Poet and Activist Tinasha LaRayé’s Artist Statement

"When I look at the world of racial injustice today, I see a couple of missing ingredients: Hope & a Dream. 400 Year Hope Song is a piece I crafted to infuse into hearts the hope necessary for the journey ahead, without erasing the happenings that brought us to where we are. I am a strong believer in looking at the story...the REAL story, and letting the past inform you of how you got to where you are so you can build a better future. I want this future we are building to have the key ingredient of redemption, which means hope must be in the foundation of how and what we are building. The pain is real, but I believe we can be healed of it. The injustice is grave, but I believe we can be redeemed of it. The evil seems indestructible, but I believe what Dr. King says is true...love can drive out hate and if we fight evil, and not people, the real enemy, which is evil, will soon meet its demise." - Tinasha LaRayé

Choreographer: Amanda Fish
Composer: Jason Rohona
Casting: Joy Thayer
Production Assistant: Erin Sprinkle
Production Assistant: Jasmine M. Garcia

Film Camera: 1959 Bolex H16 REX1
Film Stocks: 16mm Kodak Vision 250D, 50D, 500T
Film Lab: CineLab Boston