Commentary: Philly artists at ground level of activism and change

By Sheena C. Howard

During the Democratic convention, Philadelphia cleaned up nice. I cannot remember the last time I saw the subway scrubbed of graffiti, the walls painted, or the sidewalks of South Philadelphia cleansed of garbage.

I understand the general sentiment. When people come to visit, you clean up your home. Yet, on the streets, residents scoffed at the makeover, wondering why the city seems to put little effort in cleaning up year-round, particularly in neighborhoods that have yet to be touched by gentrification. The convention put a spotlight on such economic disparities.

Many of the issues city residents care about are tied to economics. In 2015, the Urban Institute published a report showing that Philadelphia was distinguished as one of the most unequal areas in the United States, measuring for household income, education, and homeownership. Of course, economics is linked to race as well.

There is a lot of work to be done in the City of Brotherly Love. And the convention was an opportunity to highlight the contributions being made by the active and talented local artists who are fighting for social justice in the city. They are continuing Philadelphia's history as it relates to art and activism. For example, in 2010 the city enlisted the help of spoken word artists to run a large-scale anti-litter campaign. Philly's artists have always spoken truth to power, addressing issues on the ground and using art to give voice to action.

In the 1940s and '50s, we saw the historical activism of people like Orrin Cromwell Evans, who founded the Philadelphia publishing company, All Negro Comics Inc. In 1947, the company published America's first black comic book, which sought to speak back to the offensive, savage, and stereotypical representations of blacks in comics during this time. In more recent decades, famed musician and Philadelphia native Kenny Gamble has dedicated his life to public service. His Universal Cos., one of the largest African American- led businesses in the city, has improved the quality of life for thousands of children and families residing in historically disenfranchised communities. You cannot walk through the streets of my South Philadelphia neighborhood without being witness to Gamble's impact on this city.

Philadelphia artists have persistently created socially conscious and powerful work that speaks to the issues residents of the city care about, yet they seldom receive the notoriety or recognition they deserve. However, Truth to Power, a large-scale pop-up art and cultural exhibition displayed during the convention, was designed to change that dynamic.

Reporter Trymaine Lee of MSNBC featured the visual art of Philadelphia native American Queen TJD on Twitter after attending Truth to Power. Even though the name of the artist was not mentioned in his tweet, I immediately recognized the work when it scrolled through my timeline, as the aesthetic is very unique and political - very Philly. The canvases prominently displayed the words "race matters" and "no justice, no peace" - phrases that have regularly been heard in the streets over the last few years during protests of police brutality and violence. Her paintings address everything from racial justice to freedom of gender expression and body shaming.

The art displayed at Truth to Power was "high-stakes, life-changing kind of art, the kind of art that demands to be noticed and heard," said L.Y.R.I.S.P.E.C.T., a Philadelphia-based poet and performance artist who participated in the exhibit. "Though the subject matter was raw and in your face, it was executed with style, intention, and skill."

The poetry scene in Philadelphia is rich in protest art as well. In 2012, the fifth installment of CNN's documentary series "Black in America" focused on young Philadelphia-based poets and the issues of racial identity and colorism.

Poetry meets economic and social consciousness through the work of Ethepoetemcee Muhammad, who is also a community organizer and activist. E, as he is known on the streets, runs the Hustler Of Culture Convention in Philadelphia, which is a Black Arts Expo initiative of GriotWorks/Soul School. Like Gamble, E uses his arts-based nonprofit as a platform for community building, including providing network opportunities and personal/business development workshops for black artists.

True to the sentiment of thousands of artists who may go nameless in their fight for social justice, E said, "I recommend, in addition to doing socially conscious artwork, that artists get involved with the social issue their art is about. For instance, if you have poems about domestic abuse, maybe you could work with a women's shelter and bring your art to them. Use your art to promote their services for the women you describe in your poem."

You may only get a glimpse of the movers and shakers in the art and advocacy scene of Philadelphia when a national event comes to the city or when a news reporter tweets the work of a nameless artist. Yet these artists, and many others like them, have been the voices and actors behind much progress in this city. From cleaning up the streets to building better educational opportunities and cultivating the pride that Philadelphians deserve during times of triumph and pain, our artists are there, being the change agents they have always been.

The city needs these remarkable people. They still have much work to do. As E says, "There's a lot of pain and triumph here, and I am inspired to offer inspiration as well as information."

Sheena C. Howard is a Philadelphia-based author, producer, and director. @DrSheenaHoward