Recent political events and the restlessness, riots, placards, demonstrations and anger they’ve provoked show that protesting and activism are as alive (and needed) as ever. In these tumultuous times it’s fascinating to look back on some beautifully shot images of the protesters of yesteryear, as in the work at the Bronx Documentary Center’s show 'Whose Streets? Our Streets!': New York 1980-2000.
The exhibition showcases the work of 38 photographers working during that two-decade period and documenting the activism in the Bronx, provoked by issues including police brutality, housing and gentrification, AIDS and gay and lesbian rights, reproductive rights, U.S. foreign policy and military actions, art and the culture wars, environmental and animal rights issues, among others.
As so many placards we’ve seen at protests such as the recent Women’s Marches across the world hit home, we can’t believe that more than 30 years since these photographs were shot, we’re still having to protest this shit.
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