At the Intersection of Art and Social Justice
Social justice map by HSPLPS student Yomirla Oseguera
“My artwork features a map of Washington Heights masking a photo of a BLM protest, which portrays how important it is that we recognize our black community in our own neighborhoods. Our fight and our disappointment towards issues like redlining and the rate of homelessness in poor neighborhoods are far from over. The purple background represents the much desired and much deserved peace and serenity we are fighting for.”
Two CAW programs centered on issues of social justice amplify young voices
This spring, students at the High School of Law and Public Service (HSLPS) in Upper Manhattan, made art that addressed social justice issues that have a profound impact on their daily lives. Students in an integrated in-school program combined neighborhood maps and statistics to address issues of student homelessness, redlining, and the school-to-prison pipeline. HSLPS students in an after-school youth employment program created a short documentary film about the immigrant experience. The first program found beauty by using the visual representation of stunning data to craft powerful calls to action. The second program created a deeply moving and honest portrait of a first-generation immigrant in the NYC public school system.
Redlining poster by student Veronique Messanh
Beautiful Expressions of Painful Truths
Over 130 underclassmen participated in a CAW digital arts program called Design for Justice which centered on issues of systematic racism in housing, incarceration, and education. This program integrated with three different HSPLS classes — Intro to Law, Mock Trial, and Criminology. Through the examination of cartography combined with data, students explored de facto and de jure segregation, including redlining and eminent domain. For background information, students sampled readings from Richard Rothstein, the author of The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America, a book detailing the overtly racist housing practices of the federal government from the 1920’s to the present day.
Leading up to their final projects, Students learned fundamental skills of graphic design, such as color theory and composition, to help them craft effective messages. They also learned to use free online photo editing software to create seemingly abstract layers of digital art which, upon closer examination, combines maps of their own neighborhoods with current statistics and representative images. Finally, students added interpretive colors to their maps to project emotions and feelings of personal identity.
Scroll down to see more final projects from this program.
A Truthful Documentary
Students in this CAW six-week after-school employment program learned advanced techniques in documentary filmmaking, such as scripting, lighting, video and sound recording, editing and special effects. Youth Apprentices were paid directly by CAW, and Teaching Artist Melissa Rodriguez emphasized job skills throughout the program. A film is a highly collaborative endeavor, so apprentices were expected to be reliable and responsible team players.
Was It Worth It? is a six-minute short film that explores issues of opportunity and inclusion through the eyes of Natasha Baus, an Ecuadorian immigrant and HSLPS student. It is a thoughtful and hopeful film about a complex subject. Interviews with Mr. McCrea, Assistant Principal of Math, Science and Guidance, and Ms. Rakkou, Dean of Student Affairs and Community Outreach Coordinator, provide additional insights.
The entire crew is proud of their final film and are anxious to see it reach a wide audience. We hope you take a few minutes to enjoy this work!
Credits:
Directed by: Giavanna Rhem Reed & Veronique Messanh
Produced by: Maki Joseph & Aaliyah Reyes
Directors of Photography: Sadiel Ramirez & Sierra Addison
Sound Engineer: Fatoumata Barry
Editors: Aaliyah Reyes & Sadiel Ramirez
Narrator: Sierra Addison
CAW Teaching Artist: Melissa Rodriguez
To view this video with Spanish subtitle, click the Closed Caption box (CC) in the lower right corner.
Para ver este video con subtítulos en español, haga clic en el cuadro Subtítulos (CC) en la esquina inferior derecha.
Los jóvenes aprendices en un programa de empleo extracurricular de CAW aprendieron técnicas avanzadas en la realización de documentales. ¿Valió la pena? es un cortometraje de seis minutos que explora temas de oportunidad e inclusión a través de los ojos de Natasha Baus, una inmigrante ecuatoriana y estudiante de HSLPS.
A Gallery of Social Justice Maps
These Creative Art Works program are supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Immigrant Initiative in partnership with The City Council and Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez.