dream hampton’s new video short “Freshwater” explores her Detroit childhood, climate change

Detroiters experienced an enhanced form of water destruction from massive flooding that destroyed homes and belongings and lives last summer. The water rose in streets and alleys and yards and, most important, in people’s homes, where it submerged possessions and memories, and surfaced emotions that many were not prepared to confront.

Freshwater is the name of a new short video by dream hampton, which explores themes of childhood, a warming climate and the life of Detroiters. The video will be screening today at the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit through Aug. 14.

“When I think about foundations, I think about, you know, Black people being the foundation of Detroit since at least midcentury, and I started thinking about my own family’s migration here from Alabama. I started thinking about the things that are changing and water’s constant movement.” — dream hampton

Listen: How much of dream hampton’s childhood is reflected in her new short film Freshwater.

Guest

dream hampton is a filmmaker, activist and writer. She says she reflected a lot on her own childhood to produce this exhibit, including the significance of Detroit being led and politically controlled by Black folks.

“When I think about foundations, I think about, you know, Black people being the foundation of Detroit since at least midcentury, and I started thinking about my own family’s migration here from Alabama,” says hampton. “I started thinking about the things that are changing and water’s constant movement.”