“The Youthful Fortitude of Melatone” (ORIGINAL)

Vernon Adams (b. 1985)

Oil on Canvas

30x24 in

This piece displays what young melanated strength looks like in a positive, playful light. The toddler shows her strength of standing on her own against opposition- even if the opposition is just a puppy that wants play. It represents how much heart a black woman has in her early years of life. These are the early signs of black woman fortitude looked down on by many other groups as negative demeanor brought on by conditioning.

This painting symbolically displays