|
In my own search to heal from the pain of racism and the hurt of racial trauma, I attended a workshop on anti-racism artivism. Before the workshop, many of us thought that art belonged in galleries and in museums and that activism belonged to street protests and demonstrations. We did not immediately see how paintings, photographs, storytelling, or theatre workshops could help us talk about racism or how that could help us confront and undo racial trauma. We soon found out that artivism allowed us to creatively express the pain of racism and hurts of racial trauma we had long struggled to put into words.
When we were asked to create something about our experiences, most of us hesitated. Some painted doors that never opened, while others photographed empty streets that reminded them of loneliness. A few used colours to show both pain and hope. None of us were really trying to make perfect artworks. We were just trying to illustrate the emotions that had been very difficult to explain. As we shared what we had created, we began to see how much racism had influenced the way we viewed ourselves. Some spoke about questioning their Blackness. Others described the pressure of representing all Black people whenever they entered a room at school, workplace or in public spaces.
Though our experiences were all different, they somehow illustrated the same wounds. The workshop reflected that healing does not always begin with clear answers. Sometimes it starts with self-expression. Art gave us space to tell our stories without being interrupted, corrected, policed, or dismissed. It reminded us that our Blackness is not defined by the racially prejudiced views, but by our own creativity, life stories, resilience and culture. And when I left, I carried more than just the reflection my artwork, but also a deeper understanding of myself. I found a way to challenge racism, honour my Blackness and imagine healing not as something distant, but as a journey that I had to embark on. |
The content of terrampacis.org domain is controlled and managed by TERRAM PACIS based at Edvard Storms gate 2, 0166 Oslo. We value your privacy and the privacy of the information we collect from you when using our websites.
This privacy notice was updated on 10.02.2026. Therefore, if you decide to use our websites and the provided services, it implies that you agreed with this privacy notice. Otherwise, please do not use our websites and the provided services.
When we make new amendments to this privacy notice, the amended notice is posted hereon. Therefore, the continued use of our websites and provided services, implies that you agreed with the new amendments.
We particularly collect information from and about you when you: make a donation, register an account or register as a partner, and when you subscribe to our newsletter. To delete your own data, please go to Delete my account or unsubscribe from our newsletter.
We use cookies on this website. It is a piece of data stored on your hard drive to help us improve your access and your use of our websites' services. If you do not accept this, please do not use our websites and the provided services.
We use reasonable and up to date security methods to protect all the data we collect from you and held by us. However, on the Internet, we cannot guarantee information's absolute security.
Where reasonable we challenge any legal processes seeking access to any data collected from you and held by us. Though in some cases, we may be unable to resist such legal proceedings. In such events, you will immediately be notified.
This privacy notice outlines our information processing practices in relation to you and your personal data and applies when we collect and process personal data from you through our websites or mobile applications. As a user, you have the absolute rights on your personal data and you are free to ask us to update or delete your personal data at any time via info@terrampacis.org.
Published on 03.08.2026 at 13:45 
