Andrea Liu, THAW
Jonny America, Greene Dragon
Max Uhlenbeck, Left Turn Magazine

It is rarely addressed in the activist world how difficult it is to survive as an activist, an occupation not acknowledged by mainstream society as a profession. On the other hand, purists wear their culturally and economically marginalized status as a badge of honor. How does the world of activism negotiate the paradox of having to survive in a world that it devotes its resources, worldview and energy to dismantling? Is there an inherent tension between the fact that activism is fighting to make a world more just and moral, but houses the (career or life) ambitions of the people within it? Has activism, and especially the unprecedented New York City renaissance of arts activism, turned into yet another rat race for press and putting on the most famous events? Is arts-activism just something people do at the beginning of their career trajectory while biding time before getting a real job or writing their own play? Can you blame them for abandoning activism when activist organizations cannot provide health care or basic services of their members or employees?

The discussion will be facilitated by Andrea Liu, a modern dancer, freelance writer, and activist in New York City.