The collective, which has branched out of Chicago with members starting like organizations in other cities, embraces “like minded communities of color” by creating dialogue, fund raising at underground shows, and “challenging machismo and ‘boy culture'” in the punk and DIY scene.
Spearheaded by co-founders Monika Estrella Negra and Donte Oxun, The Black and Brown Collective was formed as a response to what they perceived as ignorance and an exclusive attitude toward LBGTQ people of color in the larger punk scene. Estrella Negra and Oxun met in 2009 through Anarchist People of Color, and started The Black and Brown Collective after discussing some of the homophobic and racist reactions that they experienced in punk scenes in other parts of the country. As a result, the two have established a coalition with punk rock as a major component but with the DIY ethos as the major factor.
The festival started Aug. 28 with a workshop headed by a representative of Black Lives Matter and a night of music at The Chicago Women in Trades space, 2444 W. 16th Pl. Saturdays events included multiple workshops and discussion groups on a focused selection of topics. The festival concluded with a massive concert at Chi Town Futbol, 2255 S. Throop St..
The major focus of the workshops was on the eradication of anti-Black racism, the elimination of hate crimes and violence against trans women of color, and the divide between communities of color in activism. One workshop evolved into an arts lab as participants made stitchings with the names of trans murder victims with the intent that their names would not be forgotten.
The musical portions of the festival held a number of surprises for fest goers with straight-up queer-flavored punk performances from Cabrona (a Mexican female band), Through and Through (Mexican punkers from Little Village) and Breathing Light (African-American punk-rockers). Philadelphia native Moor Mother Goddess’ set was steeped in deep art rap, while one-man band Black Bandit and the Stick Ups performed soul and rock standards with an aggressive ethnic and punk edge. Rapper and poet Kris DeLeRash performed “Mourning,” a defiant call-out against violence toward trans individuals, and local art rock performance artists Ono, fronted by 70-year-old out vocalist Travis, delivered a set that enraptured the slam-dancing crowd.
This edition of the festival benefited Sojourners Land (which organizes rural retreats for QTIPOC), The Crib (an overnight youth shelter run by the Night Ministry), and the Feed the People food bank. For more information on this and upcoming events, go to bnbpunkshowcollective.com.