Holocaust study encourages discussion about what it means to be a responsible citizen.
The Respect Diversity Holocaust Art Education Project teaches students throughout the nation about tolerance, understanding, respect and how they each can make a difference. They learn history, poetry writing and principles of visual art.
The study of the Holocaust encourages discussion about what it means to be a responsible citizen.
First, Michael Korenblit, author of Until We Meet Again (ISBN# 0964712407), the true story of his parents who are Holocaust survivors, speaks to students about how the Holocaust relates to issues of today.
Then students explore diversity through the arts and are asked to collaborate on symbols of respect for diversity. Their symbols range from origami art collages to poetry anthologies to multi-media displays. They learn about the art of Marc Chagall and other Holocaust survivors as well as music and writings of survivors. In addition, they learn about rescuers who risked their lives to help others, including American Varian Fry.
For one of many projects, students from eight diverse schools worked together to complete their symbol of respect for diversity. Each student created their own unique mandala patterns that were added to a larger three-dimensional mixed media collage titled "Rising in Unity," designed by artist and teacher Vicky Longhoffer Jackson who explained, "The mandala is a perfect symbol since circles are universally perceived as symbolizing unity."
Hanging from "Rising in Unity" are dozens of colorful ribbons containing messages of understanding and respect in the form of haiku, like the following:
Humanity
We are all one race
Black, white, red, tan, yellow, brown
Color me human.
"Rising in Unity" is one of many traveling art pieces that, with a framed information sheet, is teaching the community about the importance of respect for diversity.
Find out more about Russian-born Jewish artist Marc Chagall and culture in the Third Reich by going to the online resources at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.
Joan Korenblit, executive director
Respect Diversity Foundation
Edmond, Okla.
