“I would trouble the idea that artists need institutions. I think it’s the other way around. I think institutions need artists. They don’t have anything without us,” she said to a rousing cheer from the audience.

The Black aesthetic is bought, sold, traded, and disregarded like a commodity. It feels like everyone else is profiting from our culture except us. “Drifting on a Memory” is a celebration of our collective expression despite attempts to silence, isolate, destroy, and re-tell our stories.

But to truly rely on [museums] to build systems that benefit us would be much like asking questions posed in this tweet: Is Mastercard a queer ally? Is [insert corporation] my friend? Is the Speed Art Museum a feminist?

I had enjoyed watching the show as I’m sure it enjoyed watching me. I can imagine a similar relationship between the past and present. Our history creating our moment, and our moment informing our history, both relishing in the control they have over the other. A staring contest where everyone can win if no one blinks.