Viral Illustrator Kaylani Juanita Is Immortalizing Black Lives One Drawing At A Time
It was only a week ago that we learned the identity of Nia Wilson, the 18-year-old girl who became another victim of senseless violence after she was stabbed and murdered by a man, who has now been identified as John Lee Cowell, in a Bay Area train station.
Her sister, Latifa, who was also injured in the attack, was left only with the memory her sister being viciously stolen from her by white privilege and then publicly persecuted by mass media.
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The violent deaths of black Americans flood our timelines, as these visualizations have become a genre of porn in this digital age. The images that we consume on social media alone are horrific enough to trigger PTSD in our already fragile mentalities. Nia's death is proof that black lives are at stake, and senseless violence does not discriminate.
Oppression is officially mainstream, but there is one warrior of justice whose mission is to incite change in our social and political landscapes through an unlikely method.
With a pen in her hand and passion in her heart, 25-year-old Kaylani Juanita seeks to use art as her weapon of choice on the tumultuous battlefield of injustice that we encounter every day as black women. The California native recently came into the the spotlight after her illustration of Nia Wilson went viral on social media.
The young artist hopes to continue to use her art to tell the stories of those who have been otherwise silenced, most importantly, black women. "I wanted the illustration to portray Nia as young, innocent, vibrant, and warm because that's how I saw Nia when Latifa spoke, that's how I view little sisters. It's my response to people who've warped Nia's image with misleading pictures of her, as if certain photographs justify the murder. I wanted to use Latifa's quote to remind people of Nia's humanity, and to remind people that Latifa had to defend Nia's dignity hours after Nia was murdered," Kaylani told ELLE, "Black people shouldn't have to constantly defend their humanity, especially in situations like this. We should say her name, Nia Wilson, and we should tell her story."
xoNecole had the opportunity to talk with the young visionary about the inspiration behind her melanted illustrations, as well as her identity as a biracial artist and why our voices are necessary to the conversation about the future of our country.
Kaylani Juanita
Kaylani told us that she was barely out of kindergarten when she discovered her affinity and lifelong passion. She said, "I've always loved art. My mom said I used to draw on the walls if she didn't keep an eye on me. I don't remember when I actually fell in love with illustration. The earliest memory I had was in the second grade. I had to draw a picture of what I wanted to be when I grew up, so I drew a very detailed colored pencil drawing of myself as a police woman with very curvy hips. I remember not wanting to be a police officer, but really enjoying drawing myself as one."
Creating visuals that represent and amplify the voice of a generation was not always Kaylani's vision for the future, but during her college career, she realized that it was necessary. "I went to school for illustration and my program focused on editorial art," she told xoNecole, "Most of my class assignments consisted of reading a political or science article then creating a mock editorial illustration for the article. Currently, I spend most of my time making art for picture books, which has to be child-friendly. But I make time to illustrate personal art about political topics".
The inspiration behind her socially charged artwork comes from her own life experiences. Kaylani shared that one of her biggest challenges has been overcoming depression and anxiety as a biracial woman in predominantly white professional spaces. It became her mission to fuse her bold and playful artwork with important political statements.
Kaylani was able to combine her passion with her purpose, and says that her art is dedicated to empowering others and allowing them to feel represented. She said, "I illustrate different types of black women and children because there's a very visible lack of us in mainstream art (comics, graphic novels, cartoons, picture books, editorial illustration, advertisements, surface design, posters, etc.) Growing up, I consumed a lot of these things but never saw myself in them unless it was tokenized representation. I want black people, specifically black women, black lgbtq+ folk, and black children to see themselves when they see my art."
"I want black people to see themselves when they see my art."
Although her mission is not one that's easily accomplished, improving the social landscape for minority groups is a challenge that Kaylani has accepted with honor.
The artist told us, "Artwork is important to our political climate as WOC because it's easily accessible and a great tool to help spread a message. You can add your perspective through aspects like the style, or medium, or composition. Plus, it keeps the person and their story in circulation, which helps us remember people and maintain their relevance. Whether it be an illustration of a civil rights leader, or an illustration of a deceased loved one, it's always good to make art to prevent us from forgetting who they were and how it relates to now."
"Artwork is important to our political climate as WOC because it's easily accessible and a great tool to help spread a message."
If we don't remember our history, it will always repeat itself. Kaylani and other women who use their art to incite change are catalysts for progression in an oppressive society.
The young illustrator is proof that when our passion and purpose merge, we have a chance at making the world a better place, one piece of art at a time.
For more Kaylani, follow her on Instagram.
