Indoctrination in the Dark
“Indoctrination in the Dark” is my series of twelve paintings that focus on the movie plots that I, and many of the men who run our government, grew up on; plot lines that present the subjugation of women as entertainment. These stories have presented distorted male/female power dynamics, sexual assault, and even rape as either comedy or the path to true love and happiness. Their plot lines groomed men to do whatever it takes to achieve their agendas, teaching them that ignoring or dismissing what a woman says, is the action of a hero.
The impetus for this series came from Brett Kavanaugh's Supreme Court confirmation hearing where he himself cited these movies and their influence on him as a teenager. His words, and the outcome of those hearings, haunted me. I couldn’t fathom how, twenty-seven years after Anita Hill, regardless of one's politics, a woman’s words could still be delegitimized and dismissed for someone else’s agenda.
I found part of that answer in the plot lines of these movies we were raised on.
These paintings reveal the false messaging of these movies, highlight the power of storytelling, and the danger of giving that power to others. It is my hope this work will inspire women to reclaim that power and write their own stories. With them, we can begin to undo this “Indoctrination in the Dark”.
National Domestic Violence Hotline
Call 1-800-799-7233 and TTY 1-800-787-3224
www.ndvh.org
Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network’s (RAINN)
National Sexual Assault Hotline
Call 800-656-HOPE (4673) to be connected with a trained staff member from a sexual assault service provider in your area.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1-800-273-8255 (TALK)
www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
Love is Respect National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline
Call 1-866-331-9474 or TTY 1-866-331-8453
The Strong Hearts Native Helpline
1-844-7NATIVE (762-8483) (call or text) are available to assist you.
National Resource Center on Domestic Violence
1-800-537-2238
www.nrcdv.org and www.vawnet.org
National Center for Victims of Crime
1-202-467-8700
www.victimsofcrime.org
Futures Without Violence: The National Health Resource Center on Domestic Violence
1-888-792-2873
www.futureswithoutviolence.org
National Center on Domestic Violence, Trauma & Mental Health
1-312-726-7020 ext. 2011
www.nationalcenterdvtraumamh.org
National Runaway Safeline
1-800-RUNAWAY or 1-800-786-2929
www.1800runaway.org