We Are In Good Hands!
Nigerian writer Chimamanda Adichie says that “having a single story about a certain group makes our recognition of our equal humanity difficult. It emphasizes how we are different and not how we are similar.” So she invites her audience to be sure they have more than one story of any culture in order to see it more clearly.
The Eyes Closed Project works towards this goal. It broadens the range of stories heard from Anchorage’s population.
While developing the Eyes Closed Project, we interviewed nearly 70 Anchorage children from different ethnic origins and religions. We asked them about their heritage, dreams, and aspirations. The children’s answers were always powerful.
Nineteen of these stories were featured in large-format panels that can be viewed outside of the Anchorage Museum, in front of the Loussac Library, in the parking lot of the Mountain View Library, and in Peratrovich Park.
Anchorage is known as a diverse city. With these nineteen stories, the Eyes Closed Project shows us its kindest face.
The panels remind us that we may encounter thousands of stories that are very different from our own. People might eat in different ways; they might have very different ideas of what is important, or how to express love or concern. Each of these differences might become a fascinating story to share.
The Eyes Closed Project invites Anchorage’s residents to open our ears and hearts to these stories. It encourages us to listen to these stories in wonder, and to listen to them more than once. It urges people to step out of their comfort zones, reach out to those who may seem very different, and do it in a respectful way. Our aim is that those who encounter the panels understand that no one has the complete truth in their hands, and truth does not always look the same.
As individuals in our communities, we all stand on a lot of common ground: we all want to live a healthy life; we all want to make a living from our work; we all want to be happy; and we all love our children. We can learn about these commonalities by listening to everyone’s stories.
Sanjita, Mother – Nepal says: “I obviously have high hopes for my children. I hope they don’t go through hardships like I did I hope they study hard and become doctors, engineers, and pilots. Like all parents, I want them to have a better life than their mother and father.”
There is universal hope that the next generation will do better than our own. As coordinators for the Eyes Closed Project, we had the opportunity to spend time with some of the new generation and we are sure they will improve this world. With these children in town, we are in good hands.
