The Second Annual National Day of Panhandling for Reparations is October 10, 2008
Tuesday 9th September 2008 | 11:32 am
Where: Nationwide
Feeling: 
excited
Hello Everyone!!!
It’s that time of the year again....yes indeed. The leaves are getting ready to turn, the Summer harvest is in, Columbus is just about to “discover” “America” and we are taking to the streets to panhandle for reparations!
Last year over 70 people in 20 states sat out on street corners with homemade signs, cups, and banners and collected and distributed hundreds of dollars in reparations.
“It was panhandling, it was performance art - and it was a political statement about the legacy of slavery and reparations for black people.”
- The Associated Press on the 2007 event
This year we are doing it again.
OCTOBER 10, 2008
Any corner you pick.
Any time you pick.
Take Pictures and send them to reparations@damaliayo.com
Sign up now, get your Panhandling for Reparations Kit, t-shirts and much more at http://reparationsday.com
Tell your friends!!
It’s that time of the year again....yes indeed. The leaves are getting ready to turn, the Summer harvest is in, Columbus is just about to “discover” “America” and we are taking to the streets to panhandle for reparations!
Last year over 70 people in 20 states sat out on street corners with homemade signs, cups, and banners and collected and distributed hundreds of dollars in reparations.
“It was panhandling, it was performance art - and it was a political statement about the legacy of slavery and reparations for black people.”
- The Associated Press on the 2007 event
This year we are doing it again.
OCTOBER 10, 2008
Any corner you pick.
Any time you pick.
Take Pictures and send them to reparations@damaliayo.com
Sign up now, get your Panhandling for Reparations Kit, t-shirts and much more at http://reparationsday.com
Tell your friends!!
Link | Respond 2 Responses | Add to Memories | Tell a Friend
Catch Me If You Can!
Monday 25th August 2008 | 06:16 pm
Feeling: hopeful
Catch Me If You Can!
damali’s Upcoming Speaking Engagements
Autumn has arrived full throttle in Portland and has me excited for a new year of talks, presentations and workshops. I can’t wait to get on the road and see all of you from the stages and classrooms of your communities.
A few highlights:
September 6th I will be speaking at the Portland Creative Conference, on the genius of fashion and my personal creative process as a designer, artist and creative thinker. You can attend the conference at a discounted rate because you know me. Just enter the code SPEAKER for your registration and you’ll get $30 off your fee. ($69 for the day). The day proves to be worth it with a host of amazing speakers inspiring you about the creative design process.
Bitch Magazine has asked me to kick of their inaugural season of the “B-word” speaker series. That talk will be at PSU on September 30th. Should be damali at her most open. Definitely worth catching.
I’m also excited to speak at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Februrary. More details on that as the date approaches.
But mostly, I’m excited to find out where else I can go this year, meaning to you! I would really love to re-visit some of the campuses I’ve met over the last few years and bring new talks and energy to your communities. I’d also love to visit some of the places and people on this list that I haven’t met yet. This year starts a new relationship between me and SpeakOut.org as well as a return to self-representation which means I have a lot more flexibility with my schedule. Please drop me a note if you are interested in having me come for a visit.
Below are some topics that I’d love to bring to your community.
PRESENTATIONS
The Good Fight:
My life as a Social Change Artist
damali shares her inspirational journey through her many creative solutions to societal problems. This talk gives you living flaga sense of how all issues are connected, from the US revolution, to racial issues and reparations, to fashion and eco living. This talk shows each member of the audience that there are many ways to make a difference in their world. It is truly an entertaining and inspiring evening.
Change You Can Wear:
The Economy’s First Sliding Scale Clothing Company
Why create an eco-friendly clothing company that sells clothes on a sliding scale? What kinds of challenges do you face in this process? Is it possible to create social change through the capitalist economy? Is fashion radical or is it oppressive? Is community real? damali examines all these questions as she shares her path to creation of CROW Clothing, a truly 21st century business that challenges all the rules.
Living the Green Life
damali shares her user-friendly strategies for living a life that is gentle on the earth, easy on the budget, and rewarding to the spirit. Not your typical take on “green talk” damali shows, from racism to recycling, why “living right is living well” in all aspects of your life.
TRAININGS
I Can Fix It! Speaker Corps
damali passes the race-relations torch by training new speakers to give her talk on 10 practical solutions for how to create healthier, more productive racial interactions. Trainings will include a kit with all needed powerpoint slides and audio. First training is October in Portland, OR. Apply Now You can also arrange for a Speaker Corps Training in your community.
How to Make Conceptual Art
Participants design their own conceptual art projects through this interactive team-oriented workshop.
Yoga
In addition to giving a talk to your community, damali shares her love and ten-year practice of yoga in an hour long class. damali welcomes all interested parties as she leads you through a basic yoga practice that will leave you feeling more energetic, stretched, refreshed, and centered.
More info on all of these presentations and more at damaliayo.com
I’d love to see you.
To bring damali ayo for a presentation or training please contact:
damali@damaliayo.com
OR
programs@speakoutnow.org
Speaking Engagements
September
6- Portland Creative Conference: Fashion Keynote, Portland OR
30- Bitch Magazine Feminism and Pop Culture Series, Portland State University, Portland OR
October
(tba)- I Can Fix It Training Corps, Portland, OR apply now
21- Rockford College, Illinois
February
9- National Underground Railroad Museum, Cincinnati, OH
Next up...Your School or Center. Let’s work together to bring me to you!
damali’s Upcoming Speaking Engagements
Autumn has arrived full throttle in Portland and has me excited for a new year of talks, presentations and workshops. I can’t wait to get on the road and see all of you from the stages and classrooms of your communities.
A few highlights:
September 6th I will be speaking at the Portland Creative Conference, on the genius of fashion and my personal creative process as a designer, artist and creative thinker. You can attend the conference at a discounted rate because you know me. Just enter the code SPEAKER for your registration and you’ll get $30 off your fee. ($69 for the day). The day proves to be worth it with a host of amazing speakers inspiring you about the creative design process.
