First Statement

What does it mean to develop a practice that challenges and critiques the systems that perpetuates dehumanization?
This question resides at the core of my practice and presents two other questions that represent conceptual outline that my work is built upon. The first is the exploration into what structures perpetuate dehumanization. The second question wrestles with the strategies and tactics that directly challenge and critique dehumanization while presenting alternatives.
Regarding the first half of this thought, I am currently exploring the constructs of dehumanization threw narrative. The focus on narrative comes from the idea that narrative plays an active role in constructing meaning and power. Or in other words narrative gives structure to the abstract, experiences, chaos, and traumas of daily life. These structures or narratives create meaning that are internalized or rejected based on individual’s previously internalized narratives.
From this framework strategies and tactics for challenging dehumanization becomes a battle of the story. This is a common fraise used in organizing. It refers to the way an event is articulated and messaged creates its meaning and cultural value. So to win a battle the story of the event must be one. This is where a creative practice can build of experiences to challenge the narratives of dehumanization and pose an alternative narrative of rehumanization.
Hence my practice attempts to explore narratives and rewrite narrative in an attempt to create a space where humanity can be conveyed.