After looking at all the answers closely, Art Buddies found these eight categories. Like a nautilus shell, we indefinitely unravel from tight places of injustice opening up into rage and discomfort, continuing with action, and remaking, and expanding into creation and Love/Right relationships. We felt this cycle is not only cyclical, but it's also a spiral opening to infinity.
Over the next few weeks, participants will be exploring further what images could represent this path of transformation.
Below each category you can find the themes that participants articulated.
Injustice
homelessness
Racial inequality
systemic racism
Homophobia
health crisis among migrant workers and BIPOC
Social class
Trans Lives
Black Lives
Mental Health.. stigma
Racism in Guelph and the violence committed by its largely white community
Police brutality
Rage
Systemic Racism
Racism
Black Lives Matter. White supremacy & colonialist systems & structures must be dismantled.
Covert racism and how it effects the sense of community in Guelph/How do POC's navigate through a predominately white town during times of social injustice and unrest
Injustice that is acknowledged, but not followed through consistent action (ex: the class divide, homelessness, racial injustice etc.)
Police brutality
How COVID-19 disproportionately affects marginalised people
Environmental exploitation goes hand in hand with degradation of humanity
Discomfort
Befriending body and emotion
Changing your opinions based on new information, especially when the information is coming from someone who has more direct experience with it than you
Keeping an open mind, and being willing to think subjects you feel uncomfortable with in order to grow as a person
The uncertainty of the future is extremely draining but sometimes exciting and can be motivating
Racism
Humans are not necessary for Mother Earth to heal herself. She is sustainable on her own. It is us who need Her.
Mental Health Issues
Importance of learning to play in whatever way you know how.
Shoot I answered this above lol. Ok- first Integrity, (without it nothing works- be it addressing racism, homo/trans phobia, ableism, etc)
Voice
disability advocacy
Decreasing mental health stigma
Importance of voicing discrimination and violence
My culture (Pakistan)
Emotional Intelligence/empathy have as much value (or more) as intellectual intelligence
Elevating voices of black people and their experiences
Gender Equality
I would talk about equality for all
I would talk about stress and anxiety in youth
Current Events/Movements (Pride Month, BLM, etc.)
Benefits that art play in communicating.
Humans are an imbalanced species out of sync with nature
Action
Anti-Oppression
equal access to basic food, shelter and income
increasing mental health support
Social justice/disability justice
The importance of listening
How to practice sense of Community through social distance
Defunding the Police
More funding towards mental health initiatives, less towards police - creating an example to the world that police should not be attending wellness checks alone, if at all. Social workers and crisis support teams should be.
Taking direct action instead of just 'talking the talk'
Use of art/doodles as a tool for non violent communications.
Access your humanity, find balance in small ways hopefully leading to balance in greater rings of connection (home, community, nature, politics, social justice, etc)
Equal access to food, shelter, water
Everyone needs a basic income
Everyone gets equal opportunities to resources
Equal access to resources and services
Racism and sensitivity training for officers
Remaking
Knowledge sharing
Reforming the bad things in the world
Love
We should aspire to be so much more than just nice. "Nice" people can be complicit in harmful things.
The world can feel chaotic right now, but organization and support through community can radically change systems that have long been in place and have not served the people.
Mental wellbeing and support
Resiliency
Schools such as St. John Bosco deserve more funding. Alternative learning settings for students who've experienced homelessness, abuse, mental illness, bullying, or who are neurodivergent, deserve a place to learn just as much as other teenagers.
I would talk about how art is real work and if you have a passion for it then you would be able to make a life out of it.
Everyone is included
Creation
mental health
Being in relation with difference.
Expression of self and imagining other possible worlds through art.
Co-creating transformative justice
Hope
the importance of making sure that every one in a community is well represented and heard.
Equality
Community/connection
Active ongoing cocreation of peace
Support
building healing & honouring relationships with all creation
Environmental justice
How can we face discomfort, together?
I think it is important for people to stay safe in Guelph
Homes for everyone
Lots of green spaces
Love/Right Relations
Empathy
Environmental Stewardship
Thoughtfulness ,kindness and respect
Faith
Empathy
Self compassion
Water is life
Creation/Creator is still creating
Please be kind to one another.
Human rights and justice
Being unique
Lowering expectations of yourself
Self-care (responsibility & respecting boundaries)
We have one life to live , live like a civilized person
People are connected and helping one another
People are participating together