Bitch Magazine has asked me to kick of their inaugural season of the “B-word” speaker series. That talk will be at PSU on September 30th. Should be damali at her most open. Definitely worth catching.
I’m also excited to speak at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Februrary. More details on that as the date approaches.
But mostly, I’m excited to find out where else I can go this year, meaning to you! I would really love to re-visit some of the campuses I’ve met over the last few years and bring new talks and energy to your communities. I’d also love to visit some of the places and people on this list that I haven’t met yet. This year starts a new relationship between me and SpeakOut.org as well as a return to self-representation which means I have a lot more flexibility with my schedule. Please drop me a note if you are interested in having me come for a visit.
Below are some topics that I’d love to bring to your community.
PRESENTATIONS
The Good Fight:
My life as a Social Change Artist
damali shares her inspirational journey through her many creative solutions to societal problems. This talk gives you living flaga sense of how all issues are connected, from the US revolution, to racial issues and reparations, to fashion and eco living. This talk shows each member of the audience that there are many ways to make a difference in their world. It is truly an entertaining and inspiring evening.
Change You Can Wear:
The Economy’s First Sliding Scale Clothing Company
Why create an eco-friendly clothing company that sells clothes on a sliding scale? What kinds of challenges do you face in this process? Is it possible to create social change through the capitalist economy? Is fashion radical or is it oppressive? Is community real? damali examines all these questions as she shares her path to creation of CROW Clothing, a truly 21st century business that challenges all the rules.
Living the Green Life
damali shares her user-friendly strategies for living a life that is gentle on the earth, easy on the budget, and rewarding to the spirit. Not your typical take on “green talk” damali shows, from racism to recycling, why “living right is living well” in all aspects of your life.
TRAININGS
I Can Fix It! Speaker Corps
damali passes the race-relations torch by training new speakers to give her talk on 10 practical solutions for how to create healthier, more productive racial interactions. Trainings will include a kit with all needed powerpoint slides and audio. First training is October in Portland, OR. Apply Now You can also arrange for a Speaker Corps Training in your community.
How to Make Conceptual Art
Participants design their own conceptual art projects through this interactive team-oriented workshop.
Yoga
In addition to giving a talk to your community, damali shares her love and ten-year practice of yoga in an hour long class. damali welcomes all interested parties as she leads you through a basic yoga practice that will leave you feeling more energetic, stretched, refreshed, and centered.
More info on all of these presentations and more at damaliayo.com
I’d love to see you.
To bring damali ayo for a presentation or training please contact:
damali@damaliayo.com
OR
programs@speakoutnow.org
Speaking Engagements
September
6- Portland Creative Conference: Fashion Keynote, Portland OR
30- Bitch Magazine Feminism and Pop Culture Series, Portland State University, Portland OR
October
(tba)- I Can Fix It Training Corps, Portland, OR apply now
21- Rockford College, Illinois
February
9- National Underground Railroad Museum, Cincinnati, OH
Next up...Your School or Center. Let’s work together to bring me to you!
Link | Respond 1 Responses | Add to Memories | Tell a Friend
Backing up Barack: On Racism
Tuesday 11th March 2008 | 01:38 pm
Feeling: indescribable
Listening to: Bruce Springsteen•Factory
We’ve seen in the last primary cycle some ugly tactics used to created doubt in the mind of the American public. I actually saw an interview on 60 minutes where one man said “i heard that Obama doesn’t know the National Anthem, won’t put his hand on a bible and is a Musilm.”
The tactics and rumors are absolutely absurd and patently racist. The saddest part is that Americans are particularly prone to falling for that kind of deception.
The interviewer just looked at the man and said “You know that none of that is correct, right?” When asked about it, Obama had the same response....”Did you correct him?” His approach, though it may fail ultimately, is to opt for the honest truth and the real story. He refuses to play these spin-games and his supporters admire him deeply for it. The thing that scares me the most is that these are the leaders we have systematically destroyed over the course of our history. (I just watched an amazing documentary of Bobby Kennedy in action during the Universty of Alabama desegregation).
One of the things i found really interesting in the last week was an interview i saw on Charlie Rose with three British journalists. their comment on the “Obama in Muslim dress” picture was “We wished there were pictures of more American presidents like this.” They really saw it as a wonderful and diplomatic gesture worthy of a world leader.
They also said that Europe has “Obama Fever!” that he represents everything they love about america.
If only our own citizens were as smart......
Here are two new essays on the election by my favorite white anti-racist, Tim Wise:
Tim writes:
They are my two latest essays: the first addresses white support for Barack Obama and what it does (and, importantly, doesn’t) mean about race in the U.S. The second looks at, and responds to, the increasingly common refrain I’m hearing from many whites, to the effect that black support for Obama is reverse racism (I know, I know, sigh...). It also addresses more generally the difference between black and brown solidarity and white racial solidarity, for example, which is actually an important issue above and beyond this election, and which lots of white folks seem to have trouble with.
Anyway, thanks and pass ‘em around!
Uh-Obama: Racism, White Voters and the Myth of Color-Blindness
http://www.lipmagazine.org/~timwise/Obam
Another Batch of White Whine: Obama, Black Voters and the Myth of Reverse Racism
http://www.lipmagazine.org/~timwise/Obam
Thanks Tim.
Your work makes my work so much easier some days.
and thank you to the white people who have stepped up to their responsibilities and risen to fight racism. I look forward to wholly passing this particular torch to you one day.
best,
damali
The tactics and rumors are absolutely absurd and patently racist. The saddest part is that Americans are particularly prone to falling for that kind of deception.
The interviewer just looked at the man and said “You know that none of that is correct, right?” When asked about it, Obama had the same response....”Did you correct him?” His approach, though it may fail ultimately, is to opt for the honest truth and the real story. He refuses to play these spin-games and his supporters admire him deeply for it. The thing that scares me the most is that these are the leaders we have systematically destroyed over the course of our history. (I just watched an amazing documentary of Bobby Kennedy in action during the Universty of Alabama desegregation).
