Raiseyourvoiceexamining'sBlog

Please JOIN US! – and pass the info along to your friends and colleagues!

Bringing the Six Principles of Nonviolence as coalesced by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. into classrooms in Rhode Island, RAISE YOUR VOICE: Examining Culture, Clash, Community and Change has been training classroom teachers and facilitators in these six principles, working with students to explore and creatively interpret the philosophy, history, and culture of  nonviolence.  

Meant to engage the community and begin to form a network of practitioners of nonviolence; and to celebrate the hope and positive direction that comes with understanding the nonviolence principles, the afternoon activities will be interactive, educational and inspiring to all ages.  There will be light refreshments, exhibits of student work, and a chance for individuals living within our community to work together to raise their voices in support of a nonviolent, peaceful community.

The schedule will take place as follows:

1-1:15         Welcome

1:15-2:15    Spoken word artist Rudy Cabrera; Introduction to RAISE YOUR VOICE; student readings; nonviolence training; performances by Kalyana Champlain and guest artist, Chachi Carvalho.

2:30-4         Town Hall Meeting, moderated by Paul Bueno de Mesquita and Keith Morton – for practitioners of nonviolence (individuals and organizations touching on the principles of nonviolence in their own lives and work)

We look forward to meeting new colleagues, welcoming old friends, and working together to ensure we raise our voices in the cause of nonviolence.

Here’s to collaboration!

Dorothy Bocian and Risa Gilpin, Cultural Connections

March 25, 2011

Nonviolence means avoiding not only external physical violence but also internal violence of spirit. You not only refuse to shoot a man, but you refuse to hate him.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Andrew Sloan and student

Artist Andrew Sloan is working with Jackie Nelson’s technology class to create comic book style artwork, addressing the issue of cyber-bullying.  Students are exploring the Six Principles and using computer technology and self-expression to understand these principles.

Jackie Nelson looks at cyber-bullying titles

One of the first projects students worked on was to find images and words about Dr. King and bring them together on a printed page.

March 18, 2011

War is unthinkable in a society of autonomous people who have discovered the connectedness of all humanity, who are unafraid of alien ideas and alien cultures, who know that all revolutions begin within and that you cannot impose your brand of enlightenment on anyone else. Marilyn Ferguson

Kaly Champlain came to Compass School in Kingston, RI today to talk to Mark Robidoux’s afterschool Nonviolence/Peace Club (5th-8th graders).  She let the students know how writing helps us open doors and sets us free; how when we’re feeling pain (and all humans know their share of suffering) the pen is our best friend when dealing with that pain; and how self reflection gives us a daily check-in (“was I a good friend/person today?”).  There is responsibility implied with writing, so this club seems a good setting to do the research and then reflect from the soul.  Kaly explained the idea of keeping a writing “toolbox” – jotting down notes that will help put together coherent thoughts when creating poems about community and nonviolence.

It belongs to the very substance of nonviolence never to destroy or damage another person’s feeling of self worth, even an opponent’s. We all need, constantly, an advance of trust and affirmation.

Bernard Haring

March 18, 2011

Until the philosophy which holds one race superior and another inferior is finally and permanently discredited and abandoned –

That until there are no longer first-class and second-class citizens of any nation –

Until the colour of a man’s skin is of less significance than the colour of his eyes –

That until the basic human rights are equally guaranteed to all, without regard to race –

That until that day, the dream of lasting peace, world citizenship and the rule of international morality will remain but a fleeting illusion to be pursued, but never attained

But we know we shall win as we are confident in the victory of good over evil, of good over evil… Bob Marley

Valerie Tutson at Tollgate

Storyteller Valerie Tutson graced Tollgate High School in Warwick with stories of black history (Mum Bet) and greeting in the cause of nonviolence – I see you with my eyes, I see you with my heart, and I respect you.

Students at Tollgate are using photography, color imagining, and book making to collect their expressions on the Six Principles.  These will all be presented at a culminating forum, taking place at the Institute for the Study and Practice of Nonviolence, from 1-4 pm on April 30th – more to come!

