This is a childhood friend of mine. She had an art instillation in East Liberty with the words "There are Black People in the Future"

Building Landlord got pissed and made them remove the text.

The billboard has all types of text put on it for art installations but this one made people upset.

http://triblive.com/local/allegheny/13499566-74/removing-black-artists-words-from-the-last-billboard-tragically-ironic-creator-says

Removing black artist's words from The Last Billboard 'tragically ironic

A controversy is brewing over the removal of a black artist's message — "There Are Black People In The Future" — from an art installation atop a building in East Liberty.

Larimer artist Alisha Wormsley's message was one of 34 that have been posted, one at a time, on a large billboard atop the Werner Building at the intersection of South Highland Avenue and Baum Boulevard since 2013. Building owner We Do Property Management had the message removed, according to Pittsburgh artist and Carnegie Mellon University professor Jon Rubin, who created the installation dubbed The Last Billboard.

"Last week, The Last Billboard's landlord, We Do Property, forced Alisha's text to be taken down over objections to the content (through a never-before-evoked clause in the lease that gives the landlord the right to approve text)," Rubin said in a statement posted Tuesday on The Last Billboard's website.

The message went up in March. It was unclear why We Do Property objected.


The company's website directs callers to Caryn B. Rubinoff, principal of the Rubinoff Co., Downtown, which shares the same Liberty Avenue address as We Do Property. Rubinoff did not return a message seeking comment.

The Rubinoff Co. manages, leases and maintains about 2 million square feet of office, flex, warehouse and residential space in the Pittsburgh area, including the Koppers Building, Downtown, according to its website.

Contacted by email, Rubin declined to comment, but his statement indicates that he objected to the removal.

"I believe in the power, poetry and relevance of Alisha's text and see absolutely no reason it should have been taken down," he said. "I find it tragically ironic, given East Liberty's history and recent gentrification, that a text by an African-American artist affirming a place in the future for black people is seen as unacceptable in the present."

Wormsley could not be reached for comment.

The decision touched off a firestorm of controversy on social media.

Dozens of people have posted supportive comments on Wormsley's Facebook page, which contains a repost of Rubin's statement along with a photograph of the billboard containing her message. The thread has generated hundreds of shares.

Rubin previously told the Tribune-Review that he created the billboard to generate thought-provoking comments.

Funded by the Pittsburgh Foundation, the billboard has included such messages as "Ideally Everything Will Turn Quiet Now," "A Tow Truck Pulling An Ambulance" and "You Don't Need A Weatherman To Tell Which Way The Wind Blows."

****************
TBH the fact that you're even a mod here fits squarely within Jag's narrative of OK-sanctioned aggression, bullying, and toxicity. *shrug*

My inbox is being flooded with people accusing me of being a rascist for asking you to remove the sign. As you know, I requested that you remove it because other people in the community felt the sign was racist and were offended by it. So here we are. Art has caused friction. Perhaps that’s what you wanted but it shouldn’t be aimed at me.

We have worked together productively on this project for almost 8 years now, an arrangement which has added tremendously to the cultural fabric of the neighborhood. Over that time, we have never questioned any of the artistic statements you have made. This is all very disappointing. If a full community conversation is to be had, then that’s what should be focussed on.

If you agree to sponsor and conduct a community discussion where all parties are invited - and by that I mean everyone you have reached out to, everyone who was offended by it, the administration, the press, and anyone else - that is held at a public venue in East Liberty, such as the Kelly-Strayhorn, and if the end result of that discussion is agreement that the sign should go up again, we will be the first to give you the go ahead.

Eve Picker


whats funny is East Lib is going thru major gentrification and folks find this text racist!!!

It's racist to remind folks that Black folk will be here in the future?

****************
TBH the fact that you're even a mod here fits squarely within Jag's narrative of OK-sanctioned aggression, bullying, and toxicity. *shrug*

"Not if I can help it"

...I'm from the era when A.I. was the answer, now they think ai is the answer - Marlon Craft

***********************************************************
https://soundcloud.com/swageyph/yph-die-with-me

------
“There is no fate that cannot be surmounted by scorn.” -Albert Camus

.

