sattasarmahonline.com

On October 10th, visual artist damali ayo launched the first annual National Day of Panhandling for Reparations. The day of panhandling is based on a 2003 street performance ayo did in which she sat in public places throughout many cities and collected money from white passersby. She then redistributed it to black people who walked past her, telling them the money was atonement for their ancestors’ enslavement.

In a telephone interview I did with ayo on Wednesday morning, she said the day is more about artistic performance and awareness than provocative protest. 

“I’m an artist; I’m not a marcher,” said ayo, who is based in Portland, Oregon. “What I’m interested in is a creative approach to social issues to the people. I’m interested in making a difference in people’s every day lives.”

“The thing that I love the most about this performance is when I’m on the street panhandling, every single person, whether they talk to me or not, has an experience with that,” ayo said. “They walk past; they see it; they snicker; they judge it. It’s confusing; they like it. They start conversations with people about it. That’s what art should do.”

On Wednesday,  70 people from 21 states and three countries re-enacted ayo’s street performance in their respective cities. The volunteers hoped their performances would help to re-open the debate about reparations for the descendents of slaves.

The issue was even addressed during the recent CNN/YouTube Democratic Presidential debate. The Democrats, who have typically received widespread support from the African-American community, were very prudent in their answers.

Should African Americans be given reparations for slavery?
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5XAvfgpesU]

Reaction to the National Day of Panhandling for Reparations has been decidely mixed:

• Oregonian story about reparations day
• Thump’s Corner Discussion Board 
• Ask This Black Woman’s personal blog
• Posting on Eschew.net