Last night I was coming from visiting my brother in Brooklyn and had the pleasure of riding the 2 all the way back to the Bronx *insert annoyed side eye emoji*. While on the train a subway performer entered my crate, which of course got me very excited. I love catching subway performances; occasionally when riding I get delighted by break dancers, singers and poets, but yesterday was the first time a jembe player came on board to perform, so I was mad hype to say the least.
The older man came on the train rocking a dashiki and sitting on a milk crate with his instrument settled in his lap. He then proceeded to introduce himself, his art and history. While he was starting his act, some young folks on the far end of the train, most likely in their early 20s, instantly pulled out their phones. Of the phone-pulling-out people was a white and brown boy along with a black girl. The speed of their attempt to recording was alarming; they reminded me of paparazzi. The performer then said to them while slowing down on the drumming "Now look young man, sister, you all can record, but that's only if you plan to" and he lifted up a dollar out of the money container he had, "contribute". Immediately, these three young people put down their phones shaking their head and smiling. I read the white boy's lips mouthing "Fuck that!" I gave them all very mean glares; they stopped smiling so hard. The performer began his drumming session.
Of course it was a great performance and people gave him a some funds. As he walked around thanking people and advertising himself, he spoke to those young people again. "Now if you're not from around here [which they all totally are; they're just rude], just know that it's only common courtesy that if you plan on filming an artist, you give some gratuity. If you don't, you're basically exploiting us. We put everything on the line doing this. It's illegal. So we already put ourselves at risk. This is how we make a living..."
The likeliness of his message resonating in those folks seemed slim to none from a third perspective, but hopefully they and others who witnessed everything got the memo, being artist are not to be taken advantage of. So many times on the New York Life Snapchat storyline I see subway/street performers being recorded. In the back of my mind I'm always wondering whether the person recording gave them any money. People want to engage with artists by dancing while they're playing, talking back to them and ultimately making a mockery of this person's craft and hustle while not sparing even a penny to show support. It's unfortunate how often this happens, and it was powerful to see an artist defend his work and not allow a few uncultured jerks to self gain off his hard work.
When I first moved up here all I wanted to do was see a performance on a train. I kept telling my brother and family how I look forward to that moment. It took only two months for my dreams to come true and I happened to catch three boys who breakdance. I pulled out my phone and recorded most of it and when they finished, I applauded, put a dollar in the bucket and said "thank you". The video is posted on my Facebook page. One of my cousins asked if I had given them money. At the time I was looking for work so I was embarrassed to say yes because I presumed she would consider that reckless spending or something. I admitted I did and she said nothing back, but I now realize she was checking to see if I was like those many people who exploit artist. I'm sure she was glad I did. None of these performers are show monkeys, circus animals, or spectacles. They're are to be respected and valued.
This may seem like a random thing to get riled up about, but that's the desensitizing of the human factor within art. The only was we can continue to enjoy an artwork is by artists counting to have funds to create. So we must remember and attempt to empathize with them. Obviously they do what they do because they love it and want to bring entertainment to others, but there's always a price for any skill or trade. So like he said, have the common courtesy to keep your phone in your pocket if you have no intent on paying him for his services. I say to all artists, protect your craft! You deserve that much.
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