On Saturday, November 9, West Philadelphia-based non-profit Spiral Q held its 24th annual Peoplehood Parade and Pageant. The event began at Paul Robeson House, where the Bearded Ladies Cabaret, a Philadelphia-based queer arts organization, held a performance before the parade made its way to Clark Park. The parade featured a variety of Philly-based groups, including Asian Americans United, Families for Ceasefire Philly, Ginger Arts Center, Neighborhood Bike Works, No Arena in Chinatown Solidarity, Philly Tenants Union, and Save the Meadows.
Preparation for Saturday’s event began several months ago, with brainstorming meetings in July. Bryn Mawr Junior Kenna “KP” Pettigrew interned at Spiral Q this summer through the Career & Civic Engagement Center’s Summer of Service program. They explained that art builds for Peoplehood began in early October, saying, “I would just jump in on whatever project they needed done, because in the parade a bunch of groups come together… it’s just a day of joy and collective liberation.” KP also praised the work of Spiral Q staff members– Co-Directors Jennifer Turnbull and Liza Goodell, Operations Associate Rachel O’Hanlon-Rodriguez, and Studio Manager Angela Heaps.
Before the pageant portion of the event began at around 3 PM, several Spiral Q staff members and volunteers gave speeches, uplifting onlookers. Kitty Heite, Chair of the Advisory Board, addressed the audience, saying, “Survival is not only possible, but inevitable. Thriving is not only possible, but inevitable.”
The performance focused on several key issues: Israel’s occupation of Palestine, the proposal of a 76ers arena that would seriously impact Chinatown residents and business owners, inadequate measures for bicycle safety in Philadelphia, and an increased police presence in Kensington. While the pageant’s focus ranged from local to global issues, it made clear that these struggles are intertwined and share a common enemy.
In this case, the common enemy were the “evil capitalists,” who stormed Palestinian territories, an intricate cardboard replica of Philadelphia Chinatown’s Friendship gate, a scene depicting a Philadelphia safe for cyclists, and cardboard depictions of Kensington homes. The “evil capitalists” were strengthened by large, multi-part machines– silver cardboard creations. Ultimately, however, the capitalists were defeated by children wielding large wrenches and paintbrushes, representing the tools that result from community organizing and solidarity.
The pageant relied heavily on audience participation as well, beginning with a protest song, composed by former intern Noah Slade. Audience members also read aloud the banners that helped narrate the pageant, and were welcomed to participate in a collective scream. Finally, the pageant concluded with the same song it began with, and onlookers were invited into the dog bowl to dance as a collective. Children and adults twirled and laughed as the sun shone through the trees, and Peoplehood concluded with a celebration of community, solidarity in the face of the difficult issues addressed by the parade and pageant.