...I'm from the era when A.I. was the answer, now they think ai is the answer - Marlon Craft

.

the same as white ones. How novel.

Bravo.

___________________

Mar-A-Lago delenda est

both have had the same sentiment "they catering to anyone who is not black"
my mom was on the board for the redevelopment of East Liberty and quit because of the way they were moving
luckily both of em own their places and are reaping the benefits of the gentrification
but everytime i go back home....people look at me like i dont belong lol
I went to the Trader Joes on Penn Ave and the lady asked me am I from here...i told her u used to catch trains in the back of here lol

______________________________________

Navem nu, cuando sol
Tutu nu, vondo nos nu
Vita em, no continous non
Nos nu ekta nos sepe ta, amen

When the sun shades the ship
We sweat and life is not safe
To swim or to touch not
When we unite we hedge amen

Not being subservient is offensive. Being proud of yourself and your accomplishments as a black person is offensive. Believing in yourself and believing that you can and will be great is offensive. Believing that black people, communities and culture will continue to grow and get stronger. Refusing to be held down is offensive.

Not staying in your place. Classic.

****************
TBH the fact that you're even a mod here fits squarely within Jag's narrative of OK-sanctioned aggression, bullying, and toxicity. *shrug*

Very doubtful that's the motivating thought behind most of the complaints.

The billboard statement, to my white mind, seems grounded in a subtext that whites are looking forward to, or in favor of, the elimination of black people. This is an offensive subtext to me.

Additionally, a lot of white people are probably offended in principle by yet another demonstration of the double-standard that exists, where white-centered racial awareness messages (such as the recent "it's okay to be white" meme) are prohibited from public spaces, while similarly provocative POC-centered messages are often allowed. Note that a person doesn't have to be in favor of the former messages (as I'm definitely not) to have a problem with this double standard, and with the allowance of the provocative POC-centered messages.

They can simply be, as I am, against race-baiting messages, full-stop.

****************
TBH the fact that you're even a mod here fits squarely within Jag's narrative of OK-sanctioned aggression, bullying, and toxicity. *shrug*

.

It (from my perspective) has NOTHING to do with anything other than black people.

It's black people talking to other black people to help motivate each other. Black people facing very real problems in the US, and history has shown that if we don't muscle-up and start improving ourselves, our families, our communities and our county then it just won't happen.

The message helps plant the seed in the minds of black people that we matter, we're valuable, and we should carry ourselves as such. Those seeds lead to higher self-esteem, more motivation, lower crime, pride in one's community, better networking, etc.


With all that said, I think the root of the problem is perspective.

Google search "black pride" vs. "white pride"

Black pride = Pro Black
White pride = Anti Black


See the disconnect?

------
“There is no fate that cannot be surmounted by scorn.” -Albert Camus

I assumed dude was being upfront with his views, and open to dialog.

Meat just hates me and follows me around. In a second he'll paste a quote of something very benign I said long ago, as though it is damning, hoping you won't read it.

****************
TBH the fact that you're even a mod here fits squarely within Jag's narrative of OK-sanctioned aggression, bullying, and toxicity. *shrug*

Stormfront = pro-race baiting as long as it supports their preferred groups, so they are much more in line with your own position.

My position is called ANTI-racist.

but the reality is you are uncomfortable seeing the words Black Lives or Black People.

You are in defense mode because you feel threatened.. when the reality is this shit has nothing to do with you.

****************
TBH the fact that you're even a mod here fits squarely within Jag's narrative of OK-sanctioned aggression, bullying, and toxicity. *shrug*

Anti-gentrification, cheap alcohol & trying to look pretty in our twilight posting years (c) Big Reg
http://Tupreme.com

The irony is that you just proved his point.

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH

_____________________
puttin' the roota in the toota since 98'

What does it say that these benign statements are controversial and white people find them offensive?

