b. Robert Moore (American, born 1983)

Kin to War, 2023

Run Time: 1:42

Recorded by b. Robert Moore / Oct 2023

Hi. This is b. Robert Moore and you are viewing my original artwork titled Kin to War, created in 2023 and part of the Des Moines Art Center’s Permanent Collection. This work was created in response to the history of America in both global war and stateside civil war. Back in the day, British Knights, or BKs, were a clothing brand, but also a cultural gang reference, Blood Killers. I remember knowing better than to be caught in the wrong neighborhood wearing this particular brand.

In this work I’m referencing world war history and the role the Black American has played both as voluntary and involuntary sacrificing of their lives. Often fighting a battle for two sides of historical Colonialism. Kind of messed up, actually. It reminds me of Medgar Evers. Evars served in the United States Army during World War II from 1943 to 1945. He was sent to the European theater, where he participated in the Normandy landings in June, in 1944. Only to return home to America to continue fighting another war. A civil war here, where he was fighting for his freedom as a Black man and a veteran.

As a Black American, many of us have both African and European lineage as a result of rape and derogation of the Black community from our colonizers. I’m also biracial so I have a direct collection to both European and African lineage equally. I know what set I claim, even when I’m in the wrong hood. What set do you claim when you’re from both hoods? Rhetorical.