‘Rhyme, Rhythm, and Resistance’ Review: A Multimedia Display of Female Art and Activism at the Schlesinger Library

“Rhyme, Rhythm, and Resistance” is both an ode to artists of the past and a nod to artists of today who have a common “disdain for the status quo.” Patrice Green, curator for African American and African Diasporic Collections at the Schlesinger Library, has melded the work of student movements, creatives, and activists with one central goal: to “take women’s words as seriously as their actions.” Ultimately, the show takes a nuanced look at not only what women say, but also what they feel and experience.

The multimedia exhibit features the work of influential female performers spanning Carla DeSantis, the Yeastie Girlz, June Jordan, Holly Near, Adrienne Kennedy, Pat Parker, Susan Griffin, and Radcliffe College’s own Adrienne Rich ’51.

Presenting these powerful figures together in a one-room gallery (excluding the small nook separated by a 70s-style beaded curtain) risks both oversimplification and oversaturation. Despite this, the show convincingly conveys a sense of community and interrelatedness among artists while differentiating between their individual interests and experiences. Bright red placards across the room introduce each performer and period, providing the viewer with some sense of direction as they engage with the miscellaneous poems, pamphlets, and posters littering the walls.

Still, making these distinctions may require backtracking, rereading, and double-checking while working through the flux of material. Some creations are physically separated from descriptions of their creator: Pat Parker’s influential poem “Don’t Let the Fascists Speak” is situated next to memorabilia of the Yeastie Girlz — a female-forward band from the late 80s — while the rest of her work is found in the next room over.

While some may get lost in the mix, the relevance of this exhibition’s content cannot get lost on viewers. Protests over American involvement in the Middle East, debates about free speech on college campuses, and cries for the protection of women’s reproductive rights are some of the many topics explored in this retrospective show. Ties to the present are made overt with the inclusion of contemporary work alongside dated pieces: Black Lives Always Matter (2022), a graphic novel written by Dr. Sheena C. Howard and featuring the contributions of over a dozen Black artists from Philadelphia, is displayed next to the work of singer-songwriter and anti-racism activist Holly Near.

In the middle of the main room, five large posters hang from the ceiling, containing poems highlighting female perspectives from the Schlesinger Library collections. One such work, “Que Bonita Bandera” by Ranito and the People of Puerto Rico, is written in Spanish, inviting discussion surrounding who these words are meant for and if “taking women’s words…seriously” requires complete understanding.

Indeed, a lack of complete understanding may be a common experience for some of the gallery’s audience. The show takes an intersectional approach to feminism, considering misogynoir — a term specific to the prejudice felt by Black women — along with misogyny. This guiding intent brings to light the experiences of marginalized women, which are often disregarded in the field of fine arts. Those who are unfamiliar with the hidden histories of women of color in the United States and beyond may leave with more questions than answers. However, to those who experience the interlocking forces of sexism and racism in their own lives, these topics will likely be nothing new.

Experiencing this ambitious show requires both learning and unlearning. It explores themes of bitterness, bigotry, identity, unrecognized labor, war, colonialism, freedom, fairness, and relationships. While much of the content is heavy, it is balanced with elements of beauty and humor and a bold permission for promiscuity (as seen in Parker’s poem “For Audre,” which starts, “Who is this bitch?”).

With such a diverse range of perspectives and voices highlighted, the installation explores the heterogeneity of what it means to be a woman: as a mother, a performer, a fighter, and — dare I say — a “bitch.”