One of the things i found really interesting in the last week was an interview i saw on Charlie Rose with three British journalists. their comment on the “Obama in Muslim dress” picture was “We wished there were pictures of more American presidents like this.” They really saw it as a wonderful and diplomatic gesture worthy of a world leader.
They also said that Europe has “Obama Fever!” that he represents everything they love about america.
If only our own citizens were as smart......
Here are two new essays on the election by my favorite white anti-racist, Tim Wise:
Tim writes:
They are my two latest essays: the first addresses white support for Barack Obama and what it does (and, importantly, doesn’t) mean about race in the U.S. The second looks at, and responds to, the increasingly common refrain I’m hearing from many whites, to the effect that black support for Obama is reverse racism (I know, I know, sigh...). It also addresses more generally the difference between black and brown solidarity and white racial solidarity, for example, which is actually an important issue above and beyond this election, and which lots of white folks seem to have trouble with.
Anyway, thanks and pass ‘em around!
Uh-Obama: Racism, White Voters and the Myth of Color-Blindness
http://www.lipmagazine.org/~timwise/Obam
Another Batch of White Whine: Obama, Black Voters and the Myth of Reverse Racism
http://www.lipmagazine.org/~timwise/Obam
Thanks Tim.
Your work makes my work so much easier some days.
and thank you to the white people who have stepped up to their responsibilities and risen to fight racism. I look forward to wholly passing this particular torch to you one day.
best,
damali
Link | Respond 4 Responses | Add to Memories | Tell a Friend
Belated Birthday Post
Thursday 6th March 2008 | 08:57 pm
Feeling: indescribable
Listening to: Sheryl Crow•Peace Be Upon Us
Hello all!
i was on the road last week for my birthday and sent this to my email list. now that i am back, i’m able to post it on my blog.....
the one birthday present i ask from you is that if i’ve made a difference in your life, let me know. Sometimes the good news doesn’t get through as much as the challenges and criticisms.
cheers!
damali
--------
February 26, 2008
Today is my birthday and as you know, I like to send you an offering of one kind or another on this day. Today’s offering is pretty simple as I’m sick in bed (although not my own bed, I’m giving two talks this week) and finding ways to keep change going even through the muscle aches.
I gave Rent-a-Negro.com a bit of a facelift. It needed it! So with some nips and tucks, I’ve brought it current. I added some pictures from the book and fixed the broken rental form link. It’s up and running again with a fresh new attitude. Check it out at http://rent-a-negro.com. Remember to refresh your browser or clear your cookies so you see the new version.
Also, I asked my genius assistants, Heather and Grant to assemble some cross-issue links that I could send out to the list. Though I’ve been fighting racism since I was 4, my true passion is connecting races across groups and social change across issues. We have to work together and work for each other if we are going to make any real progress in this world. So here is a *start* on getting our knowledge and support cross-polinated:
They aren’t in any specific order- since our issues are all connected and overlapping, so are these links.
If any of the links fail to work when you click them- google the title and you’ll find them! Thanks!!
NewsMap : A visual Look at the news http://www.marumushi.com/apps/newsmap/ne
Blackademics http://blackademics.org/
Reappropriate - political and pop culture criticism blog focusing on race and especially Asian and Pacific Islander issues http://www.reappropriate.com/index.php
Expanding the news lens through ethnic media http://news.ncmonline.com/news/
Every year, with the publication of its “Top Ten” Most Underreported Humanitarian Stories, Doctors Without Borders spotlights 10 humanitarian crisis that have received little or no attention from the media. http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/new
Latino Pundit http://www.latinopundit.com/
Human Rights Campaign: http://www.hrc.org/ Essential LGBT resource
Rant Collective: anti-oppression principles and practices. http://www.rantcollective.net/article.p
So you think you’re an anti-racist? 6 critical paradigm shifts for well-intentioned white folks. http://www.edchange.org/multicultural/r
10 codes of ethnics for white people in hip-hop. http://www.daveyd.com/commentarywhitelik
Going Green:A Guide to Eco-living and Activism from an African American Perspective http://blackandn2green.blogspot.com/2008/0
Hip Hop Caucus: http://www.hiphopcaucus.org/ Good resource that has information about all of our causes
Southern Poverty Law Center: http://www.splcenter.org/ Great resource on racism and immigration injustice, including info on current civil rights litigation and news stories about racial injustice
Sustainable South Bronx: http://www.ssbx.org/ Kick ass project in the south bronx that combines environmental justice and anti-racism
Ella Baker Center for Human Rights: http://ellabakercenter.org/ Combines racial justice with environmentalism.
1 Sky: http://www.1sky.org/ Provides info on environmental issues but also gives people ways to mobilize and participate
Of course, there are tons of more issues to include, so please don’t consider this a comprehensive list. Heather, Grant and I expand it daily. This i’s just a beginning of expanding the tree that we are all growing together. Consider it....inspiration! I’m sure you have plenty of links to add, so send them our way and we’ll keep a good list compiled. I”ll add them to my web site in a few weeks.
I hope you have a wonderful day and find a special way to pamper yourself today- give yourself a gift on my birthday!
warmly,
damali
i was on the road last week for my birthday and sent this to my email list. now that i am back, i’m able to post it on my blog.....
the one birthday present i ask from you is that if i’ve made a difference in your life, let me know. Sometimes the good news doesn’t get through as much as the challenges and criticisms.
cheers!
damali
--------
February 26, 2008
Today is my birthday and as you know, I like to send you an offering of one kind or another on this day. Today’s offering is pretty simple as I’m sick in bed (although not my own bed, I’m giving two talks this week) and finding ways to keep change going even through the muscle aches.
I gave Rent-a-Negro.com a bit of a facelift. It needed it! So with some nips and tucks, I’ve brought it current. I added some pictures from the book and fixed the broken rental form link. It’s up and running again with a fresh new attitude. Check it out at http://rent-a-negro.com. Remember to refresh your browser or clear your cookies so you see the new version.
