Yes, Solange killed it, but Afropunk is so much more than a show.
In front of the entrance and on both sides of the main stage, there are signs in bold black and white that read: “No sexism. No racism. No ableism. No ageism. No homophobia. No fatphobia. No transphobia. No hatefulness.” Looks like a lot of rules for a celebration of freedom.
On the surface, this may not sound revolutionary until you consider how even the Civil Rights movement in the U.S. was long mired in the respectability politics of clean, heteronormative appearance and as recently as last spring, black girls at a charter school were punished simply for wearing their hair in braids.
See my full reflections on Afropunk Atlanta at Creative Loafing Atlanta here.
Note I took all photos except for the one of Solange.
(Photo: Shannon Barbour, Green Stage)
(Solange @saintrecords, Instagram)
(Photo of V. Her hair was in my peripheral vision as I watched Solange perform “Don’t Touch My Hair” I loved her Afro and freckles and she allowd me to take her photo: Shannon Barbour)
The Secret Life of Shannon B 