For the rest of the month of June, in celebration of African American Music Appreciation Month, the creators of the April 8th "Don’t Mute DC" petition, veteran Go-Go and peace activist Ronald “Mo” Moten and Go-Go and cultural scholar Dr. Natalie Hopkinson, wish to continue the conversation about cultural preservation, fighting against displacement and for peace, prosperity and justice for all Washingtonians. Please mark the following dates:
3-6 p.m. Fri. JUNE 14. As school lets out, Moten invites D.C. youth to get ahead of another long, hot summer by launching a bi-weekly series of conversations about peace and alternatives to violence, featuring live performances by the go-go bands TCB and TOB in the Secret Garden at Check It Enterprises, 1920 Martin Luther King Jr Ave SE, Washington, D.C.
6:30 p.m. Wed. JUNE 19. The next #dontmutedc strategy and empowerment meeting will take place. Moten will moderate a discussion between youth, young adults as well as community leaders and advocates at Check It Enterprises to set priorities for future campaigns.
Noon-5 p.m. Sat. JUNE 29. Hopkinson and Moten will anchor a “Don’t Mute DC” tent at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival on the National Mall, where they have co-curated a special go-go musical showcase and multimedia program during the annual festival, whose theme this year is “The Social Power of Music.” Also featured will be Julien Broomfield, the recent Howard University graduate who created the #dontmutedc hashtag, Central Communications (Metro PCS) owner Donald Campbell, decorated music producer Tone P and author and activist Tony Lewis Jr., and more.
BACKGROUND
The #dontmutedc uprising that began with springtime battle over music and public space has morphed into an urgent public conversation about gentrification, culture, history and racial disparities in education, healthcare, criminal justice and public safety. Go-Go music has given a voice to these issues and inspired many longtime Washingtonians to renew their ongoing fight to enjoy the prosperity washing over their great city. Since winning the return of the music at the corner of 7th and Florida Avenue, musicians and activists from across the city have continued to build momentum. They successfully pressured the D.C. city council to reverse cuts to United Medical Center, the only hospital in D.C.’s Ward 7 & 8 slated for closure; to restore funds cut from Banneker Academic High School’s move to Shaw; to restore funding to a critical program Project Empowerment. In addition, a proposed bill will make Go-Go the official music of Washington, D.C.
For future updates, please text “Native” to 40649. Follow “dontmutedc” on Instagram/Twitter