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Taylor "Pretty" Honore is a spiritually centered and equally provocative rapper from Baton Rouge, Louisiana with a love for people and storytelling. You can probably find me planting herbs in your local community garden, blasting "Back That Thang Up" from my mini speaker. Let's get to know each other: @prettyhonore.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LISTÂ HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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When discussing the topic of raising children, discipline is often the first thing that comes to mind. Children need discipline. Full stop. But what is discipline? And how do we draw the line between discipline and revenge?
The origin of the word "discipline" can be traced back to the Latin word "disciplina," which means "instruction" or "teaching." Over time, however, discipline has come to be synonymous with punishment, with parents relying on shame, fear, and/or physical pain to curb undesirable behavior.
Teaching takes time, so nipping it in the bud in whatever fashion parents deem necessary (within reason) has become the norm. But is this what’s best for children? And when does it become less about curbing undesirable behavior and more about getting our licks back for offenses we feel our children should know better to do?
In my work as a parenting coach, I’ve often heard parents say, “I asked him nicely three times before spanking him. He didn’t stop doing it until I did, so clearly talking doesn’t work.”
And the parent isn’t wrong. Talking often doesn’t work the first, the third, or the even the 10th time. And the reason is directly tied to brain development.
Children cannot and do not process information the way an adult can. Auditory processing is not fully developed until a child is 14 or 15 years old. And even then, if a child has auditory processing delays or Auditory Processing Disorder (APD), they may always struggle with processing auditory commands. According to Susie S. Loraine, MA, CCC-SLP, the term auditory processing refers to how the brain perceives and interprets sound information. Several skills determine auditory processing ability—or listening success. They develop in a general four-step hierarchy, but all work together and are essential for daily listening.
Without this understanding, discipline can easily become revenge because parents will then view their child’s misdeeds as a personal slight. Instead of teaching them to do better, parents now want to show them the consequences of not doing better. This is why it's imperative for parents to discern between discipline and revenge to maintain healthy relationships with their children.
5 WAYS TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN PARENTAL GUIDANCE AND RETALIATION:Â Â
​Understanding The Intent
Discipline is rooted in love and concern for the child's well-being. It focuses on teaching lessons and helping children understand the consequences of their actions. Conversely, revenge-driven actions stem from a desire to inflict pain or punishment as payback for perceived slights or disobedience. Parents should reflect on their motives before taking disciplinary actions. Ask yourself whether your intention is to help your child learn or to make them suffer for upsetting you.
Example: If a child accidentally breaks a valuable item, a disciplinary response would involve discussing the importance of being careful and working with the child to come up with a way to replace or fix what they’ve broken. On the other hand, a vengeful reaction might involve yelling, harsh punishment, or bringing up past mistakes to intensify guilt.
​Maintaining Emotional Regulation
Effective discipline requires parents to remain calm and composed, even in challenging situations. It's natural to feel upset or frustrated when children misbehave, but responding with anger or resentment can escalate the situation and blur the line between discipline and revenge. Before addressing the issue, take a moment to breathe and collect your thoughts.
Example: If a child cannot follow instructions, a disciplined response would involve calmly explaining why their cooperation is necessary in working with the child to accomplish the goal. Conversely, a retaliatory response might involve shouting, name-calling, or resorting to physical punishment out of anger.
​Promoting Growth and Learning
Discipline should always aim to promote growth and learning. It involves guiding children toward making better choices and understanding the impact of their actions on themselves and others. Effective discipline strategies include positive reinforcement, setting clear expectations, and providing opportunities for reflection and growth.
Example: If a child repeatedly forgets to complete their chores, a disciplinary approach would involve discussing the importance of responsibility and finding solutions together, such as creating a chore chart or setting reminders with Siri or Alexa. In contrast, a revenge-driven response might involve imposing overly harsh punishments or belittling the child, which can undermine their self-esteem and hinder their ability to learn from their mistakes.
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Building Trust and Communication
Trust and open communication are essential components of a healthy parent-child relationship. Discipline should strengthen this bond by fostering trust and encouraging children to confide in their parents without fear of judgment or retaliation. When children feel safe and supported, they're more likely to accept discipline as a form of guidance rather than punishment.
Example: If a child admits to breaking a rule or making a mistake, a disciplined response would involve listening to their perspective, discussing the consequences of their actions, and working together to find a solution. Conversely, a retaliatory response might involve accusations, blame, or shutting down communication, which can erode trust and damage the parent-child relationship.
Seeking Professional Guidance
Parenting is a learning journey, and, disciplining children is a delicate balance between guiding them toward responsible behavior and nurturing their growth. By understanding the intent behind our actions, maintaining emotional regulation, promoting growth and learning, building trust and communication, and seeking professional guidance when needed, as parents we can help our children built on love, respect, and understanding.
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Featured image by Courtney Hale/Getty Images