Art of protest: The work of Birmingham artists and activists 19 Gallery: Art of protest: The work of Birmingham artists and activists

The Saturday after the Alabama Senate Election, art students from University of Alabama at Birmingham gathered for an art show outside of Good People Brewing on 14th Street South.

The show, called "Art of Protest," had been planned long before the election. But that chilly afternoon, the exhibit felt like a celebration.

For the past few weeks, Republican Senate candidate Roy Moore had emerged as the unfortunate face of Alabama. Notorious for his fanatical Christian views and rife with accusations of sexual misconduct with underage girls in his 30s (accusations which he denied), the nation watched on edge as Moore and Democrat Doug Jones competed in the heavily red state.

The night of Dec. 12, many Americans breathed a sigh of relief as Alabamians sent Jones to the U.S. Senate, making him the first Democrat in Alabama to win that seat in almost 30 years.

The pieces on display at the art show-- an American flag painted with the faces of victims of police brutality, to a colorful mural with inspirational words for gay youth-- sent a clear message: Roy Moore doesn't speak for Alabama.

An American flag painted with faces of victims of police brutality. Artist Clifton Abraham says his piece focused on NFL player Colin Kaepernick and his decision to take a knee to protest police brutality. (Photo: Shauna Stuart, Al.com)

The artists and musicians gathered in Birmingham that afternoon, some of whom call themselves activists, are keeping a watchful eye on politics in both Alabama and the Magic City.

A Protest, But Without the Madness

"The show is basically about giving students the ability to have a voice in art and protest," said the exhibit's curator Isaac Brady, a senior at UAB majoring in mixed motion and media.

"My first thoughts in curating the show were to make it what a protest actually is, but leave out all the madness," said Brady. "It's basically giving an opportunity to protest with a silent voice in art."

Protests and activism have always had roots in the artist community, especially in Alabama. Coretta Scott King was a musician and singer who organized "Freedom Concerts" to raise money for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. Jazz artist Sun Ra responded to racial injustice in the 1960s through his music. Kentucky native and artist Gordon Parks, who documented segregation in Mobile, Alabama in 1956, was an activist and one of the foremost photographers of the civil rights movement.

Brady is hesitant to call himself an activist, but he is inspired by Birmingham native and civil rights activist Angela Davis.

"My grandmother is a retired English teacher and, really, it was embedded in me to be here right now. It felt like I had something to prove in terms of artistry and being a voice of the community."

The 26-year-old native of Greene County, Alabama isn't just a visual artist. He's also known around music circles as WhoSaine Jett, one third of the hip-hop collective C1UB: A.M. The trio is comprised of Brady, Chris Butler, a.k.a ChiStyle, and Ledarius Simmons, a.k.a "Love N Sin."

The collective has performed together since 2011. Butler and Simmons both hail from the Birmingham area-- Butler from the city of Birmingham and Simmons from neighboring Brighton.

Over the summer, they opened up for Nappy Roots. This past month, they opened up for New Orleans' rapper, Curren$y.

C1UB: A.M. falls in line with a list of Southern rappers who have incorporated activism and social and political commentary into their music, including Killer Mike, J. Cole, and Big K.R.I.T.

In 2016, Big K.R.I.T gave a passionate performance at the BET Hip Hop Awards. Dressed in a police uniform, the Mississippi rapper spat a fiery acapella version of his song "Might Not Be Okay," his direct address to the nation about police brutality.

Both Big K.R.I.T and his performance, says Brady, embody the Southern rap protest music of right now.

Southern rap has long been a vessel of social commentary. But at times, rap purists have hindered the regional movement's path to acceptance in the world of hip-hop.

The trio says that, even today, Southern rappers are subjected to stereotypes and ridicule.

Gathered outside with glasses of Good People's signature craft beers, the three artists fervently discuss the ways that some communities in hip-hop's culture still demonstrate a condescending attitude toward Southerners in the genre.

(from left) Ledarius Simmons, Chris Butler, and Isaac Brady of C1UB: A.M.

"In hip-hop, they call us Bamas," said Simmons. "Like, even if you aren't from Alabama, they stereotype us, due to our slang and due to politics."

"So, if you're from South Carolina on down, they call you a 'bama,' said Brady. "That's what people from the North call us," he said, shrugging. "That's not what we answer to."

"It's an old term too," Butler says of the insult.

"But, we're entering into a new age," says Simmons, acknowledging that attitudes among rap's current elite may be taking a turn from the values held by rap's gatekeepers.

"I think they're starting to realize. Like Andre (3000) said, what was it...10... 20 years ago? 'The South got something to say,' " said Simmons, quoting the Outkast rapper's famous words, delivered in front of an antagonistic audience during an acceptance speech at the 1995 Source Awards.

"Like... people think the South runs hip-hop. Really, we saturate it. They came and invaded our sound. It's like a parasite or some type of leech that's going on down here," Simmons says, his eyes squinting with disgust and frustration. "They're.."

Simmons trails off, and both Brady and Butler speak up, ready to utter the phrase on the trio's mind.

"Culture vultures!" they say in unison.

For C1UB A.M., Southern rap is a body of innovation. And the music industry, as they see it, are buzzards who erase regional barriers of rap in a ruse to siphon off the popularity of Southern rap's image, vernacular, and overall aesthetic.

It's a process that irritates them. In their eyes, people steal the "swag" and style of the South but, in the same breath, call the region and its people "backwards."

"It's a lot more than what's given to the masses," said Butler.

"We need to change the conversation."

