We all can answer this, but for some kids (and teenagers and even adults) it’s a hard question to think about, let alone provide an answer. Because for some, who they are has already been decided based on the color of their skin, stereotypes, prejudices, and misguided opinions.
Through our check in presentation, I felt we solidified what we wanted to do, (mainly the half-baked ideas and blurbs we all wanted were starting to make sense and a full baked idea was forming) and with the feedback that we got, it made it even more clear. We want to give children the power to be able to decide, discover, and build their own identity. We honed in on that portion of a very large issue to tackle because if you have a strong sense of who you are, no matter what anyone or anything says about you, you won’t have self doubt or you’ll have a strong enough foundation to question why or speak up against the wrong. (or at least that’s what we hope for)
We also want to take it a step further (or at least I do, but I’m not sure how it can get incorporated) where children develop a strong..I mean critical sense of what gets portrayed through the media about everything, especially since there are more and more cell phone, dash cams, and unedited (along with bias edited) media put out for everyone to experience. The purpose for these videos and images are to show people what’s happening as well to get a shock response or a very emotional one, where you act first and think later. I don’t think that’s beneficial for anyone because with the emotion(hate and anger) you’re playing into stereotypes and if you can break down these media clips and images into what they truly are you can act in accordance. And for children I think that means get a better understanding of yourself and others. As well as coming up with ways to break away from the anger and hate.
So, how do we create an exhibit that gives you the tools to self-invent yourself?