Newspapers / The Guilfordian (Greensboro, N.C.) / Sept. 26, 2014, edition 1 / Page 7
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. r I: t I > \ F EATU RE S SEPTEMBER 26, 2014 Drake discusses ‘Double Vision' at exhibition opening BY JULIET MAGOON Staff Writer On Sept. 18, Human Rights Photographer Todd Drake displayed his multimedia exhibition "Double Vision; Perspectives of Palestine" in the McMichael Atrium in Founders Hall. The multifaceted exhibit featured an enthralling array of photos, narratives and videos taken by students living in West Bank and East Jerusalem. Each image guides the viewer through a complex storyline, bringing to the surface the unsimg voices each photograph, while speaking on their individual stories. This prompted viewers to feel a strong sense of place as the narrative unfolded before their eyes and ears. As he spoke, listeners imderstood his genuine concern and sincerity. He cares about each in^vidual student he taught in these communities, and he takes it as his own responsibility to represent a culture that often goes unheard of. Drue's photographs were not merely images, they were glimpses into another life — a life filled with contradiction and irresolution, of Palestinian youth. Drake's exhibition enlightensDrake and the group approached a breathtaking viewers about many perplexing issues of huigii^^j^ogiSaph that he created with one of his students, m I « t I Jm. 1 ^ ^ A : _ ~ _ _ . _ _ I I * 1 I rights and sodal injustice in Palestine from two viewpoints. "(One perspective is) as a son of the American South, where a well-known black and white double vision still exists," said Drake. "And the other tire vision of young Palestinians who have grown up with a narrative I can never fully know." In 2013, Drake spent three weeks in these communities teaching photography workshops ; .Viewers were instantly mesmerized. The subject was a youthful, beautiful P^estinian woman holding a mineral stone from the groimd gingerly to her face. The photo was not only visually striking, it brought relevance to the connection between stones and Palestinian life. "The experiences that I had going to the Western Wall and the Christian sites, where (stone) was laid, made me feel like the stones were the sources of the 4^' r:; ’WSiiBi to students experiencing the constant grapple for stories of this region," said Drake. 'There are stones identity that exists in Palestine. everywhere (in Palestine) like there are pine trees The exhibit works in many moving parts. About everywhere in North Carolina, half of the photos are Drake's own work taken during "I challenged my students to use the stones to his stay in Palestine, and the others were taken by his tell their story, and she and I created this strikingly students exploring forms of artistic expression. beautiful portrait of her kissing a stone. I think that it "He is saying 'hey kids, here's some cameras, now sums up her and her people's feelings to a'T.'" tell your story,"' said senior art major Alejo Salcedo. Although many of Drake's photographs, taken by "He is looking in and interacting with their culture both himself and his students, often depict the beauty and giving his perspective, while they are sharing and love Palestinians feel for their region, many of their own stories." the pictures portray the strong juxtaposition of rest So, why does Drake aim his photography toward and unrest in the territory, storytelling and activism? Many student artists chose to remain anonymous "Research has shown that images and narratives due to safety concerns, are the way that we remember, so we remember stills, A few of Drake's most powerful personal not movie dips," said Drake. "We remember visuals, photographs representing the anguish in Palestine narratives and stories. What I am trying to do with were actually taken from moving cars. There was my work is address the dehumanizing practices simply no option to stop to take a photograph, and stereotypes in our worldwide culture with new Though Drake's vision of bringing consdousness to narratives and new images." the conflict in Palestine and Israel may be perplexing Drake feels as though Americans tend to struggle and at times dangerous, it tmveils limitless virtue, with the idea of balandng two cultures and his goal "For us to listen to the yoimg Palestinian's voices is to confront this idea. and to visualize their inner struggle and confusion "How do we balance two narratives?" asked allows us to view a raw and uncut truth," said senior Drake. "Just like when your eyes are out of focus and Hannah Schewel. "These are stories that you would you have double vision, you feel off-kilter." never see on the news. Stories of what is happening Drake guided the captivated group of onlookers to now, behind dosed doors." The two photos above arc 'iTvages taker by students wro p.arDcJp3ted ;nTodd Drake's pPotcg-tiphy workshops n Paiestine during 2013. i Bonner students find success in independent service sites BY NICOLE ZELNIKER Staff Writer From the Montagnard community in \^etnam to the refugee children in Greensboro, student initiatives have reached far and wide with aid from the Bonner Center. This year, four independent sites have already made a significant impad. The oldest site is the African Youth Initiative, which began about a year ago. "Itis a coalition of organizations... that come together to coordinate projects that benefit African youth," said project coordinator and Bonner Americorps member Bevelyn Ukah '10. "The main principle is that youth should be able to implement things that benefit their community." African Youth Initiative gives young Africans in America the ability to take charge of their futures. "People of the African diaspora are the experts of their own experiences," said Ul^. "With that said, it makes a lot more sense to gauge community problem solving through consulting with people who are experiencing them." The same principle applies to the Montagnard Research Team, led by project coordinators and members of the Montagnard community sophomore Hvung Ksor and junior Lek Siu. "This summer, Lek and I went back to Vietnam and did research about Montagnard health, mostly hypertension," said Ksor. "We interviewed the villagers about their diet family and lifestyle." As members of the Montagnard community, Ksor and Siu know what the people need. "They are not eating hedthy food," said Siu. 'They used to pick up the plants from the mountains, and now they use chemicals to fertilize their plants. When you eat chemicals, it can damage your health." Like Ksor and Siu, project coordinator and sophomore Jose Oliva runs Roads to College with the knowledge of what it is like to be a part of the refugee community. "Roads to College (is) a college access program," said Oliva. "We provide workshops and motivational talks to local high schools." Many sites, including Roads to College, collaborate with others to make a larger impact. "This year, we're trying to provide the same services to other Bonner sites, like Glen Haven and Elimu," said Oliva. Unlike the other independent projects, Guilford College Mental Health Outreach is run on Guilford's campus. "It's an informational site ^t provides accurate information about mental illness and what it means to have mental health issues," said project coordinator Shelby Smith, a senior. The goal this year is to get rid of the stigma surrounding mental health problems. "It's a (collection of) Hghly stigmatized medical condition(s)," said Smith. "I emphasize the word medical." There are many things Guilfordians can do to support these independent sites. "Guilford students could get involved in life skills," said Ksor. "We work with the Montagnard community, helping immigrants become citizens and trying to get a community center for the Montagnard" Project coordinators are willing to answer any questions, especially those about their sites. "Anybody is welcome to contact me if they want to get involved or talk about the issue," said Smitii. "I'm always willing to have an open ear."
The Guilfordian (Greensboro, N.C.)
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Sept. 26, 2014, edition 1
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