This moment in time and in our fights, and the amazing weather brought the people OUT to this year’s Peoplehood! Each year we realize the impact of the Peoplehood tradition on a deeper level. It brings together an unlikely range of folks from our various communities and lifts up the stories, concerns and energies in all our collective work in a joyful, supportive space as we walk through the streets of West Philly and share in the Clark Park “dog bowl”.

Families, friends and neighbors gathered once again at the PaulRobeson House for our 18th annual Peoplehood on Saturday October 21st. Two long time partner groups, Girard Medical Center and the Youth Volunteer Corps learned the Healing and Reconciliation Dance on 50th street, in preparation for the participatory performance at the end of the parade. It was a powerful introduction to the day to understand the meaning behind each move and it’s connection to the violence of oppression  of people of color in the US. The scene of over 50 adults and youth learning these movements in the closed off  street set the tone for a day of joyful resistance through the real magic of intersectionality and the deep ally-ship it reveals.

Participating groups and individuals, new and old, folded themselves into different sections of the parade either taking on Spiral Q puppets that embodied the this year’s theme of “Healing Our Roots” or brought their own artwork and gifts to bear including work from Trans March Philadlephia, the West Powelton Drum Squad and stilt walking ensemble Moko•Motion.

After winding our way through West Philly streets, the parade spilled into Clark Park, where the West Powelton Drum Squad performed then accompanied park audience members in the flash mob style Healing and Reconciliation Dance, followed by a Mini Puppet Pageant that reaffirmed our communities’ legacies, recognized our need to nurture our neighborhoods, protect our people and energize our resistance.

 

 

 

 

 

MORE AMAZING PHOTOS
See a BEAUTIFUL set of photos by Rachel Warriner and Jennifer Turnbull here.

WE’D LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU!
Let us know what you thought of Peoplehood or if you have some images you’d like to share!

Special thanks to The Paul Robeson House and Vernoca Michael, The neighbors of the 100 Block of Walnut St and their block captain Mielele Hawkins, Philadelphia Department of Parks and Recreation, The Friends of Clark Park, and a very special volunteer Rachel from Knoxville Tennessee’s Cattywampus Puppet Council who volunteered for the week.