(Click here to go to a link to the 'High School Newspaper'. Go to the end to see the images)
When Yemeni Youth decided to peacefully revolt against the corrupt regime they had nothing in their hands but their revolutionary spirit, having faith in the peacefulness as well as the goals of their revolution, and social networks just like the Youth of Egypt and Tunisia. However, as time passed and the little street of tents eventually became a "town of tents" called the “Change Square,” many incidents demanded the Youth to dig back to the hidden power that was buried behind in their childhood.
Yemeni regime has never appreciated young talents, and anyone who didn't have access to the circles of the "elites" could never have opportunities. That idea now died at about three months ago when Youth decided to up rise and demand liberty. It is notable to everybody in the change square the incredible talents appearing everyday. Most of these talents are not really a "new born" to the Yemeni society, but the meanings now have grown to finally adjust to 2011, and even better, these talents are now used used as acts of "peace building." Acts of peace building through art are one of the most important methods these youth use such as music, plays, and dance. It is true that to some extent some art was used as a "distraction" tool from the political changes and the important events happening at the time of the revolution. On the other hand, some have used these arts to really implant the idea of "doing good things through art."
Almost everyday the Yemeni security forces decides to attack the peacefull protesters, and especially becomes very violent on the peaceful rallies and this has caused more than a thousand injuries and hundreds of deaths because of gunfire that is shot directly at them.
After one of those rallies I was walking in the change square at night, and I remembered a "little" tent that I saw before that had about four to five nice drawings in it, so I decided to give it a visit. I walked behind the podium, and head through the little street now occupied with tents from both sides. When I got to the tent, I was amazed. I usually rather use my camera only when important things happen, but this ... should really be written in history books.
The five or four drawings now became more than thirty, and the tent now became a “workshop!" I couldn't resist but grab the camera and start capturing the talents youth have. I don't even know where they learned to draw like this because art isn’t taught in government schools.When I asked the guy who was wearing the card of the "movement" called, “Coalition of Youth for Modernization,” what was the tent and the drawings about. He started explaining to me that this is a way of honoring the revolts who were injured. By drawing pictures about the revolution and selling them to help them.
I was being more curious, and I asked, but “who is allowed to draw?”
He simply answered, "everyone," and was already telling to find a place where I can sit and draw. But to me I was in another world by then, I was thinking of the ambitions the Youth revolts have in giving everyone the right to opportunity and the right to participate in their community. This word "everyone" never existed in my life in Yemen, it's only if you are "from that area," or you have “those friends” that you can participate in any event. In addition, when I got to the tent, I saw a little girl drawing too which proves that all ages are allowed to draw as well. Will the next generation be more talented and brave?
When Yemeni Youth decided to peacefully revolt against the corrupt regime they had nothing in their hands but their revolutionary spirit, having faith in the peacefulness as well as the goals of their revolution, and social networks just like the Youth of Egypt and Tunisia. However, as time passed and the little street of tents eventually became a "town of tents" called the “Change Square,” many incidents demanded the Youth to dig back to the hidden power that was buried behind in their childhood.
Yemeni regime has never appreciated young talents, and anyone who didn't have access to the circles of the "elites" could never have opportunities. That idea now died at about three months ago when Youth decided to up rise and demand liberty. It is notable to everybody in the change square the incredible talents appearing everyday. Most of these talents are not really a "new born" to the Yemeni society, but the meanings now have grown to finally adjust to 2011, and even better, these talents are now used used as acts of "peace building." Acts of peace building through art are one of the most important methods these youth use such as music, plays, and dance. It is true that to some extent some art was used as a "distraction" tool from the political changes and the important events happening at the time of the revolution. On the other hand, some have used these arts to really implant the idea of "doing good things through art."
Almost everyday the Yemeni security forces decides to attack the peacefull protesters, and especially becomes very violent on the peaceful rallies and this has caused more than a thousand injuries and hundreds of deaths because of gunfire that is shot directly at them.
After one of those rallies I was walking in the change square at night, and I remembered a "little" tent that I saw before that had about four to five nice drawings in it, so I decided to give it a visit. I walked behind the podium, and head through the little street now occupied with tents from both sides. When I got to the tent, I was amazed. I usually rather use my camera only when important things happen, but this ... should really be written in history books.
The five or four drawings now became more than thirty, and the tent now became a “workshop!" I couldn't resist but grab the camera and start capturing the talents youth have. I don't even know where they learned to draw like this because art isn’t taught in government schools.When I asked the guy who was wearing the card of the "movement" called, “Coalition of Youth for Modernization,” what was the tent and the drawings about. He started explaining to me that this is a way of honoring the revolts who were injured. By drawing pictures about the revolution and selling them to help them.
I was being more curious, and I asked, but “who is allowed to draw?”
He simply answered, "everyone," and was already telling to find a place where I can sit and draw. But to me I was in another world by then, I was thinking of the ambitions the Youth revolts have in giving everyone the right to opportunity and the right to participate in their community. This word "everyone" never existed in my life in Yemen, it's only if you are "from that area," or you have “those friends” that you can participate in any event. In addition, when I got to the tent, I saw a little girl drawing too which proves that all ages are allowed to draw as well. Will the next generation be more talented and brave?
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