“Home” Bader Qassas Collage

“Home” Bader Qassas’ CreativeRationale:

This is a flag representing and defending my country. It is for my people that are getting hurt in Palestine. If they were going to see my flag they would feel like someone is caring for them. I think my work shows meaning for and love for my country and also the purpose of my work is to tell the people that anyone's basic right is to live in their country peacefully. The Palestinian flag helps me feel both happy and proud. I chose to use my agency and voice using the flag of my country. I wanted to make it out of pictures of Palestinians fighting for their country and getting hurt for their country, but didn’t have enough time. Even though I am not physically protesting somewhere, my creation is a way for me to express how I feel for my country.

I think Civic responsibility means being actively participating in the life of a public community. Most people think the meaning of protesting is just to go and hold a poster or to just shout to make it look like you care. But, for me, protesting is doing all these things WHILE deep inside you is actually caring and wanting to protest--not being forced just so you can change your outside image in front of the people. Platforms that people can use to communicate with others can be active like in person with a microphone or social media by posting a picture and writing a comment on it. If someone disagrees with whatever you are saying it can be something you believe in or religion you can give them evidence, then listen and you can hear them and argue peacefully.

Creator: Bader Qassas Title of work: Home Media: paper and marker Issue/Theme: Home