Ritual Reckoning

September 2019

In conjunction with the 100-year commemoration of Will Brown’s lynching in Omaha, the artist Vanessa German led a “ritual reckoning” — a two-mile procession in honor of Brown and other people of color whose lives have been lost to violence. This performance coincided with German’s exhibition sometimes.we.cannot.be.with.our.bodies.

Accompanied by seven performers, German walked to the Douglas County District Court (map) where the group performed a goodbye ritual song inspired in part by Mende birth and funeral rites.