Also, I asked my genius assistants, Heather and Grant to assemble some cross-issue links that I could send out to the list. Though I’ve been fighting racism since I was 4, my true passion is connecting races across groups and social change across issues. We have to work together and work for each other if we are going to make any real progress in this world. So here is a *start* on getting our knowledge and support cross-polinated:
They aren’t in any specific order- since our issues are all connected and overlapping, so are these links.
If any of the links fail to work when you click them- google the title and you’ll find them! Thanks!!
NewsMap : A visual Look at the news http://www.marumushi.com/apps/newsmap/ne
Blackademics http://blackademics.org/
Reappropriate - political and pop culture criticism blog focusing on race and especially Asian and Pacific Islander issues http://www.reappropriate.com/index.php
Expanding the news lens through ethnic media http://news.ncmonline.com/news/
Every year, with the publication of its “Top Ten” Most Underreported Humanitarian Stories, Doctors Without Borders spotlights 10 humanitarian crisis that have received little or no attention from the media. http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/new
Latino Pundit http://www.latinopundit.com/
Human Rights Campaign: http://www.hrc.org/ Essential LGBT resource
Rant Collective: anti-oppression principles and practices. http://www.rantcollective.net/article.p
So you think you’re an anti-racist? 6 critical paradigm shifts for well-intentioned white folks. http://www.edchange.org/multicultural/r
10 codes of ethnics for white people in hip-hop. http://www.daveyd.com/commentarywhitelik
Going Green:A Guide to Eco-living and Activism from an African American Perspective http://blackandn2green.blogspot.com/2008/0
Hip Hop Caucus: http://www.hiphopcaucus.org/ Good resource that has information about all of our causes
Southern Poverty Law Center: http://www.splcenter.org/ Great resource on racism and immigration injustice, including info on current civil rights litigation and news stories about racial injustice
Sustainable South Bronx: http://www.ssbx.org/ Kick ass project in the south bronx that combines environmental justice and anti-racism
Ella Baker Center for Human Rights: http://ellabakercenter.org/ Combines racial justice with environmentalism.
1 Sky: http://www.1sky.org/ Provides info on environmental issues but also gives people ways to mobilize and participate
Of course, there are tons of more issues to include, so please don’t consider this a comprehensive list. Heather, Grant and I expand it daily. This i’s just a beginning of expanding the tree that we are all growing together. Consider it....inspiration! I’m sure you have plenty of links to add, so send them our way and we’ll keep a good list compiled. I”ll add them to my web site in a few weeks.
I hope you have a wonderful day and find a special way to pamper yourself today- give yourself a gift on my birthday!
warmly,
damali
Link | Respond 2 Responses | Add to Memories | Tell a Friend
1000 words, and then some!
Thursday 11th October 2007 | 11:00 am
Where: 21 States and 3 Countries!
Feeling: accomplished
“It was panhandling, it was performance art - and it was a political statement about the legacy of slavery and reparations for black people.” - The Associated Press

Send your pictures! pics@reparationsday.com
A warm THANK YOU to all of you who participated. You are this event. Thank you for your courage and charisma, your signs and savvy. You should be very proud. The feedback has been amazing. We got lots of press and the experience of both panhandlers and passers-by have been reported as positive learning experiences. It has been a true honor to share this performance with you. I am deeply moved that you each trusted me enough to take to the streets and take my performance into your own hands. You are Now Art.
damali
View these pictures and many more here http://www.flickr.com/photos/damali
Press Coverage for National Day of Panhandling for Reparations:
The Oregonian
Panhandling for reparations
An artist’s campaign draws ire but also discussion about slavery
Thursday, October 11, 2007
by ERIN HOOVER BARNETT
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonia
Great story on Frances M with a great quote from Annin B.
This story was picked up by the Associated Press (AP) http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jx4b
and reprinted in over 40 papers/outlets, including:
Vail Daily News, CO
San Jose Mercury News, USA - 1 hour ago
Portlanders panhandle for slavery reparations
Statesman Journal, OR
6abc.com, PA
Hays Daily News, KS
WAVE, KY
Philadelphia Inquirer, PA
Mid Columbia Tri City Herald, WA
Worcester Telegram, MA
Myrtle Beach Sun News, SC
Centre Daily Times, PA
WTOP, DC
News & Observer, NC
Bradenton Herald, United States
Charlotte Observer, NC
Fort Worth Star Telegram, TX
Pioneer Press, MN
Columbus Ledger-Enquirer, GA
ABC7Chicago.com, USA
The State, SC
Kansas City Star, MO
MiamiHerald.com, FL
Kansas.com, KS
Contra Costa Times, CA
Kentucky.com, KY
Tuscaloosa News, AL
Times Daily, AL
Belleville News Democrat, USA
Forbes, NY
Oregon Public Broadcasting Radio
Performance Artist Panhandles For Slavery Reparations
By Colin Fogarty
Portland, OR October 10, 2007 4:08 p.m.
http://news.opb.org/article/perform
KOIN 6 TV News
link pending. visit http://koin.com later this week and search for “reparations”
The story features Jagjit N.
The Nation Online
Panhandling for Reparations
This article was originally published by Wiretap, a national magazine for a new generation of progressive ideas and action.
by Kameelah Rasheed
October 3, 2007
http://www.thenation.com/doc/20071022/p
It really was a NATIONAL performance!
damali

Send your pictures! pics@reparationsday.com
A warm THANK YOU to all of you who participated. You are this event. Thank you for your courage and charisma, your signs and savvy. You should be very proud. The feedback has been amazing. We got lots of press and the experience of both panhandlers and passers-by have been reported as positive learning experiences. It has been a true honor to share this performance with you. I am deeply moved that you each trusted me enough to take to the streets and take my performance into your own hands. You are Now Art.
damali
View these pictures and many more here http://www.flickr.com/photos/damali
Press Coverage for National Day of Panhandling for Reparations:
The Oregonian
Panhandling for reparations
An artist’s campaign draws ire but also discussion about slavery
Thursday, October 11, 2007
by ERIN HOOVER BARNETT
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonia
Great story on Frances M with a great quote from Annin B.
