Dispossessed but defiant: An international photo exhibition on Indigenous struggles

Finally, there is an Art Show that makes a statement about justice or the lack thereof. Too much "art" is just self-indulgence ad nauseum! As Brecht said "Art is not a mirror to reflect the world, but a hammer with which to shape it".

At the reception of the Art Show, Danielle Boissoneau, of Idle No More, spoke on native people in Canada. She thinks that art is one way to get people to change and make the world more just. She noted the terrible residential schools and other horrors that should be well known to anyone living in Canada. It really is time for all to no longer be idle. We need to demand change. Now.

Yara Shoufani, co-chair of Solidarity with Palestinian Human Rights (McMaster), also spoke on Palestine. Sadly most Canadian don't know much about the continuing injustice done to the Palestinians. They continued to be occupied, illegally, according to the UN! They live under apartheid conditions. Yet the Jewish settlements continue to expand. This continues with U.S. support or blind eyes. 

One picture of the exhibit showed the immense Palestinian farms before being taken over by the Jews. It also showed the Jaffa orange - created by Palestinians. The exporting of the oranges used to be a major source of income for many farmers. Now it is hard to even get to your land, if you have any left. Not only does the Wall prevent you but this wall also takes up 10% of Palestinian land. How just is it that some are taken from their land, homes...so that others may possess them?

Sadly, the corporate media deceives most to think all is fine. As Danielle said, we need to think for ourselves. While there are great sources like Democracy Now, we need to share with our peers and especially those that may disagree with us, as Yara noted. 

The dispossession nature continues to plague the entire world in the name of progress and capitalism. What is being done to stop this? Watch for discussion on the talks in Paris.

I pointed out that it's ironic that the Jewish Scriptures condemn such injustice. Habakkuk [ch.2] notes:

Because you have plundered many nations, 

the people who are left will plunder you...

Woe to him who builds his realm by unjust gain

to set his nest on high...

Woe to him who builds a city with bloodshed

and establishes a town by crime

The conquest of all countries/land/nature is well described by the above verses.More discussion can be found here. 

Danille is on the left and Yara on the right. See here for more shots. The exhibit finishes December 9 at the The Pearl Company