I'll admit that I didn't get it at first. I think I was critical of the name BLM and for the life of me can't remember why (need to find that post we discussed it).

But the fact that name and this statement drives people crazy is illuminating.


**********
"Everyone has a plan until you punch them in the face. Then they don't have a plan anymore." (c) Mike Tyson

"what's a leader if he isn't reluctant"

to most wypipo because it's seen as an attack on them.

****************
TBH the fact that you're even a mod here fits squarely within Jag's narrative of OK-sanctioned aggression, bullying, and toxicity. *shrug*

The same applies to Black Lives Matter. It is the implied subtext that is offensive, not the statement itself. I resent the implication that the problem of police brutality and judicial leniency towards the officers involved is an indication of a widespread attitude that black people's lives don't matter.

It's condescending, demonizing, as has the potential to have negative consequences (as all race-baiting can).

****************
TBH the fact that you're even a mod here fits squarely within Jag's narrative of OK-sanctioned aggression, bullying, and toxicity. *shrug*

>I resent
>the implication that the problem of police brutality and
>judicial leniency towards the officers involved is an
>indication of a widespread attitude that black people's lives
>don't matter.

And it always has been.

Your resentment seems like a defense mechanism. Or an outright refusal to acknowledge the fact that white supremacy has been the goal of this country since the settlers got here. That doesn't mean every single white person in the US seeks to achieve this goal (I certainly don't) but it exists everywhere, and permeates everything. And the exposure of these truths shouldn't offend you, unless of course you're in support of that goal.

----------------------------------------

"Fuck aliens." © WarriorPoet415

If hearing India Aries "Brown Skin" makes you feel attacked you are telling on yourself.

****************
TBH the fact that you're even a mod here fits squarely within Jag's narrative of OK-sanctioned aggression, bullying, and toxicity. *shrug*

>If hearing India Aries "Brown Skin" makes you feel attacked
>you are telling on yourself.

At best it shows a lack of understanding of the history of the country and world you live in. Which at this point is more or less a deliberate refusal to accept the evidence and facts right in front of you.

----------------------------------------

"Fuck aliens." © WarriorPoet415

it convicts nobody. I mean, white people roll their eyes at it. Racist white people even.

"Sure buddy, I know black lives matter and stuff, but you gotta admit that Alton Sterling boy had a gun."

It captures no ground that 99.8% of white people wish to stand on or defend.

Meanwhile, the "strength" of the message is it energizes well-meaning people due to the paranoia it entails.

It's both hysterical and empty. Like all racism.

..to become active participants in their neighborhoods, communities and country. It's opened a dialog--however uncomfortable--that *anyone* can participate in, including you.

http://stmedia.startribune.com/images/ows_144002532180502.jpg
http://mediad.publicbroadcasting.net/p/kplu/files/styles/x_large/public/201708/AP_17106052603903.jpg

Notice that there's not just Black people in those photos? Go ahead and google more if you want. Then go ahead and google "White lives matter"


It's dishonest to label "Black Lives Matter" as racist, when most evidence points to it being an inclusive movement.

>it convicts nobody. I mean, white people roll their eyes at
>it. Racist white people even.

Not clear your point here. especially your use of "even".


>
>"Sure buddy, I know black lives matter and stuff, but you
>gotta admit that Alton Sterling boy had a gun."


Well the point is the person who would make that statement NEVER acknowledges black lives matter. They can't bring themselves to say it. They say ALL Lives Matter. They see the statement as ONLY Black lives Matter. The beauty of the statement is that it has been so revealing that so many black and white people find problematic such a benign, what should be obvious statement. It's such a simple thing to acknowledge. Such a simple statement. Why is it so hard to say?!?!


>It captures no ground that 99.8% of white people wish to stand
>on or defend.

So yeah, it has been a failure as a marketing tool. White people have not been flocking to get under that banner.

But I think it has served way more valuable as a statement to illuminate how basic and fundamental the problem is.