This story was picked up by the Associated Press (AP) http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jx4b
and reprinted in over 40 papers/outlets, including:
Vail Daily News, CO
San Jose Mercury News, USA - 1 hour ago
Portlanders panhandle for slavery reparations
Statesman Journal, OR
6abc.com, PA
Hays Daily News, KS
WAVE, KY
Philadelphia Inquirer, PA
Mid Columbia Tri City Herald, WA
Worcester Telegram, MA
Myrtle Beach Sun News, SC
Centre Daily Times, PA
WTOP, DC
News & Observer, NC
Bradenton Herald, United States
Charlotte Observer, NC
Fort Worth Star Telegram, TX
Pioneer Press, MN
Columbus Ledger-Enquirer, GA
ABC7Chicago.com, USA
The State, SC
Kansas City Star, MO
MiamiHerald.com, FL
Kansas.com, KS
Contra Costa Times, CA
Kentucky.com, KY
Tuscaloosa News, AL
Times Daily, AL
Belleville News Democrat, USA
Forbes, NY
Oregon Public Broadcasting Radio
Performance Artist Panhandles For Slavery Reparations
By Colin Fogarty
Portland, OR October 10, 2007 4:08 p.m.
http://news.opb.org/article/perform
KOIN 6 TV News
link pending. visit http://koin.com later this week and search for “reparations”
The story features Jagjit N.
The Nation Online
Panhandling for Reparations
This article was originally published by Wiretap, a national magazine for a new generation of progressive ideas and action.
by Kameelah Rasheed
October 3, 2007
http://www.thenation.com/doc/20071022/p
It really was a NATIONAL performance!
damali
Link | Respond | Add to Memories | Tell a Friend
Virtual Panhandling for Reparations
Sunday 7th October 2007 | 09:53 pm
Where: The Blogosphere!
Feeling: excited
I Am Virtually Panhandling for Reparations!
(Please REPOST)
National Day of Panhandling for Reparations is a national street performance on October 10, 2007, led by conceptual artist damali ayo.
I am participating in this performance because I believe that a conversation about reparations has been pushed aside for way too long. This country has paid reparations for some of its past injustices, but not for slavery. Why not? I am sitting with this sign to show that I want reparations for American Slavery to move forward.
You can participate too. Bloggers- spread this post to any and all blogs that you belong to. This performance is a great way to generate dialogue and re-energize the stalled conversation about reparations, and a great way to show the power of blogs for connecting people, art, social issues and dialogue!
Here is How to Panhandle Online:
note: If you want to physically participate by panhandling on a street corner in your community, sign up here.
1-REPOST this post to your blog under the title “Virtual Panhandling for Reparations” Remember to include this entire post, including these instructions and the “about” section below.
2-TAKE A PHOTO of yourself with a handmade sign that reads “Reparations accepted here” or “I support Reparations.” Post this to your blog with the reason you find this performance worth your participation. Try to inspire others to participate.
3-EMAIL YOUR PHOTO with your name, city and state to pictures@reparationsday.com. A collection of all the photos will be posted here (include the link) on October 11th.
4- COLLECT ACTUAL REPARATIONS! Click here to make a reparations payment. The money will be collected and redistributed to individual African Americans. Those who make and receive payments will receive a receipt (via paypal).
5- CALL IN YOUR STORIES!
The National Day of Panhandling for Reparations Voice Mail is (971) 285-4820 Share your experiences, thoughts, opinions, excitements, concerns, and most importantly stories! On the day itself you can give this number out to people who can call in and share their thoughts.
Help us collect all the participating blogs and virtual panhanlders. Paste the following code at the end of your post Panhandling for Reparations
Make sure everyone knows that you are a virtual panhandler for reparations by posting a banner. Grab the code below:
learn more!
Copy this code into your profile to display this banner!
learn more!
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Panhandling for Reparations
(Please REPOST)
National Day of Panhandling for Reparations is a national street performance on October 10, 2007, led by conceptual artist damali ayo.
I am participating in this performance because I believe that a conversation about reparations has been pushed aside for way too long. This country has paid reparations for some of its past injustices, but not for slavery. Why not? I am sitting with this sign to show that I want reparations for American Slavery to move forward.
You can participate too. Bloggers- spread this post to any and all blogs that you belong to. This performance is a great way to generate dialogue and re-energize the stalled conversation about reparations, and a great way to show the power of blogs for connecting people, art, social issues and dialogue!
Here is How to Panhandle Online:
note: If you want to physically participate by panhandling on a street corner in your community, sign up here.
1-REPOST this post to your blog under the title “Virtual Panhandling for Reparations” Remember to include this entire post, including these instructions and the “about” section below.
2-TAKE A PHOTO of yourself with a handmade sign that reads “Reparations accepted here” or “I support Reparations.” Post this to your blog with the reason you find this performance worth your participation. Try to inspire others to participate.
3-EMAIL YOUR PHOTO with your name, city and state to pictures@reparationsday.com. A collection of all the photos will be posted here (include the link) on October 11th.
4- COLLECT ACTUAL REPARATIONS! Click here to make a reparations payment. The money will be collected and redistributed to individual African Americans. Those who make and receive payments will receive a receipt (via paypal).
5- CALL IN YOUR STORIES!
The National Day of Panhandling for Reparations Voice Mail is (971) 285-4820 Share your experiences, thoughts, opinions, excitements, concerns, and most importantly stories! On the day itself you can give this number out to people who can call in and share their thoughts.
