Woolman Students are Artist-Activists

The Youth as Peacebuilders (YAP) Project is an assignment in the Global Issues class at Woolman. The assignment lasts through out the semester and starts with students choosing a world conflict that they feel passionately about changing. There are 2 major components to the project--the first is a 10-15 page paper where the youth research and analyze the conflict--paying very close attention to represent BOTH sides of the issue. They look at the contextual factors which have influenced the problem (gender, religion, economic, political, geographical), the structural causes, roots or institutions that encourage it and students also look into ally organizations which are working to help transform the conflict!

The second part of the YAP is where the teens choose an action which utilizes their best talents to make positive change for their issue! This is often begun at Woolman, but carried on after they return home.

Here are 2 wonderful examples of students that used their fabulous art skills to fundraise for issues they are passionate about:

Ben (Fall 09) wrote an amazing paper about the conflict in India between Monstanto and Indian Farmers. The paper was excellently researched and highlighted the unbalanced power dynamics between the two groups. His activism for the YAP was a most fashionalbe t-shirt (tagged) which he designed, printed, and sold for donations towards an institution which fights for policies which support farmers!

Katherine (Spring '10) became quite involved with indigenous peoples' rights for her YAP. Her completed paper was both informative and emotional in its description of a tribe in northern Columbia (the U'wa) and their non-violent battle against Occidental Petroleum Company. Katherine was inspired to use her keen drawing talents to create this charcoal portrait of an indigenous woman. She is currently selling raffle tickets for the drawing. The proceeds will go towards an organization fighting for indigenous rights (www.amazonwatch.com)!

These are just a couple of the powerful and creative acts of peacebuilding that Woolmanites were involved with this year:

Katherine and her portrait of an indigenous woman!

Here's Maria (in the center) sporting the latest in anti-oppression fashion :) This Sring semester student purchased one of Ben's shirts even though she had never met him. Sorry for the shirt getting cut off at the bottom, it says: No Farmers, No Food!

Ben in the Woolman garden :)