PROJECT NIA NEWS

July 31, 2014

Community-Building & Peace Making...

Things have not slowed down even a little this summer. We continue to work with our partners on various initiatives.

Last Saturday, we partnered with our friends at Free Write Jail Arts & Literacy Program to screen a new documentary called 15 to Life: Kenneth's Story at the Hull House Museum.

This was followed by a visit to the annual exhibition of student work curated by Free Write at the Chicago Art Department gallery. There, we sat in a peace circle facilitated by Lookman Mohammed, a leader of Circles & Ciphers. It was a powerful afternoon of community-building and discussion.

The July 18 'No Selves to Defend' exhibition opening reception was a huge success with over 200 people in attendance (more below).

Finally, our summer fundraiser continues. Please consider making a donation in any amount to support our work. You can donate HERE.

In peace,

Mariame Kaba
Director, Project NIA

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In This Issue

Call for Submissions: The Meaning(s) of Chiraq

Send us your thoughts and ideas in 100 words or less or as an image

by Anderson Chaves

In 2009, rapper King Louie coined the terms "Chiraq" and "Drillinois." Since then, the term "Chiraq" has appeared in the lyrics of rappers like Lil' Reese, Chief Keef, and most recently Nicki Minaj. The term has found its way on t-shirts and other merchandise. There have also been at least two documentaries titled "Chiraq" to describe violence in Chicago. Recently, there's been pushback with some expressing their displeasure with the term through social media hashtags like #antichiraq.

Yet throughout the public conversations, it is still unclear if and/or what meaning(s) the term "Chiraq" holds for the majority of Chicagoans.

This project is an invitation for Chicagoans of all ages to contribute to a small book (published by Temporary Services) and online exhibition about the meaning(s) of Chiraq.

Read the call for submission HERE and we hope that you will participate. We are collaborating with our friends at Temporary Services this Fall to create a publication based on the submissions received.

WE CHARGE GENOCIDE: Youth Hearing on Police Violence

On Saturday, August 2 the We Charge Genocide working committee will launch their project in Chicago by hosting a youth hearing on police violence at Roosevelt University. From 1 to 2 PM, Chicago's youth will put the system of police violence on trial, breaking their silence to confront the targeted repression, harassment and brutality disproportionately faced by low-income people and young people of color.

Youth aged 25 and under are invited to share their experiences. Personal and community stories of police violence will be told, such as the recent incident where a young man named Damo was tased by the police, hit his head, and later died.

After the hearing on Saturday, from 2 to 5 PM, performances, workshops and networking sessions will be held, focused on how instances of police violence reveal the underlying relationship between marginalized communities and the state -- a relationship of unequal access to power and resources, where violence is too often used by the police.

We Charge Genocide is a grassroots, intergenerational effort to center the voices and experiences of the young people most targeted by police violence in Chicago. The name "We Charge Genocide" comes from a petition filed to the United Nations in 1951, which documented 153 racial killings and other human rights abuses committed mostly by the police.

RSVP on Facebook or by email at jjinjustice1@gmail.com.

NO SELVES TO DEFEND - OPENING RECEPTION WAS A SUCCESS!

Over 200 people packed, Art in These Times on Friday July 18th to catch their first glimpse of the "No Selves to Defend" exhibition co-curated by Mariame Kaba and Rachel Caidor.

Read about the opening reception and exhibition here. The exhibition will run at Art In These Times until September 21st. Please do feel free to visit Mondays-Fridays 10 to 4:30 pm. If interested in visiting on Saturday or with a group for a tour, contact Mariame at projectnia@hotmail.com.

poster by Billie Dee

Preview of the Fall

We are planning several events and will be catalyzing a new initiative to support incarcerated youth in the coming weeks. Stay tuned for more information and details. We invite you to follow us on Facebook in particular to stay informed about upcoming opportunities to connect with our work.

Upcoming Events

We and our allies across Chicago are hosting a number of upcoming events. Check them out HERE. We hope to see you at some of these events.

PLEASE SUPPORT OUR WORK:

You can contribute to our summer online fundraiser HERE.

STAY CONNECTED