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https://theconversation.com/how-rohingya-activists-are-using-art-food-and-storytelling-as-a-form-of-resistance-237328>
"Rohingya activists, advocates and health organisations in Australia have been
frustrated by the lack of support provided to displaced Rohingya people.
This ethnic minority group called Myanmar home for centuries before being made
stateless by the government in 1982, persecuted due to both their race and
majority Muslim religion.
While a few hundred Rohingya refugees have resettled in Australia since 2008,
at least a million continue to live in desperate circumstances in the world’s
largest refugee camp: Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. There are many horrifying
stories of displaced Rohingya facing physical and sexual violence and dire
health conditions.
In August, the Refugee Council of Australia council called on the government to
remain steadfast on its 2023 pledge to increase resettlement places and provide
aid to those still living in camps, but we’ve yet to see substantive action.
As such, local advocates are turning to more creative ways to raise awareness,
such as hosting events focused on Rohingya art, culture and resistance. These
projects help strengthen local Rohingya communities, while educating the
public.
For my research, I’ve investigated how activist groups use creativity and
pleasure to encourage broader participation in their efforts.
This work led me to local Rohingya community members and their allies at the
Creative Advocacy Partnership, (cofounded by four Australians with Rohingya
community leaders). They told me traditional advocacy could increase feelings
of oppression and “othering”.
Through interviews with them, I found creative advocacy projects can serve
several empowering purposes, including preserving culture (and elevating
culture over suffering), honouring ancestors and balancing power dynamics
between aid workers and displaced people."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
