Physical (Analog) Materials, bulk: 2017 - 2018

The Physical (Analog) materials series contains offensive and harmful language and imagery including racist and violent references and imagery. The purpose of this note is to give users the opportunity to decide whether they need or want to view these materials, or at least, to mentally or emotionally prepare themselves to view the materials. 

The Materials leading up to August 11 and 12, 2017, and the "Unite the Right" Rally subseries contains items that help to contextualize these events as part of the "summer of hate". Most notably, a tear gas canister used by the police was recovered from the July 8 rally. Some of the materials that capture the community's reaction to July 8 and its reaction to the planned August 12 rally include notes from a July 14 city meeting, articles about the KKK rally, a July 14 press conference release, flyers and a zine regarding the Lee and Jackson statues and the "Unite the Right" rally, and a printout of an online announcement from the Office of the President of the University of Virginia about the rally scheduled for August 12. There are also printed email correspondence between members of city council, and Charlottesville police officers from August 10, 2017.

The Materials from August 11 and 12, 2017, and the "Unite the Right" Rally subseries relates to the events and ongoings of August 11 and 12, 2017. Correspondence among Charlottesville police officers and among members of Charlottesville City Council reveal the plans, logistics, and reactions in real time to the incidents taking place on the night of August 11, 2017 when white nationalists/white supremacists gathered holding ‘Tiki’ torches, five of which are included in this subseries as the first 5 tube boxes. Materials included from the August 12 rally are posters and signs expressing opposition to white supremacy and fascism that were carried by counter-protesters, and artifacts like a red armband, a red flag, and a remnant of kekistan flag burned in Justice Park. There are also printed materials recovered from that day, such as flyers and programs for church services, an educational zine, an anti-fascist flyer, and a white supremacy flyer.

The Materials following August 11 and 12, 2017, and the "Unite the Right" Rally subseries contains materials created in response to the events of August 11 and 12, 2017. Most of the correspondence materials consist of letters, postcards, cards, and handmade cards from around the world expressing support and solidarity for the leaders and people of Charlottesville. These correspondence were sent from public officials, public offices, businesses, organizations, institutions, individuals, and communities. A smaller section of correspondence, titled ‘other correspondence’, express either support not related to August 11 and 12, severe criticism of members of Charlottesville City Council and the Charlottesville Police Department, hateful and derogatory messages towards the Mayor and Vice Mayor of Charlottesville, a particular narrative of southern history, or extreme racism towards black people and people of color, in general.

In this subseries there are printed materials that include announcements, pamphlets, flyers and programs for church services and counseling sessions, informational zines, and fascist and anti-fascist paraphernalia. There are responses from the University of Virginia, legal documents, and official reports, as well, about the events of August 11 and 12, 2017. Additionally, printed publications, like newspapers are included, as well as a double-cassette album of music dedicated to the events, the digital files of which are included in the second series, "Born-Digital materials".

The condolence artifacts in this subseries include handmade banners, tablecloths and painted canvases, some of which are signed by communities showing support. There are also other trinkets like wrists bands and bottons sent as forms of support.