I can’t believe it has already been a year since my first ‘Creative Protest’ blog. I thought as we come to the end of this series it was worth taking a moment to reflect on what my year protesting creatively has looked like, and what has stood out to me. At first, I thought this would be a quick task, but looking back at the year and all the many different forms of protest we have looked at, I feel this may be a more difficult task than initially expected…
First a quick summary of the forms of protest we have looked at:
And even then, there are LOADS more we could explore like food, tattoos, spectacles, embroidery, painting… I probably will add to the collection!
What I have found the most inspiring and uplifting in all of these, is not so much that different forms of protest exist, but that people around the world are so passionate about driving change, that we are constantly re-defining what ‘protest’ looks like. I am drawn to the idea of the ‘Positive Protest’ anthology when reflecting here too. Not only are the different forms of creative protest inspiring in the way they use creativity to champion change, but also in how important they are in sharing stories. I have found that when I am in a slump with protesting, and feel like change is near impossible to achieve, that reading the stories of others, and finding a community in building change is what motivates me to continue.
After recent events with the racist riots which took place across the UK, I found that sharing the positive stories, was not just important to boost morale, but to show a different perspective and stand in solidarity with those affected. One story which stood out for me was the work of the Imam of Abdullah Quilliam Mosque in Liverpool. Adam Kelwick had heard of the riots going on outside his mosque, as far-right protesters gathered. They were met with a larger counter protest of people who were there to defend the mosque. As the events of the evening continued to unfold, Adam began giving out food not just to the counter protestors, but to the far-right too. He engaged in conversation and invited them to events at the mosque to continue discussions and understanding of each other. He had this to say in an interview which followed: “everyone's just sat in their own corner throwing stones at the other side and demonising the other side. What I wanted to do… was go over and talk, not just talk but listen to them as well… the whole protest was diffused, and we built some bridges.” There is something in sharing food which brings people together, and always will. In my opinion eating is a wonderful form of protest. We can begin to understand each other more and more in the one common thing we all take part in. Not only that, when food is cooked, bought, prepared there is a care in the time we take for each other. The act of the Imam inviting people for more food and discussions is the best way to build an understanding of each other, and it is one I will continue to do. When I am feeling like change is hard to reach, I will think of this story, that even if the world hasn’t been changed, at least one person’s mind has. And that’s enough for me to keep on trying!
I can also say without a doubt that looking at the new ways of protesting has been helpful in empowering myself (and hopefully a couple of others) to look at how we live out life in a protest-y way; how we live out our faith in action. If going on marches is not your thing, I found this series helpful in broadening my own knowledge of what protest can look like. We don’t need to be chained to fences, marching down the streets with banners, we can be crocheting hearts, emailing MPs, origami-ing messages to Home Secretaries… There is not just one way to get your voice heard!
And that brings me nicely onto one of my favourite campaigns from last year. Not only did we learn about origami as protest, but we also did some as a campaign to stand in solidarity for refugees, something which has become increasingly more important with the riots which occurred recently. Together we sent over 150 origami boats to the Home Office to encourage welcome and humanity when working with refugees. I was never very good at origami, I think I lacked the patience for it. However, when there was a purpose for it, I became a paper-folding machine! I fell in love with it. I am still not really very good at it, but I certainly appreciate it more, and appreciate those who are good at it more! We eventually got a response from James Cleverly who was the Home Secretary at the time, and although, we were pleased to get a response, it was littered with untruths and needed unpicking more- a fact checker! Another great protest tool I have found throughout this year is education and knowledge. Being able to know when you are being lied to, and where to find information for me is one of the most effective forms of protest. Knowledge is power, or so I’ve heard…
So, although these blogs will become a little less regular, I will still be adding ideas of creative protest that have inspired me. I will continue to be protesting creatively and using the arts to change the world. I will still be looking at how we protest creatively, I will still be learning more and as I do sharing with you and others. Most importantly I will continue to celebrate the small victories on the road to changing the world! For me the creativity in protesting is how we truly make a difference, and importantly do so memorably and peacefully. So, whether it’s folding paper, sharing food, listening to music, seeing a show or writing a poem, I hope you will be inspired to protest creatively.