“We wear the mask”
We wear the mask that grins and lies,
It hides our cheeks and shades our eyes,
This debt we pay to human guile;
With torn and bleeding hearts we smile…
- Paul Laurence Dunbar
What does it mean to
“wear the mask”?
Even though Paul Laurence Dunbar’s “We Wear the Mask” was written in 1895 (and later performed by Maya Angelou in the 1980s), the poem is timeless in its depiction of what it means to “wear the mask.”
This relatable art not only makes us reflect upon our experiences with the physical masks worn during the COVID pandemic, but also the figurative masks worn by people of color (or other marginalized communities) to protect themselves from the emotional, spiritual, and even physical violence they may experience when showing up in the world as their authentic selves.
Looking for inspiration?
Watch this video of Cleveland’s very own Honey Bell-Bey, as she recites Paul Laurence Dunbar’s “We Wear the Mask.” Honey Bell-Bey, Cuyahoga County’s poet laureate, is a motivational poet, writer, educator, and community advocate. As seen here, her performance of “We Wear the Mask” shines a light on art’s role in addressing issues around racism and equity.
Join the “We Wear the Mask” Campaign
The “We Wear the Mask” Campaign is a work of community art and artistic expression. Its intention is to bring to light issues related to racism and inequity. And it seeks to answer the question, “What does it mean to wear the mask today?” Leave your mark by submitting a testimony or original artwork on this site. There are several ways to engage below…
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"Call for Artists" - Winners Announced!
We thank all submitting artists, from the bottom of our hearts, for contributing your visual, written, or spoken works of art.
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View the "We Wear the Mask" Mural
A special work of art has come to life on the RTA wall at the intersection of Woodhill and Mt. Carmel (Cleveland, OH). An artistic expression of what it means to wear the mask today, the mural sheds light on the suppressed trauma of people of color as they wear the mask of conformity.
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Tune in to our "Masks Off" video series.
Our “Masks Off” video series is now live! The 2-part series, featuring one moderated conversation amongst Black folks and one amongst white folks, explores what it means to “wear the mask” in the United States. It also explores what people can do to advance racial equity.
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Share your story in our "We Wear the Mask" Reflections Series
What does “wearing the mask” mean to you? Give an example from your life illustrating what it feels like to have to conform to societal norms to survive and thrive. If you’ve removed the mask, talk about the process. Become part of our community-driven series by submitting a video or written reflection to info@cle4equity.org.
The “We Wear the Mask Campaign” is brought to you by:
The Healthy Neighborhoods Committee
Healthy Neighborhoods is a committee consisting of community members representing an array of organizations throughout Northeast Ohio. Healthy Neighborhood’s goal is to develop messaging that illuminates social determinants and their impact on place and health, while providing opportunities for community members to engage in issues around health and equity.
For the past 5 years, Healthy Neighborhoods has created content intersecting the topics of race, place, and health in ways that allow the broader community to have transcending and enlightening conversations. Our past two projects include a short animation, Do You SEE What I SEE (which highlights social determinants of health) and TOXIC – A Black Woman’s Story (which dispells myths around the infant mortality crisis in Northeast Ohio).
