Popular Art at Oklahoma City Memorial
an article by David Adams

On a chain link fence next to the memorial for the Oklahoma City bombing, people have hung their mementos. It has become a work of popular art and an expression of sympathy for the 168 who died here.

Mementos of all kinds hang on the fence: silk flowers, photos of the deceased, necklaces and bracelets, poems, t-shirts and automobile license plates with autographs and remarks like "I remember" and "Never forget", stickers of flags, trade union logos, military units, one for POW-MIAs, barrettes, key chains, a peace button saying "let us take the risks of peace upon our selves, not impose the risks of war upon the world."

I have seen such a fence with an outpouring of mementos another time, around the site of the ruins of the World Trade Center in New York, although that one has since been removed.

On the wall of the building opposite the Memorial the following graffitti has been left for visitors to read: "Team 5, 4-19-95, We search for the truth. We seek justice. The courts require it. The victims cry for it. And God demands it!"

People come to the Memorial from all over the world looking for some closure to the bombing, looking for truth and justice. Many leave a personal memento on the fence. I left a card for CPNN.

DISCUSSION

Question(s) related to this article:

Can popular art help us in the quest for truth and justice?


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THE ARTS AND A CULTURE OF PEACE

LATEST READER COMMENT:

CPNN has received the following message from Marcel in Africa:

My name is Marcel Niyungi Bin Yungi, I am an artist peacemaker based in Nairobi, in Kenya. I use comics to promote a culture of peace. Some of my works can be found online at www.peace.ca/marcelscomicstrips.htm.  Currently, I am publishing a bimonthly comic series for young people entitled "The Adventures of Kialu for Peace" (please find below a brief summary and attached an advert).

I am writing to inquire about CPNN and would like to be part of it.

I thank you in advance for your cooperation and look forward to hearing from you.

ABOUT THE ADVENTURES OF KIALU FOR PEACE

1.INTRODUCTION

 When we listen to the news, read the newspapers... a day doesn't pass without violence or a threat of violence. Our daily life is full of fear of harm; violencwe has escalated, it is everywhere: at home, at work places, at schools, on the streets,etc in every continent.

 The solution to bring about and maintain a peaceful world lies in our hands, in our willingness and commitment to do what is good and peaceful to ourselves, to others and to the environment.

 The Adventures of Kialu for Peace are a non-commercial, apolitical bi-monthly comic series, published by Jipa Moyo COMICS (jipa moyo is Kiswahili for take courage),whose objective is to promote a culture of peace.
  
 2.TARGET GROUP:   Young people.
  
 3.THE COMIC SERIES

 The Adventures of Kialu for peace are an ongoing serial publication.. . ...more.

This report was posted on April 7, 2004. The moderator is Joanne.

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