Year of the Rat 2020
- Dorothy Annette
- Jun 6
- 2 min read
It occurs to me that "we the people" suffer from a tranquilized obviousness. Indignities and atrocities have long been a part of our nation’s history. During the year of the Rat 2020 the whole world awakened to the attitudes of America about Race and Racism. The COVID VIRUS killed the most vulnerable first - African Americans and elders - due to underling medical conditions caused by lack of resources. George Floyd’s televised murder at the hands and knees of the police shocked the world.
My oil painting, The Year of the Rat, details - in one city block - the events of the first year of the pandemic when our world woke up! Awoke to less post office boxes to mail our voting ballots. Awoke to televised murder, especially of people of color by law officers. Awoke to the burning of school books. Awoke to long lines of those waiting to assert their right to vote. Awoke to wearing gloves and masks, for an unknown virus that some already knew was airborne. Awoke to an uprising at our Capital complete with scaffolding to hang lawmakers. Awoke to many of our brothers and sisters who lost their lives because of the color of the skin they're living in. Awoke to a loud assertion that Black Lives Matter! Awoke to George Floyd murals on shuttered storefronts. Awoke to peaceful and not so peaceful marches.
My frustration and outrage at the events during the year of the Rat is expressed in every swirl and brushstroke. The events of 2025 have sparked a renewed rage within.
