This week a few of us from the Restavek Freedom U.S. office were invited to a local school to talk with 5th graders about modern-day slavery.
The second to last day before summer break, their dedicated teachers were taking them on a field trip to Cincinnati’s Freedom Center, where Restavek Freedom currently has items on display. The students were very engaged as we did a couple of our creative learning activitieswith them.
We began with an activity called “What Does Slavery Look Like?” which is designed to challenge preconceptions and teach students the different forms modern-day slavery may take. As you might imagine, when asked what comes to mind when they hear the word “slavery,” most students picture the slavery that existed in the United States in the 1800s, which they have learned about in school.
We are always moved, however, by the students’ feelings and sense of injustice towards slavery in any form.
The 5th graders in this class had a great sense of empathy during this activity. In colorful imagery, they put their thoughts to paper as they imagined what it would feel like to live in slavery, whether they pictured a lack of freedom…
….or isolation.
One student in particular caught our attention as she captured a very profound issue. What she drew no doubt existed during the period of slavery in the United States, and exists just as much today. We were struck by her maturity as she explained in extremely insightful yet simple terms:
“This is someone living in slavery,” she said, pointing to the girl in the middle of the picture. “And this,” she motioned to the girl on the left, “is someone who knows what’s going on, but looks away.”
I was speechless as she shared her drawing with me. We have done this activity with several different schools and various ages of students, but she was the first to call out this reality on paper. Turning a blind eye. Burying your head in the sand. Choosing to look the other way. With crayons, she drew a temptation all of us have when we hear about something so heavy as modern-day slavery. Yet the simplicity of a child capturing this on paper and calling it what it was, was powerful.
She, along with the other 5th graders, drew in full color and creativity the very real emotions felt by those who are enslaved today, and were not shy about calling out the injustice of slavery. We are so encouraged by these students and their generation, who believe in bringing an end to slavery.
To bring our interactive exhibit and creative learning activities to your school, church, or group, contact [email protected]. We would love to partner with you!
