Intervention 2 (Jesse)

                                                                                                                                                                                                   

 

             My intervention revolved around the environmentalist movement, more specifically climate change. I was inspired to do this protest after a discussion with my brother over what he was learning in primary school. At a 2nd grade level, he was beginning to learn how impactful people are on an individual level and how one's own actions can impact and influence many. At that moment, I felt that this would be a good teaching moment for him and thought I could use this as an opportunity to introduce him to performance art, peaceful protest, and help “bring attention to issues of injustice”(Memes Are Our Generation's Protest Art).

That afternoon I bought a pack of chalk and took him to our local park, where children were far and few in between (with social distancing and the like) and the lesson began. We talked about the environment as we walked through the grass and unto the walkway. We discussed the influence we have on the lives around us, on Earth, and on each other. Even if I was the “teacher” at this moment I wanted him to feel like he had control over the conversation. He asked questions about life, about family, about how climate change would affect him. It was basically a “why should I care?” conversation. I did my best to answer every question but there were a few that simply did not have the answer to.( Ex. Why don't we choose to go green all together? Why is everyone else taking so long?) These complicated dilemmas were used as fuel for our protest so I let him choose a location and we settled down to draw.

Together we drew the wildlife around us, and portraits of each other, and some environmental protests. We concentrated on our work while we spoke honestly; We were living in the moment. Our protest was wholesome and therapeutic, without violence or constraint and per CDC guidelines. It was much different than seeing a protest media online and sharing it. Our protest was small and intimate, it was shared with those who walked the park and happened upon it. By doing this together we combat the initial feelings of fear and discomfort of protest. Sharing our ideas in a peaceful way help us “reflect what’s happening in society, and helps justify feelings of rage and fear while helping us feel less alone.”(Memes Are Our Generation's Protest Art).