Coexistence Starts With Respect

This post is also available in audio form:

Coexistence is a fashion editorial that I shot for the cover of C-Femme Magazine back in 2015. The inspiration behind the shoot came from the question: how can we exist in harmony despite our different ideologies? The fashion story depicts the clash between cultures, in this case, humans vs out of space visitors, trying to find commonalities in spite of their differences. Back in July 2020, Chantal Miller and I discussed the idea of Coexistence and the steps that we need to take in order to live in peace within our communities. You can listen to the conversation on the audio version of this post or in your favourite podcast platform.

Chantal Olivia Miller is the founder of Island Girls Rock, a platform that champions women of Caribbean descent in the UK. She is also a producer/presenter (radio and podcasts), she runs digital storytelling workshops and curates exhibitions and panel discussions exploring Caribbean representation in mainstream media.

I shot this editorial at the end of 2015, a year that felt to me like the beginning of the wave of extremism that we have been living over the past few years. During 2015, Daesh radicalisation cost the lives of so many. Also, the attacks towards Turkish people in Ankara, French people with both Charlie Hebdo and the Paris attacks, and people in the US with the Charleston church and the San Bernardino shootings dominated the media.

Freddie Gray was killed in police custody in Baltimore and the case against his killers concluded with zero convictions against any officers. As if that weren’t enough, Trump entered the race for president of the US. And, to top it all, the refugee crisis of people feeling Syria sparked new waves of xenophobia that resulted in the success of movements in Europe like the Brexit campaign.

At the end of the discussion, Chantal and I agreed that the case for coexistence starts with respect. Equality doesn’t mean sameness. It means respecting our differences. We must acknowledge that we are different, but we must make the effort to find the commonalities that will bring us together as a community.

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Notes On Finding Common Ground

Thanks to everyone who made it last Saturday to create community with us! Art Sense Studio, Skaped and I ran a workshop in which we explored what it means to belong to a community in the present social, political climate. We guided participants to work and reflect on themes like displacement and a sense of belonging. This workshop was an invitation to delve into our commonalities and expand on what kind of relationships we have been building up with the communities around us.

The workshop consisted of a variety of group dynamics and short exercises in which we intended to instigate people to think about the way social issues impact our lives and communities. Participants said that the exercises were thought-provoking, they sparked deep discussions, and they taught them to focus more on our commonalities and less on our differences.

This workshop was the first part of a bigger project that I will be working on in 2020, where I will explore through photography what it feels like to live in London in this ever-changing social, political and economic landscape. Thanks to Art Sense Studio and Skaped for this beautiful collaboration and here is hoping for many more in the future!

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About Art Sense Studio

London-based social enterprise that delivers group sessions facilitated by experienced mediators specialised in community and participatory art interventions and programmes.

Participants and member of groups are supported in taking creative risks and in discovering the benefits of art as therapy.

We empower residents and their communities by providing opportunities for them to develop their artistic projects, and we support them along the way.

We have been delivering talks, one to ones, tutorials, seminars and wellness/CSR projects. We are also experienced in designing and providing programmes for individuals with lived experiences of mental health issues.

About Skaped

Skaped raises awareness of human rights issues and challenges as a way to inspire people to become actively engaged in social and political matters around the world, as well as at their doorstep.

Their mission is to work with people, and for them to take ownership of their human rights and provide a platform in which they develop confidence to realise their power and gives them a voice. They do this through creative arts workshops that use storytelling, film-making, and performance, to widen people's understanding and respect of human rights.

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Finding Common Ground

This coming Saturday, November 2, 2019, I will be running a free workshop in collaboration with Art Sense Studio and Skaped in which we will explore what it means to belong to a community in the present social, political climate. We will guide participants to work and reflect on themes like displacement and a sense of belonging. This workshop is an invitation to delve into our commonalities. Join us and expand on what kind of relationships you have been building up with the communities around you.

Are you someone actively involved in your community? Do you identify as a community leader? Would you like to understand your level of engagement with your community? Are you involved in promoting well-being for your community? Are you interested in exploring displacement in community settings? Do you consider yourself as a change-maker in your community?

If any of these questions sounds like you, sign up for free on https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/finding-common-ground-tickets-37069860952

We aim to provide a welcoming space to explore these themes in an honest, friendly and supportive way. Lunch and refreshments will be provided.

See you there!

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