If we can't agree that black lives matter, how the fuck are we able to discuss the more complex issues that revolve around police brutality.

So to me, fuck it as a marketing tool, I love it for being a lithmus test of how fcuked up this country is. It's going to be worth it alone when 75 years from now (god willing) our children's children will look in text books and talk about how terrible the past was when white folks couldn't even acknowledge that black lives even mattered.



>
>Meanwhile, the "strength" of the message is it energizes
>well-meaning people due to the paranoia it entails.

I don't follow.


>It's both hysterical and empty. Like all racism.

You think the statement black lives matters is racist?



**********
"Everyone has a plan until you punch them in the face. Then they don't have a plan anymore." (c) Mike Tyson

"what's a leader if he isn't reluctant"

>>it convicts nobody. I mean, white people roll their eyes at
>>it. Racist white people even.
>
>Not clear your point here.
>>It's both hysterical and empty. Like all racism.
>
>You think the statement black lives matters is racist?
>
>
>

Yes. In that it is a straw man. No juror who failed to indict a racist cop thinks or says “black lives do not matter.” That’s not how racism in 2018 America operates.

Is “black lives matter” actually influencing ppl to think this is the attitude of whites, and to incorrectly diagnose this attitude as the motivating force behind disproportionate police violence, and judicial inaction against same? I’d say it is, based on your own replies on this thread, wherein you perceive resistance to the slogan as an objection to the term blm itself, rather than to its subtext.”they don’t like the term blm, because they don’t believe blm!” Just not true.

There are many slogans that would be literally true contraindications of certain problematic behaviors, that you’d nevertheless think twice before marching under, due to context.

Ask yourself this: if white people looked at a problem in the black community (let’s take gang crime), and decided to start a political group with a catchy summary of the problem as its name (aimed at an unspecified them, bu obviously geared towards black actions and attitudes in the same way blm is geared towards white ones) wouldn’t it undoubtedly have a racist, reductive hue?

Blm is a misdiagnosis of the problem, and a racist reduction of white attitudes.

------
“There is no fate that cannot be surmounted by scorn.” -Albert Camus

n/m

------
“There is no fate that cannot be surmounted by scorn.” -Albert Camus

Obv

Soooooo ^shrugs^

------
“There is no fate that cannot be surmounted by scorn.” -Albert Camus

.

Anti-gentrification, cheap alcohol & trying to look pretty in our twilight posting years (c) Big Reg
http://Tupreme.com

****************
TBH the fact that you're even a mod here fits squarely within Jag's narrative of OK-sanctioned aggression, bullying, and toxicity. *shrug*

i see it as a broad "we're not going anywhere" type of message to no one in particular. it can be interpreted in multiple ways. i suppose if someone wanted to be offended by it they could find a reason but if someone is looking for that they'll find whatever justification they need in anything they examine

they hate it when we speak even if to say "we in the building too"

***********************************************************
https://soundcloud.com/swageyph/yph-die-with-me

Much needed attention to the arts—artists—Black artists—Black Female artists...& Alisha Wormsley. For 8 years she’s been making fantastic art atop that beautiful building, her recognition is suddenly being virally catapulted with this meaningful art, which moves people emotionally—exactly what art is supposed to do.

but she has been at it for a while.

****************
TBH the fact that you're even a mod here fits squarely within Jag's narrative of OK-sanctioned aggression, bullying, and toxicity. *shrug*

I thought they were all hers.
http://www.thelastbillboard.com/

It's barely art + it's messing with his money

and promoted the billboard as a place to put up thought provoking messages.

but as soon as one quote says Black folk will be in the future people lose their shit?

Makes you look hypocritical and butch made IMO.

****************
TBH the fact that you're even a mod here fits squarely within Jag's narrative of OK-sanctioned aggression, bullying, and toxicity. *shrug*

------
“There is no fate that cannot be surmounted by scorn.” -Albert Camus

_____________
if racism is a cancer, black thought is the answer.

Rjcc is code for "bitch-ass troll"

DROkayplayer™