BY MAYA ANGELOU
You declare you see me dimly
through a glass which will not shine,
though I stand before you boldly,
trim in rank and marking time.
You do own to hear me faintly
as a whisper out of range,
while my drums beat out the message
and the rhythms never change.
Equality, and I will be free.
Equality, and I will be free.
You announce my ways are wanton,
that I fly from man to man,
but if I'm just a shadow to you,
could you ever understand ?
We have lived a painful history,
we know the shameful past,
but I keep on marching forward,
and you keep on coming last.
Equality, and I will be free.
Equality, and I will be free.
Take the blinders from your vision,
take the padding from your ears,
and confess you've heard me crying,
and admit you've seen my tears.
Hear the tempo so compelling,
hear the blood throb in my veins.
Yes, my drums are beating nightly,
and the rhythms never change.
Equality, and I will be free.
Equality, and I will be free.
Maya Angelou, born April 4, 1928 as Marguerite Johnson in St. Louis, was raised in segregated rural Arkansas. She was a poet, historian, author, actress, playwright, civil-rights activist, producer and director. She lectured throughout the US and abroad and was Reynolds professor of American Studies at Wake Forest University in North Carolina since 1981. She published ten best selling books and numerous magazine articles earning her Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award nominations. At the request of President Clinton, she wrote and delivered a poem at his 1993 presidential inauguration.
The exhibition focused on SDG 5: Gender Equality provided us with a valuable learning opportunity to create meaningful content that educated people about universal fair rights. The exhibition featured multiple interactive areas that motivated visitors to explore gender equality questions and discuss related issues.
Our exhibition featured an important moment when we displayed the poem "Equality" by Maya Angelou to present a message about inclusion and fairness to our audience. Through the Equality Fingerprint activity, we learned that everyone contributes to the shared objective of equality, regardless of their characteristics. Through the Tree of Thought, participants wrote their thoughts and hopes about a global society that included everyone, and the artistic display showcased societal evolution as one.
The Photobooth Section provided visitors with entertaining opportunities to support gender equality, and the Reverse Role Play feature educated guests about gender stereotypes and social biases. Our explanation section delivered to visitors a solid grasp of SDG 5, together with the essential meaning of our selected poem.
Our way of showing gratitude to participants included giving badges and candy treats that unified them in a collective message of equality. We felt a deep sense of reward when visitors of our booth showed both enthusiasm and shared their perspectives about gender equality.
Visitors left this exhibition with a lasting impact because it compelled them to analyze ongoing discrimination and question their responsibility to effect positive change. Participants found that the activities demonstrated the everyday difficulties people experience due to gender discrimination. Many participants had a transformative experience during the Reverse Role Play activity, as they got to experience gender-based biases firsthand.
Through its conversational approach and stereotype confrontation, the exhibition motivated people to develop a heightened sensitivity to gender equality issues in their everyday lives. Multiple visitors expressed their commitment to fighting for equality in their local communities through active opposition to discrimination and support for universal opportunities for everyone.
This exhibition provided learning opportunities for both our audience and our organizing team. The event strengthened our understanding of advocacy work and the vital role that engaging interactive activities play in starting meaningful dialogues about social issues. Our work for gender equality aimed to raise awareness and motivate others to create change for an inclusive society.
GALLERY