Published: Aug. 10, 2020, 2:44 p.m.
Ricardo Levins Morales describes himself as a “healer and trickster organizer disguised as an artist.” He was born into the anti-colonial movement in his native Puerto Rico and was drawn into activism in Chicago when his family moved there in 1967. Ricardo left high school early and worked in various industries, and over time began to use his art as part of his activism. This activism has included support work for the Black Panthers and Young Lords to participate in or acting in solidarity with farmers, environmental, labor, racial justice and peace movements. Increasingly Ricardo sees his art and organizing practices as means to address individual, collective and historical trauma. He does workshops on creative organizing, social justice strategy and sustainable activism, and mentors and supports young activists. Ricardo’s art has won numerous awards but the greatest affirmation is the uses to which it has been put by grassroots movements and communities.