Facing Change: Cultural Appropriation
Monday, June 14, 6 – 7:30pm
Writer Quentin Williams will join the next conversation in our new series about race in America.
Free; registration required
About the Event
“Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” —James Baldwin
Join us for our free online speaker series Facing Change. Every other month, the Barnes brings together artists, scholars, and community activists virtually for a multicultural and intergenerational conversation about race in America.
Today’s conversation focuses on cultural appropriation—the use of objects or elements of a culture or identity by members of a different culture or identity. This practice can be controversial when members of a dominant culture appropriate from disadvantaged groups. The panel features writer Quentin Williams, artist Colette Fu, and musician Alex Shaw, with producer Loraine Ballard Morrill as moderator. During the program, you’ll be encouraged to use the chat function to submit your own questions.
Registrants will be emailed a link to the program by 5pm on Monday, June 14.
Panelists
Quentin Williams
Williams is founder and executive director of We The People Stage, a community engagement, marketing, and video production company that uplifts diverse voices to create inclusive narratives. He writes a column on diversity, equity, and inclusion for the Philly Ad News and serves on Philly Ad Club's board of directors. Williams, also known as Quentin The Poet, performs spoken word throughout the city and served as an ambassador for Visit Philly’s Our Turn to Tourist campaign.
Colette Fu
Fu is a book artist and photographer based in Philadelphia. She uses her photographs to create intricate pop-up books, which highlight her commitment to share stories and promote diversity. Her work is included in the collections of the National Museum of Women in the Arts and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, among others. In 2017, Fu created Tao Hua Yuan Ji, the world’s largest pop-up book, at the Philadelphia Photo Arts Center. In 2020, she received a Painters & Sculptors Grant from the Joan Mitchell Foundation.
Alex Shaw
Shaw is a percussionist, composer, and arts educator based in Philadelphia. He is a faculty member at the University of the Arts and was formerly the artistic director for Intercultural Journeys, where he curated performance platforms for BIPOC artists, designed community dialogues, and led arts education initiatives. Shaw is also a founding board member and lead teaching artist for the music education nonprofit LiveConnections.
Loraine Ballard Morrill, moderator
Morrill is news and community affairs director for six iHeartMedia stations in Philadelphia (Power 99 FM, WDAS FM, ALT 104.5 FM, The Breeze 106.1, The Gambler 1480, and Q102). A veteran producer and broadcaster, she has received recognition and numerous awards for her reporting and community affairs contributions, including six National Association of Broadcasters Crystal Awards for Service. Morrill is also the host and producer of Insight and What’s Going On, about local and national issues impacting Philadelphia.
Upcoming Talks
Identity
Monday, August 16, 2021
Panelists: Ernel Martinez, Francoise Thenoux, and Daniel de Jesús
Moderator: Loraine Ballard Morrill
Health
Monday, October 11, 2021
Panelists: Filmmaker André Robert Lee, conceptual artist Althea Rao, percussionist LaTreice Branson
Moderator: Loraine Ballard Morrill
About the Series
Facing Change is a speaker series and community conversation grounded in the belief that all people are created equal and all systems need to be regularly assessed for equity. Every other month, leading scholars, artists, and activists will engage in important discussions, guided by guest moderators and you, the viewer, to ensure we examine the nuances that are sure to arise in conversations about race in America.
The Barnes has a history of working alongside the Black community. This series, along with other initiatives, continues our practice of working toward equality for all. Created in partnership with Loraine Ballard Morrill, OneHunted, Small But Mighty Arts, and the Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival.
Past Talks
Catch up on past talks on our YouTube page.
Facing Change: Colorism
Scholar-activist Dr. Yaba Blay, performing artist Madhusmita Bora, and workforce development advocate Sean Robinson. Moderated by producer Loraine Ballard Morrill.
Recorded October 12, 2020.
Facing Change: Race as a Social Construct
Film and media scholar Rob Buscher, writer and arts administrator Kalela Williams, and performing artist Ani Gavino. Moderated by producer Loraine Ballard Morrill.
Recorded December 14, 2020.
Facing Change: Anti-Racism
Writer Vanessa Julye, musician Doug Hirlinger, and poet Nina “Lyrispect” Ball. Moderated by producer Loraine Ballard Morrill.
Recorded February 15, 2021.
Go Further
Private Collection Tours
Explore highlights of the collection and learn the history of the Barnes. This tour is a private one-hour experience for you and up to four guests.
Private Tours: Soutine / de Kooning
Tour our newest exhibition and see the visual relationship between two modern masters. This tour is a private one-hour experience for you and up to four guests.
Private Virtual Tours
Visit the Barnes without leaving home! Book a custom online tour for your friends, family, or colleagues