness, calling us to bear that witness together, to the complexity, resilience, and undeniable contributions of Black life to the American story. In doing so, it holds a mirror up to the narratives we inherit and those we create, inviting us all to play a role in telling a fuller truth.

Takeisha Jefferson (she/her) lives and works in Ann Arbor/Detroit, Michigan, United States.
www.takeishas.com | @takeishaart