Censorship of Palestinian Children's Art
On September 8th, 2011, an art exhibit of children's drawings was banned by the children's museum in Oakland ( MOCHA). Much of this artwork was drawn by children participating in MECA's "Let the Children Play And Heal" Project.
Let the Children Play and Heal gives tens of thousands of children and youth in Gaza opportunities to express themselves though art, dance, music, story-telling, theatre and puppetry; to get support from the larger community; and to have fun and just be children. It was developed to address the needs of traumatized children after the 2009 assault on Gaza and provide much needed pyschosocial support.
You may already know about our fight around the Oakland museum that banned our children’s art exhibit. The art is just that: art produced by children as part of our Let the Children Play program. Art like that produced by Asil, a ten-year-old from Gaza.
Asil painted a picture of herself in jail. Written between the bars, Asil says “I have a right to live in peace,” “I have a right to live this life,” and “I have a right to play.”
After months of planning and establishing a close partnership with the museum, we were saddened to learn that the children of Gaza would be denied the opportunity to share their experiences, art, and creativity with the Bay Area community. For 23 years, MECA has been a witness to how organizations like the Jewish Community Relations Council and Jewish Federation can intimidate groups and individuals who try to present the reality and perspectives of Palestinians.
All of us at MECA understand all too well the enormous pressure that the museum came under from these organizations and their allies. But we are deeply disappointed by this decision, and I ask you to join us in expressing our concern at the Museum's ill-advised decision.
With warm regards,
Barbara Lubin Executive Director
September 2011
