Thursday, April 4, 1968. My father was in our living room practicing his flute. Since the only other room in our home with a television was my parents’ bedroom, I decided to go in there to watch the latest episode of Ironside.
Suddenly the program was interrupted with a special report. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., leader of the civil rights movement, had been assassinated. I was rather young, and not familiar with this man. So I went into our living room and asked my dad if he knew of him. That was the moment I learned about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s incredible fight for racial equality.
“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.” ~ Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
This is one of my favorite quotes. I would like to think we have made progress toward achieving Dr. King’s dream. However, I believe we still have a ways to go. Unfortunately racial and religious inequality still exist.
I believe it is important for people to communicate with each other about their cultural and religious beliefs. By listening to one another, we can understand our similarities and learn to respect our differences. There are many wonderful ways to accomplish this, including through art.
On Monday, April 9th, the Jewish Community Relations Council and The Dayton Art Institute will present Peace by Piece: Art as a Catalyst for Social Justice, an evening with Israeli origami artist Miri Golan. Miri, along with representatives from the Muslim and Christian communities, will speak about using art as a way to connect with one another and promote social justice.
Miri is the founder and director of the Israeli Origami Center and founder of Folding Together, a program that brings together Israeli and Palestinian children through origami. The program encourages participants to break down the barriers of fear and develop mutual respect for one another.
I hope you join us for this inspiring event. You can find more information about the event by clicking here. Tickets are available for $20 per person, and include a panel discussion, self-guided tour of the exhibit Above the Fold: New Expressions in Origami and a dessert reception. You can RSVP by calling Karen Steiger at 937-610-1555.
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