My first intervention is about our societal gender norms and the impact they have on us as we go through life, unaware or unwilling to change them. This illustration starts off with some stereotypical statements or thoughts that have been said to either sex. Telling young men or women that they should basically "act their gender", is in a way, putting them in a box when it comes to self-expression and their growth. Our nation has a past of wanting our men to be strong, emotionless, and we have encouraged them to find negative outlets for the built up emotions they've been coached to suppress. Women are put into the same box. With expectations to know how to cook and be prepared to bear children and submit to a husband for the rest of their lives. These are not all the stereotypes/expectations we have put upon our youth, and make no mistake, we have a long way to fully rectify this issue. We have to allow a change in the raising of our youth to occur while also attempting to tackle the preconceived notions that are already instilled in those who went through this and are now of age to be taught how to undo this.
I was inspired by Krzysztof Wodiczko and his Homeless Vehicle Project. He was able to take an issue that heavily impacts our society and come up with a message within a solution. At first I wanted todo a whiteboard activity to get people in my community talking about social issues like gender norms or their views on abortion rights, but with the lack of time on my hands I chose to improvise while still relaying a message that can start a conversation and be part of a solution.
There is no right or wrong answer to who you can be. You do not have to conform to any labels that our society tries to staple onto your life. The world is what you make it no matter if you're male, female, neither, or in between. I believe that is what we should be learning and going forward, teaching the next generation.
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