No es fácil/It ain’t easy was a bilingual series of nine billboards installed in Boston neighborhoods most affected by Covid-19 pandemic, including East Boston, Dorchester, Roxbury, Roslindale, and Mattapan. They featured ambiguous messages of hope and solidarity, intended to offer comfort to the surrounding community but also play with questions of commodity and sloganeering. The project took root in its titular phrase, which Sosa often heard growing up in Miami. Phrases featured on the billboards included “No es fácil, pero no te desesperes” (It ain’t easy, but don’t despair), “It ain’t easy, but keep going” and “Tremendo lío, pero tú sigue” (It’s such a mess, but stay the course). The billboards remained on display from 2020 into 2021, and were accompanied by a series of postcard-writing workshops co-led by Sosa and writer Sara Rivera that empowered people to develop their own phrases and designs.

LOCATIONS

Chelsea/East Boston Bridge

Central Square, East Boston

Roslindale Square

Washington Street, Roslindale

Blue Hill Avenue and Warren Street, Dorchester

Blue Hill Avenue and Julian Street, Dorchester

Nubian Square, Roxbury

Mattapan Square

Egleston Square, Roxbury/JP