Whatever you can do or dream you can do, begin it.  Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Goethe

March 11 – Spoken word artists Rudy Cabrera and Kalyana Champlain facilitated today’s session with Art teacher Patricia Huntington’s class at Tollgate High School today.  These “dynamic interactions” (and trust us, they were DYNAMIC!) have the bottom line objective of inspiring students to work on their own creative writing (poetry, prose, song) in response to these artists presentations and to the Six Principles of Nonviolence.

Rudy opened and, per usual, captured the immediate attention of all students present.  His powerful performance and significant words really motivated students to contribute their own voices in making positive change in their own community.

Kalyana followed with her own stunning contributions – bringing the concept of “nonviolence” into every day life and encouraging students to synthesize learning through the use of rich language, rhythm, visual imagery and creative renderings of words and ideas.  Both artists were surrounded by students as the period came to an end – every fiber seemed elevated – inspiration all around…

Dorothy and Pat Huntington

The starting point for a better world is the belief that it is possible.  Civilization begins in the imagination.  The wild dream is the first step to reality.  It is the direction-finder by which people locate higher goals and discern their highest selves. Norman Cousins

March 4, 2011

Book artist Mary Geisser came to Mark Robidoux’s after school club, based on the Six Principles of Nonviolence.  Mary brought a wonderful supply of paper and showed the students how to make accordion books with cardboard covers.  Students will use the books to put in their poems, words, essays and responses to the Principles of Nonviolence.

Dorothy and Risa were delighted to hear the enthusiastic responses of these engaged students (5th-8th graders), all interested in making a difference in the world.  The Compass School, is a charter school with a social and environmental responsibility mission.

Risa and Mark

Teacher Mark Robidoux participated in URI’s Center for Nonviolence and Peace Studies Summer Institute on the Teachings of Gandhi and King.  He is delighted to share the lessons of the Six Principles with his students.

Dorothy and Mark

Mary Geisser has focused her educational work in the realm of the arts  – she organized Pages of Possibility, an exhibition of children’s original books and artwork at AS220, 2010; India Point Park Mural Project; RI School for the Deaf art program; Wheels of Wonder Bus (RISD and Providence Public Library) – workshops throughout RI; and the Circle of Clay project at Hasbro Children’s Hospital.

Mary Geisser and an example of an "artist's book"

Nonviolence is not inaction. It is not discussion. It is not for the timid or weak… Nonviolence is hard work. It is the willingness to sacrifice. It is the patience to win. Cesar Chavez

February 15, 2011

Mark Robidoux’s students were in for a treat today!  Spoken word artist Rudy Cabrera (aka Rudacious) performed his and other poets work at The Compass School in Kingston, RI.  Rudy visited Compass, in order to recruit students for Mr. Robidoux’s RAISE YOUR VOICE after-school club.  7th and 8th grade classes convened listened to 4 poems performed.  One original work, “Baggy Jeans”, spoke of the symbol of wearing big pants in order to remember to fill them and make more of himself.

Nonviolence education goals for this club will be that:

1.  Students will understand that internal or external violence is not a way to solve a problem.

2.  Students will understand that by doing nothing in a violent situation (apathy and negative peace) they hurt themselves and others.

3.  Students will understand that they need to stand up for justice by using nonviolent action in order to create the Peaceful Community.

4.  Students will be able to process a conflict, and identify real issues.

5.  Students will be able to address the issues of the present, not the past, during a conflict

6.  Students will learn how to solve conflicts involving peers and school staff, using the Six Skills.

7.  Students will understand and follow the Principles of the Peaceful Community (Dr. King’s Six Principles) in all aspects of school life.

Students were, once again, riveted to Rudy’s performance.  The club  will begin this week, and 16 students have currently signed up.  Students will explore humanities aspects of the Six Principles and then write poetry and performance pieces and use illustration and exhibition to demonstrate creatively their learned knowledge of conflict levels and types and of reconciliation strategies.