1000 Peace Cranes

22 March 2012

MORE on What's your view of the world? 
  
Take a journey into other worlds during the month of March at the University Museum at Texas Southern with the 1000Words | 1000Kalema Exhibition, March 2nd through April 1st. 

“A picture is worth a thousand words, and 
a thousand words creates the stories.” 
P.K. McCary 

Join us this month for a series of events honoring this exhibition and work behind it. For more information contact the Museum at 713-313-7120 or call P.K. McCary at 713-893-1304 or email her at [email protected]. The competition was originally sponsored by Think Peace International who partnered with a host of peace organizations in the world. The exhibition has traveled to several cities and countries in an effort to show that the arts can serve as a tool for understanding, building bridges and making peace around the world. Don't miss the following events. 

Through the Eyes of a Child (Part 1) 
1,000 Peace Cranes for Our Children 
March 24th at The University Museum at Texas Southern University 
The Peace Crane has become an international symbol of peace because of the sad, but inspiring life story of a young Japanese girl named Sadako Sasaki. In August of 1945, the atom bomb was dropped on Hiroshima where Sadako lived. She was only 2 years old. When Sadako was in the sixth grade (1954), she was diagnosed with Leukemia, what some people called the "bomb disease." Sadako's treatment was long and difficult. While in the hospital, she was shown colorful paper and shown how to make an origami crane. She was told about a Japanese legend,which said that anyone who made 1,000 paper cranes would be granted a wish. Her wish--world peace. 

"I will write peace on your wings and you will fly all over the world." 
Sadako Sasaki 

Now, thousands upon thousands of peace cranes are done each year. One of the reasons is to remind people of the devastation of war and its cost. At one of our events for the 1000 Words | 1000 Kalema exhibition, we hope to make 1,000 peace cranes between now and the first of October. These 1,000 peace cranes will be hung at two major events: The Children Defense Fund's Children Sabbath and the 1,000 Lights for Peace, which celebrates Gandhi's life and work. 

But, there is an additional reason we want to create the cranes. Recently, the news concerning the death of a young man, Trayvon Martin, has us once again shaking out heads at the futility of violence. Trayvon, whose life, like Sadako, was taken because of "war"--this time war against a race, against a culture--reminds us that we have much work to do. Injustices to children happen every day, but these injustices are unacceptable. Whether or not it is because of the "cradle to prison pipeline" or disparities in healthcare and education, they are unacceptable. But the biggest threat to our young is violence! Learning to make these cranes is a productive way to bring attention to the injustices against our children, displaying the cranes (made by children and adults) is another way to value our children. 

Bring your children to The University Museum and learn about origami peace cranes. Packages to make your own peace cranes with your group or organization will be made available on Saturday. Sign up packages for Gandhi-sponsored competitions will also be made available. 

Through the Eyes of a Child (Part 2) 
Learn About the World through the Lens of a Camera 
March 31st at The Unviersity Museum at Texas Southern University 
Ray Carrington and Earlie Hudnall are photographers who have filmed the world as they know it. They have also shared their experiences with young people. Learn about the impact of photography on our view of the world. Event will have demonstrations along with a tour of the exhibit currently on display. Mr. Hudnall will showcase his work over the years. 

These Saturday events are from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. for children ages 6 to 17. You can also sign up for the photography competition sponsored by The University Museum at Texas Southern University. Parking available at Ennis at Blodget. For more information call 713.313.7145. 
  

The Peace Hour, an initiative of Beyond the Decade 
"Voices for Peace" 
Heard on the Think Peace Radio Network, 
Podcast, Blogspot Radio and OHZone.org Weekly 
Host and Founder: P.K. McCary 
(713) 893-1304 / (281) 677-4227 HOUSTON 
(831) 250-6860 / (281) 677-4227 CARMEL