Recently, a media onslaught led by the New York Post has turned its focus on criticizing my public artwork, Phoenix Ladder: Monument to the People of the Bronx. This attack is part of an ongoing campaign against me, rooted in the fascist dynamics that define our current reality—a reality that has always been present for Black, Indigenous, and colonized communities worldwide. Aime Cesaire’s concept of the ‘imperial boomerang’ is manifesting as this crisis unfolds, and my permanent public art continues to reflect this struggle.
In 2018, I took on the commission for Phoenix Ladder amidst a period when the foundational violence of the United States’ settler-colonial history was under scrutiny. Movements like Black Lives Matter and Occupy Wall Street had shifted the narrative, provoking a right-wing backlash that evolved from the Tea Party to events like the Charlottesville rally. In that same year, efforts to dismantle oppressive monuments were gaining ground, such as the removal of the Theodore Roosevelt statue in New York. This context fueled my desire to create a new kind of monument in the Bronx.
As a Bronx-born artist and organizer, I saw the commission as a chance to honor our community’s histories and futures. Phoenix Ladder, although formally titled a monument of New York City, serves as a grassroots declaration, inviting those on the margins of the empire to gather and resist. The plaque reads, ‘Let this monument serve as a rallying cry,’ symbolizing unity among diverse communities affected by imperialism. It aims to reclaim public space for collaborative resistance, confronting issues like predatory landlords and ICE threats.
The journey to complete this project was arduous, spanning seven years and intersecting with numerous struggles, including the pandemic and widespread social unrest following George Floyd’s murder. Despite the fascist resurgence and legislative assaults on rights, Phoenix Ladder was unveiled in November 2025. It stands as a tribute and beacon for the Bronx community, unsettling to those who understand its revolutionary implications.
In May 2023, I faced backlash from right-wing student groups, such as Students for Life of America, leading to threats and legal challenges. This incident resulted in my dismissal from Hunter College under media pressure. Such responses have set a precedent for institutional reactions, impacting those supporting Palestinian resistance. Today, the resurgence of white Christian supremacy is evident, perpetuating historical patterns of racial oppression. Yet, Phoenix Ladder endures as a testament to resilience and hope.
