Post 8 - Karla Villar

 The Art of Activism. Chapter 9. Utopia

Quotes

Pages. 338-339. “Utopia is an image of a world we would like to inhabit. It draws us into the future and says to us: this can be yours if we move forward together.”

Hopefulness is what, at the end, will make us go in the correct direction. However, this can’t be done just by one person but my multiple. As it knows, it just takes 3.5% of the population to make a change. Surprisingly such small number that can make big changes. At the end, the union makes the force!

Page 340. “Again, the problem isn’t that people don’t understand the problems that face us, but that they can’t imagine solutions—or, if they can, then how to bring those solutions about.”

I had encounter many people who are not affected by certain situations and have the privilege of speaking out against it but decide to don’t do it. I feel sometimes this is not only not knowing how to end this problematics from the root but also conformity and fear. Fear from what we, not only know from history but also what we still see day by day to other people all around the globe. However, as I say, if somebody has the capacity to speak out about some problematic that, is either happening to them or not, but decide to cross their arm and be quiet. Sometimes that silence is not fear and/or confusion, but can be in occasions conformity as people feel “they are not in such a bad stop” so far, so there is no need for a change.

Final performance Idea:

Wet contents

A suitcase with a yellow tape around it. The tape has the words "wet contents" in black bold letters. The performer will open it and start taking out the objects inside it. Between personal objects such as clothes, crafts, and objects that show accomplishments (medals, certificates, etc), there will be documents which would look wet and will be modified to avoid showing the face of the owners or any data of them. This will be called "wet ID". Showing the perspective of an undocumented person, by showing their personal objects and the very few identification they can get, and still not be enough and be a reminder for them of their status.