Kirsten Leenaars

Freedom Principles, 2018

We need freedom to shape our future

Equality is our work

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The Freedom Principles, written in 2018, are part of (Re)Housing the American Dream; a cumulative performative documentary project (2015-ongoing). This experimental multi-year documentary project follows a group of American and refugee youths, growing up in the time of Trump, through the collective making of performative video and text based work exploring the construct of the American Dream. The production period is structured as an annual summer camp in which the works are developed through collaborative processes with the participants. The produced work reflects on current socio-political issues, their lived experiences, individual perspectives and their collective imagination. The annual works cumulatively inform each other and tell the story of a resilient, diverse, opinioned group of youngsters living in divisive times.

 

Text Freedom Principles:

 

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give recognition keep on marching empower someone else respect yourself respect the other rearrange the material world maintain momentum embrace imperfection improvise uplift the atmosphere give something away listen for change exchange ideas use just enough rules engage more fully have the humility to ask a younger person for advice act transparently embrace play embrace expression listen dance through the day put community first be patient lead on demand listen for change trust the process put a stop to the past use your voice amplify look fear in the face listen for change

 

 

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Authors: Isa Ali Ahmad, Nur Ali Ahmad, Yusof Ali Ahmad, Rokimah Ali Ahmad, Alanis Aranda-Salgado, Javon Amin Barker, Elsa Grace Berner, Paw Htoo Boe, Iman Fatmi, Nina Jackson, Vittoria Patricia Lucchesi, Amina Mohamed, Rahma Mohamed, Grace Elaine Ohlendorf, Ju Hta Paw, Hannah Plevin, Paw Boe Say and Naw Tha Da

 

Link to project website: https://rehousingtheamericandream.wordpress.com/