Help us collect all the participating blogs and virtual panhanlders. Paste the following code at the end of your post Panhandling for Reparations
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About National Day of Panhandling for Reparations:
OCTOBER 10, 2007. People of all races across the United States will take an hour or two to sit in a range of locations in our communities: outside of businesses, libraries, museums, art galleries, or on busy street corners. We will wear signs reminding passersby of the history of slavery in the United States. We will collect reparations in the form of money from white Americans for the enslavement and free-labor of Africans and African Americans during the establishment and economic rise of this country. This money will be immediately paid out to black passersby. Both parties will be offered a receipt. We will do this to offer a convenient opportunity for American citizens to acknowledge, apologize and compensate the unpaid labor of African Americans, the travesty of slavery, and the rightful due of reparations.
This work began in 2003 as a street performance by artist damali ayo. In living flag: panhandling for reparations damali panhandled for reparations on the streets of various cities across the United States. In each of her locations she engaged a steady flow of reparations received and paid. October 10, 2007 marks the first annual National Day of Panhandling for Reparations where others join damali in this performance.
Even more Info:
The Basics Panhandling Instruction Kit, Video, Audio, Questions etc.
Q&A with Heather Day
Get Reparations Gear!
See all the Virtual Panhandlers! Photos will be posted on October 11, 2007
Send a Reparations Day Ecard
More on damali ayo
OCTOBER 10, 2007. People of all races across the United States will take an hour or two to sit in a range of locations in our communities: outside of businesses, libraries, museums, art galleries, or on busy street corners. We will wear signs reminding passersby of the history of slavery in the United States. We will collect reparations in the form of money from white Americans for the enslavement and free-labor of Africans and African Americans during the establishment and economic rise of this country. This money will be immediately paid out to black passersby. Both parties will be offered a receipt. We will do this to offer a convenient opportunity for American citizens to acknowledge, apologize and compensate the unpaid labor of African Americans, the travesty of slavery, and the rightful due of reparations.
This work began in 2003 as a street performance by artist damali ayo. In living flag: panhandling for reparations damali panhandled for reparations on the streets of various cities across the United States. In each of her locations she engaged a steady flow of reparations received and paid. October 10, 2007 marks the first annual National Day of Panhandling for Reparations where others join damali in this performance.
Even more Info:
The Basics Panhandling Instruction Kit, Video, Audio, Questions etc.
Q&A with Heather Day
Get Reparations Gear!
See all the Virtual Panhandlers! Photos will be posted on October 11, 2007
Send a Reparations Day Ecard
More on damali ayo
Panhandling for Reparations
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Nat'l Day of Panhandling for Reparations | Trial Run
Monday 24th September 2007 | 10:54 am
Where: College of Wooster, Wooster Ohio
Feeling: proud
Hello Everyone!
Last week I was at the College of Wooster in Ohio, and some of the students and I did the “Living Flag: Panhandling for Reparations” performance on their campus. It was AMAZING!! I offer this performance to every campus that I visit and this was the first one who took me up on the offer, so it was definitely experimental.
The students ended up collecting over $22.00 in reparations, and having powerful experiences with each other. Trust was formed between students of different races, and some deep and powerful conversations were started. You can see video from the day on my “dose of reality” show that will air in about a month.
We donated the money to the families of the Jena Six.
I hope that these creative and courageous faces inspire you to join the performance!
REGISTER now to participate in the NATIONAL DAY OF PANHANDLING FOR REPARATIONS at http://reparationsday.com
damali
Last week I was at the College of Wooster in Ohio, and some of the students and I did the “Living Flag: Panhandling for Reparations” performance on their campus. It was AMAZING!! I offer this performance to every campus that I visit and this was the first one who took me up on the offer, so it was definitely experimental.
The students ended up collecting over $22.00 in reparations, and having powerful experiences with each other. Trust was formed between students of different races, and some deep and powerful conversations were started. You can see video from the day on my “dose of reality” show that will air in about a month.
We donated the money to the families of the Jena Six.
I hope that these creative and courageous faces inspire you to join the performance!
REGISTER now to participate in the NATIONAL DAY OF PANHANDLING FOR REPARATIONS at http://reparationsday.com
damali
Link | Respond | Add to Memories | Tell a Friend
Nat'l Day of Panhandling for Reparations: Your Questions, My Answers
Thursday 13th September 2007 | 05:32 pm
Where: Portland, Oregon, USA
Feeling: rejuvenated
Listening to: Mary J Blige•Real Love
100 Americans Panhandle for Reparations
An interview with damali ayo, creator of National Day of Panhandling for Reparations
September 2007
Since I announced the National Day of Panhandling for Reparations, I’ve received some wonderful feedback, including some concerns and questions. I asked Heather Day to gather together these questions and put them to me. I hope this helps the conversation continue and deepen. Ultimately, of course, I hope it encourages more of you to join the performance and find out for yourself exactly what it is like. Experience is always the best road to understanding. – damali ayo
Heather Day: damali, you’ve been asked a lot of tough questions about your upcoming participatory performance “National Day of Panhandling for Reparations.” What do you make of people’s reactions?
damali ayo: I’m all about starting dialogue. So I’m glad people are talking to each other, though it’s not quite the caliber of conversation it could be. People often give art a quick glance, then react react react. We live in a sound-bite society and art just doesn’t fit into that mindset. Art asks you to slow down. That is one of my favorite things about this work especially. It literally asks people to slow down, to stop and take it in as they walk by on the street.
Even though I provide a lot of information and explanation on the web pages, people still don’t take the time to read, watch or listen. We live in a society where people are taught to react by lashing out instead of by learning. I wish that would change in general. I don’t mind criticism, but I wish our society was more knowledge-driven rather than reactionary. This interview is yet another attempt to engage people beyond cursory reactions. I hope people will spend time with it, and be encouraged to go back to the web page and read, watch and listen. If you are for or against the work, then write a letter to your local paper or favorite news organization, instead of writing me. Let’s broaden the conversation. This is a dialogue for our nation, not a few select folks.
HD: Let’s start with one of the most frequent issues raised: Isn’t it degrading for black people to beg on the street for reparations? Doesn’t this just play into stereotypes that blacks are lazy and looking for a handout?