The young artists at the show also think Alabama needs to do better by women and the LGBTQ community.

Significant movements in American history stem from Alabama women, including civil rights activist Coretta Scott King and equal pay activist Lilly Ledbetter.

Artist Sarah Caroline Padgett's exhibit, "Persist" pays homage to women around the world who have changed history.

Inspired by a quote from Canadian artist Rupi Kaur, illustrations of famous female activists and innovators hang on the wall. On the table below is a book of hand-stitched portraits of more women, including Alabama's own Rosa Parks.

Artist Sarah Caroline Padgett hand-stitched portraits of famous female innovators for her exhibit, Persist. "I just kind of went through history and found women that made an impact in femists history and just kind of an impact in general."

The Birmingham native says the state needs to provide more support for women who show up and do the work to move Alabama forward.

"Especially with black women being the backbone that took this vote. And it was good because the whole country was watching us to see what we'd do."

Kenzie Greer says that support needs to start with changing the way we talk about women. While her exhibit, "Bedroom Bodies" was a video series about women and body image, she says those conversations about women are still applicable when talking about issues such as consent.

"So many times, I feel like women are disregarded," said the activist and UAB senior.

"Women's voices are important." Activist and artist Kenzie Greer watches her video exhibit, "Bedroom Bodies."

"I think we have to actively put women first. I think we have to change the conversation," said Greer. "Change the way we speak about women. Change the way we teach our children about women. Change the way we teach male children about women."

Megan Yarchak says that hope might become more realistic as Alabama's millennial generation gets older. Her exhibit, "The American Dream," was a mixed media book comparing different generations in the state.

"I do believe our generation has a lot of power," said Yarchak of the state's millennials. There's more of us than anyone else. Our ideals are completely different than a lot of other generations. And we literally could skew a lot of elections."

There are numbers to back up her statement. Exit polls show that voters under 40 favored Doug Jones over Roy Moore. Political analysts in the state say younger voters tend to align themselves by cause instead of party, which may signal another shift in the state's politics.

Megan Yarchak's exhibit mixed-media work was a historical comparison of American ideals.

That matters, especially for young voters in the LGBTQ community.

UAB senior Madison Johnson stands in front of the colorful mural she designed with young students at the Magic City Acceptance Center in Birmingham, a community group that serves as a safe space for LGBTQ youth. The artists used acrylic paint to write inspirational messages on the canvas. Among the colors, one message stands out in yellow and purple paint: "Hope is gay culture."

The graphic design major says she had to drive an hour away to vote for Doug Jones, but it was worth it.

Candidate Roy Moore was well known for his inflammatory comments about homosexuality, such as calling it a "crime against nature."

UAB senior Madison Johnson with the mural she designed with youth from the Magic City Acceptance Center.

"I was hoping Doug Jones would win. For even kids like this," Johnson said, motioning to the mural. "I definitely would call this a celebratory piece."

So, how can Alabama do better by LGBTQ people? Adopt the ideals that this center has, says Johnson.

That's not a far reach in the city of Birmingham, who recently swore in new mayor Randall Woodfin. The city's youngest mayor in more than a century, he was a favorite among young people in the Magic City, especially artists.

"He has a rebellious spirit," said Simmons, nodding his head in approval.

Simmons recalls times when Woodfin would attend events with artists in the community when he was campaigning. One event, Bham Stands, stands out in his memory.

"He's showing his face," said Simmons."He's aware. He's consistent. And we, as the growing people of the city...the unheard voices. We resonate with that."

Tim Majors and his wife Criztel created Bham Stands, an organization devoted to connecting the citizens of Birmingham. "As Birmingham goes, so goes the nation," the famous quote from minister and civil rights activist Fred Shuttlesworth, is the project's mission statement.

Officially launched in August 2017, Bham Stands is a photographic depiction of unity in Birmingham. Setting up shop at rallies, community gatherings, and local businesses, the project invites people around the city to write what they "stand for" on a whiteboard. Bham Stands documents participants holding the boards in an ongoing photo series on its Instagram account.

"There are many good people fighting to make this a place for all," said Majors.

(from left) Chris Butler, Ottie James, Tim Majors, Eugenius Neutron, and No Suh Foster stand with a "Bham Stands" message.

He says the great need for change in Alabama sparked many of the groundbreaking achievements during the civil rights movement of the 1960s, which rippled throughout the nation.

"We have a troubled history, but that has only made us stronger, I believe."

Quite a few witnesses to that troubled history are still alive, a fact that Ledarius Simmons says makes Alabama unique.

"What we go through here... some of them pictures of the dogs biting. That happened a few blocks over," said the artist, pointing in the direction of Birmingham's Civil Rights Heritage Trail.

"Sixty, seventy years ago. We still have grandfathers that witnessed that. And the oppressor still has grandmothers and grandfathers who did that. So, our story is still in the making."

When some people lob criticism at Alabama, they seem to conveniently disregard the achievements that people made in the state, particularly during the civil rights movement. That fact visibly irritates Simmons, who says even people responsible for teaching history have a pattern of misrepresenting Alabama.

But what can never be discounted, adds the 26-year-old Brighton native, is Alabama's role in social change, and the contributions of black southerners from the civil rights movement to hip hop.

"There's no {more} potent trendsetter in the world than the African-American. So knowing that. And knowing that a lot of our steeze comes from Civil Rights issues. And a lot of that steeze comes back to the South. That a lot of that is embodied in the Dixie...which is Alabama. That says a lot."