Brother, Can You Spare a Gun?

Some time ago, I wrote about a graphic designer from Jenkintown, Frank Baseman, who created a moving anti-violence poster, and who was working with the Anti-Violence Partnership of Philadelphia to raise funds to put the posters up around the City, see City In Need of Brotherly Love. His effort was the subject of a column by Monica Yant Kinney, Needed: Sponsor for a message of peace, in early July.

Kinney recently did a follow up story about Baseman's worthy cause, A display too lurid for Murder City?, recalling:

Baseman, 48, was inspired to do his part with art after reading one too many "city man killed" stories.

The graphic designer, who teaches at Philadelphia University, envisioned a paper version of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Instead of war casualties, his poster honors the 406 homicide victims of 2006.

The names of the dead scroll across a blood-red canvas, between a question ("City of Brotherly Love?") and a command ("Stop the Violence!").

As the focal point, Baseman positioned an intentionally "menacing" 9mm brought to the photo shoot by a homicide detective.

"I wanted a gun bad guys would use," he said. "At 4-foot-by-6-foot, that gun is going to be huge."

And the result?

Inquirer readers agreed with Baseman, donating money and printing services to the Anti-Violence Partnership of Philadelphia to produce small and large versions of the poster and pay installation fees.

* * * *

Supporters donated enough to hang four posters for one month.

That would be good news except for one problem -- city officials nixed his paid public announcement. As Kinney noted:

But even I was surprised by the decision to censor a pacifist who donated his time - and inspired others to give money - to get people thinking, not shooting.

Especially since there are two similar campaigns gracing storefronts and SEPTA buses right now.

One ad targeting illegal weapons features a little girl, a gun, and a price tag. In the Mayor Street-endorsed "Put It Down" campaign, a gun pierces a red heart splattering black blood.

Why is Baseman's poster any more alarming than that, I asked city Public Property Commissioner Joan Schlotterbeck.

Because she said so.

One of the campaign's she mentioned was introduced with much pomp & circumstance by the Street Administration, see Street: 'Brother, You've Got To Put It Down'. A Press Release from the City states:

Mayor John F. Street today joined a large crowd of community-based leaders at City Hall to unveil a new Summer anti-violence campaign aimed at reaching young people in neighborhood settings with non-traditional messages intended to reduce and prevent violence.

The new non-traditional campaign, “PUT IT DOWN,” was designed by a group of music and entertainment industry promoters who approached Street Administration officials and offered their time, energy and ideas to design an initiative intended to reach youths in neighborhood settings with messages that youths may be willing to hear.

The PUT IT DOWN campaign is being supported by media organizations as well, including Clear Channel Entertainment and Radio One, which plan to air anti-violence messages and public service announcements throughout the Summer months.

I am all in favor of as many campaigns -- and other efforts -- as possible to try to quell the violence that is decimating some sections of Philadelphia. Yet, why would this endeavor not be a welcome addition? There are times that "less is more," but when dealing with the epidemic of violence we are confronted with in the City, this is not one of them. More, much more should be the order of the day.

Somehow, my cynical self says there might be a bit more to this rejection. Politics and cronyism come to mind. After all, this is the Street Administration (a reverse mirror echo of the Bush Administration, with the Democrats "in charge" of Philly). Rather than support an effort like Baseman's -- without cost to the City -- I just can't dissuade myself of the belief that some of those involved in the other programs are directly or indirectly benefiting from the city sponsored effort.

For example, shortly after this campaign was launched, Clear Channel, one of the media organizations involved in promoting the "Put It Down" campaign, received the OK to start using digital billboards, Digital billboards to debut in city. Related? Who can say (other than those who sure wouldn't tell)? However, the new flashing billboards are controversial, especially by city anti-blight groups, but the city endorsed the new technology, interpreting the zoning code in a manner to permit the digital billboards.

True or not, I hope that Baseman is able to get his word out. His admirable contribution should not be rebuffed, but rewarded.

After all, with 4 more killings (2 by guns) in the City just yesterday, bringing the toll to 277 to date -- we need to do whatever we can to stop the violence.

Tags: Philadelphia, Philly