From the performance statement: African Americans have tried several means to recoup reparations for the enslavement of our relatives, with little progress. Panhandling shows the last resort of African Americans after our government has ignored or denied all previous requests for reparations. Panhandling is an immediate means of exacting reparations. We offer ordinary citizens the opportunity to pay the reparations our government has denied us, or to walk past our presence on the street and continue to ignore our collective history.
da: The performance exaggerates how EASY it is to pay reparations, showing our fellow citizens and government that they are failing at such a simple task. We’re not asking for a meal or a job, we are asking for reparations. Reparations are not a handout. That’s an important point. It doesn’t equate reparations with a handout- it pairs the two to show the absurdity of equating them.
The performance exaggerates the begging feeling that African Americans might have as we ask and re-ask for reparations from our government. How many ways and times do we have to ask? No one should have to beg for what is rightfully owed to them. Many black people have told me that they either feel desperate, degraded and devalued in the reparations conversation or they just want to give up on it entirely. This performance shows our level of frustration in a clear tangible way to the American public.
The fact that some people want us not to beg is part of the performance itself. I hope that citizens all over the country see people panhandling for reparations and do all they can to stop us by encouraging our government to offer the reparations that African Americans are due.
HD: How do you define reparations?
da: Reparations is such a complicated concept.
35 performers and counting....
Register to participate in NATIONAL DAY OF PANHANDLING FOR REPARATIONS at http://reparationsday.com. Email damali ayo about this performance at reparations@damaliayo.com
An interview with damali ayo, creator of National Day of Panhandling for Reparations
September 2007
Since I announced the National Day of Panhandling for Reparations, I’ve received some wonderful feedback, including some concerns and questions. I asked Heather Day to gather together these questions and put them to me. I hope this helps the conversation continue and deepen. Ultimately, of course, I hope it encourages more of you to join the performance and find out for yourself exactly what it is like. Experience is always the best road to understanding. – damali ayo
Heather Day: damali, you’ve been asked a lot of tough questions about your upcoming participatory performance “National Day of Panhandling for Reparations.” What do you make of people’s reactions?
damali ayo: I’m all about starting dialogue. So I’m glad people are talking to each other, though it’s not quite the caliber of conversation it could be. People often give art a quick glance, then react react react. We live in a sound-bite society and art just doesn’t fit into that mindset. Art asks you to slow down. That is one of my favorite things about this work especially. It literally asks people to slow down, to stop and take it in as they walk by on the street.
Even though I provide a lot of information and explanation on the web pages, people still don’t take the time to read, watch or listen. We live in a society where people are taught to react by lashing out instead of by learning. I wish that would change in general. I don’t mind criticism, but I wish our society was more knowledge-driven rather than reactionary. This interview is yet another attempt to engage people beyond cursory reactions. I hope people will spend time with it, and be encouraged to go back to the web page and read, watch and listen. If you are for or against the work, then write a letter to your local paper or favorite news organization, instead of writing me. Let’s broaden the conversation. This is a dialogue for our nation, not a few select folks.
HD: Let’s start with one of the most frequent issues raised: Isn’t it degrading for black people to beg on the street for reparations? Doesn’t this just play into stereotypes that blacks are lazy and looking for a handout?
From the performance statement: African Americans have tried several means to recoup reparations for the enslavement of our relatives, with little progress. Panhandling shows the last resort of African Americans after our government has ignored or denied all previous requests for reparations. Panhandling is an immediate means of exacting reparations. We offer ordinary citizens the opportunity to pay the reparations our government has denied us, or to walk past our presence on the street and continue to ignore our collective history.
da: The performance exaggerates how EASY it is to pay reparations, showing our fellow citizens and government that they are failing at such a simple task. We’re not asking for a meal or a job, we are asking for reparations. Reparations are not a handout. That’s an important point. It doesn’t equate reparations with a handout- it pairs the two to show the absurdity of equating them.
The performance exaggerates the begging feeling that African Americans might have as we ask and re-ask for reparations from our government. How many ways and times do we have to ask? No one should have to beg for what is rightfully owed to them. Many black people have told me that they either feel desperate, degraded and devalued in the reparations conversation or they just want to give up on it entirely. This performance shows our level of frustration in a clear tangible way to the American public.
The fact that some people want us not to beg is part of the performance itself. I hope that citizens all over the country see people panhandling for reparations and do all they can to stop us by encouraging our government to offer the reparations that African Americans are due.
HD: How do you define reparations?
da: Reparations is such a complicated concept.
( keep reading... )
35 performers and counting....
Register to participate in NATIONAL DAY OF PANHANDLING FOR REPARATIONS at http://reparationsday.com. Email damali ayo about this performance at reparations@damaliayo.com
Link | Respond | Add to Memories | Tell a Friend
The EcoLife: Are Reparations Green?
Thursday 16th August 2007 | 11:38 am
Where: USA
Feeling: 
curious
Listening to: damali ayo-05 living flag
Is the paying of reparations to African Americans (or any group) a “green” issue?
Why or why not?
My philosophy is that all issues are deeply connected. It is the segregation of issues and "specialization" of experts that has caused us to become segmented as a society and to turn a blind eye to things we see as only affecting other people. The reality is that everything affects all of us.
In addition, reparations incorporates issues of wealth equity, profit from agriculture, economic justice, globalization, recycling, alternative energy and making the shift to green lifestyles. If we learn to treat each other with respect we can more easily treat the earth with respect. Oppressed groups have historically (sadly) shown each other that when we experience oppression, we often respond by oppressing others. This includes the earth. Collectively (not always individually) we exhibit the syndrome that people who have been treated as trash want to treat something else like trash. In that respect reparations could be a way to interrupt this cycle. In addition living with a legacy of unfair labor- "we labored without fair pay or work conditions so let someone else do that for me" informs our daily choices. Even though we know from our own history that sub-standard working conditions are inhumane, we fail to make that connection with those in sub-standard conditions today. The lack of recognition, restitution and reparation from this nation's historical actions makes empathy all that much more difficult.
