This past Friday marked the fourth #BmoreOnFire showcase hosted by Baltimore rapper Son of Nun at the Windup Space. The series functions to unite radical, revolutionary and socially engaged artists of various media, including writers, musicians and speakers. Friday’s installation featured Eddie Conway, a former Black Panther and previously imprisoned political organizer still active in Baltimore, along with poet, artist and educator Olu Butterfly. Poets, activists, Lady Brion from Leaders of a Beautiful Struggle, and socially engaged musician Bell’s Roar were also present.
The event began at 8 p.m., but when I walked into the Windup Space a little before 10 p.m., there was still much to be seen, heard and reflected upon.
Bell’s Roar’s set-closing track “Black Lives” greeted me as I entered the venue and took a seat at the bar. The musician’s voice set against minimal electronically produced beats projected formidable statements such as “The new Jim Crow is all around us” with an approachable air.
After a brief transition period, Son of Nun resumed his place at the mic to introduce Eddie Conway, who joined us via FaceTime. Conway spoke at length about the intersection of art and activism, highlighting his experience in the Black Panther Party (BPP). He expressed the importance of art in revolutions around the world throughout time, making the point that art is inseparable from struggle. Conway also stressed the importance of art as an educational tool: “We could tell stories, we could present ideological perspectives, but the art itself was a simplistic way of making a point that people could see and identify with. They could recognize themselves in that art, and they could recognize the struggle.”
He then went on to discuss the art and issues that have inspired him and others, the importance of both theory and practice in order to be a revolutionary and the victory that is the recent release of Albert Woodfox of the Angola Three.
When the conversation with Conway wrapped up, Olu Butterfly took the stage to deliver her words. The poetry she shared centered around themes such as ancestral history, divides within Baltimore and the importance of uniting. Olu Butterfly’s performance was infectious; Her words were set to music and she spoke with both feeling and impeccable rhythm. She closed the night with a confident piece about the uprising followed by a complex love poem.
After Olu Butterfly’s performance, Erykah Badu tracks played over the speakers as attendees trickled out. I headed to the Crown on the same corner to meet up with a few friends, feeling disappointed that they had missed out on an illuminating evening. I hope that I will see a few familiar faces at the next #BmoreOnFire showcase! My experience proved to be one that only Baltimore can offer, and each Hopkins student would be remiss to not make an effort to attend at least one.
Keep your eyes peeled for its announcement! I will be sure to highlight the next showcase in the “Events in Baltimore this Weekend” portion of the section.
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