What do you think?
damali
Why or why not?
My philosophy is that all issues are deeply connected. It is the segregation of issues and "specialization" of experts that has caused us to become segmented as a society and to turn a blind eye to things we see as only affecting other people. The reality is that everything affects all of us.
In addition, reparations incorporates issues of wealth equity, profit from agriculture, economic justice, globalization, recycling, alternative energy and making the shift to green lifestyles. If we learn to treat each other with respect we can more easily treat the earth with respect. Oppressed groups have historically (sadly) shown each other that when we experience oppression, we often respond by oppressing others. This includes the earth. Collectively (not always individually) we exhibit the syndrome that people who have been treated as trash want to treat something else like trash. In that respect reparations could be a way to interrupt this cycle. In addition living with a legacy of unfair labor- "we labored without fair pay or work conditions so let someone else do that for me" informs our daily choices. Even though we know from our own history that sub-standard working conditions are inhumane, we fail to make that connection with those in sub-standard conditions today. The lack of recognition, restitution and reparation from this nation's historical actions makes empathy all that much more difficult.
What do you think?
damali
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Wiki-ayo
Sunday 12th August 2007 | 07:28 pm
Feeling: pleased
I’ve made it to the hallowed halls of Wikipedia. I think this means that I officially exist.
Check out the Wikipedia entry on yours truly.
Check out the Wikipedia entry on yours truly.
Link | Respond 1 Responses | Add to Memories | Tell a Friend
National Day of Panhandling for Reparations: MeetUp Groups
Saturday 11th August 2007 | 09:23 am
Where: Nationwide
Feeling: 
energetic
Listening to: damali ayo • living flag • what did she just say? 2003
Hey!
Does anyone out there want to volunteer to start some MeetUp groups for the National Day of Panhandling for Reparations?
I would love it if you would!
( Read more... )
Does anyone out there want to volunteer to start some MeetUp groups for the National Day of Panhandling for Reparations?
I would love it if you would!
( Read more... )
Link | Respond | Add to Memories | Tell a Friend
National Day of Panhandling for Reparations
Saturday 11th August 2007 | 09:23 am
Where: Nationwide
Listening to: Play
*** Please Crosspost***
October 10, 2007
We are taking it to the streets.
Join the
First Annual
National Day of Panhandling for Reparations
More info and Sign up to Participate at reparationsday.com
OCTOBER 10, 2007. People of all races across the United States will take an hour or two to sit in a range of locations in our communities: outside of businesses, libraries, museums, art galleries, or on busy street corners. We will wear signs reminding passersby of the history of slavery in the United States. We will collect reparations in the form of money from white Americans for the enslavement and free-labor of Africans and African Americans during the establishment and economic rise of this country. This money will be immediately paid out to black passersby. Both parties will be offered a receipt. We will do this to offer a convenient opportunity for American citizens to acknowledge, apologize and compensate the unpaid labor of African Americans, the travesty of slavery, and the rightful due of reparations.
“This performance opens a powerful opportunity for dialogue between government and citizens. Wouldn’t it be remarkable if the United States decided to implement a reparations strategy before a single one of us had to take to the streets?”
Why panhandling? African Americans have tried several means to recoup reparations for the enslavement of our relatives, with little progress. Panhandling shows the last resort of African Americans after our government has ignored or denied all previous requests for reparations. Panhandling is an immediate means of exacting reparations. We offer ordinary citizens the opportunity to pay the reparations our government has denied us, or to walk past our presence on the street and continue to ignore our collective history. What choice will you make?
Social movements succeed when multiple channels are involved. This performance takes the conversation about reparations to the street, adding a grassroots element to the already present academic and legislative conversations. Citizens have both the chance to pay and accept reparations, showing our representatives that citizens do indeed want to make reparations payments and how easily it can be accomplished. In addition citizens are encouraged to send their receipts to the IRS as proof that reparations is a process supported by the general public.
This work began in 2003 as a street performance by artist damali ayo: In living flag: panhandling for reparations
watch the performance on damali's web page or on youtube.
October 10, 2007
We are taking it to the streets.
Join the
First Annual
National Day of Panhandling for Reparations
More info and Sign up to Participate at reparationsday.com
OCTOBER 10, 2007. People of all races across the United States will take an hour or two to sit in a range of locations in our communities: outside of businesses, libraries, museums, art galleries, or on busy street corners. We will wear signs reminding passersby of the history of slavery in the United States. We will collect reparations in the form of money from white Americans for the enslavement and free-labor of Africans and African Americans during the establishment and economic rise of this country. This money will be immediately paid out to black passersby. Both parties will be offered a receipt. We will do this to offer a convenient opportunity for American citizens to acknowledge, apologize and compensate the unpaid labor of African Americans, the travesty of slavery, and the rightful due of reparations.
“This performance opens a powerful opportunity for dialogue between government and citizens. Wouldn’t it be remarkable if the United States decided to implement a reparations strategy before a single one of us had to take to the streets?”
Why panhandling? African Americans have tried several means to recoup reparations for the enslavement of our relatives, with little progress. Panhandling shows the last resort of African Americans after our government has ignored or denied all previous requests for reparations. Panhandling is an immediate means of exacting reparations. We offer ordinary citizens the opportunity to pay the reparations our government has denied us, or to walk past our presence on the street and continue to ignore our collective history. What choice will you make?
Social movements succeed when multiple channels are involved. This performance takes the conversation about reparations to the street, adding a grassroots element to the already present academic and legislative conversations. Citizens have both the chance to pay and accept reparations, showing our representatives that citizens do indeed want to make reparations payments and how easily it can be accomplished. In addition citizens are encouraged to send their receipts to the IRS as proof that reparations is a process supported by the general public.
This work began in 2003 as a street performance by artist damali ayo: In living flag: panhandling for reparations
watch the performance on damali's web page or on youtube.