Protest, activism and forgiveness
Many indigenous groups and peoples are fighting for rights that are being undermined by corporates, governments or other dominant groups. Often the conflict centres on land that has been confiscated or is being destroyed. These activists deploy all the means they have at their disposal – traditional and modern. Social media are combine with folk art, pop culture with traditional dress.
Things That Matter showcases two powerful examples. Palestinian rapper Shadia Mansour belts out her rousing, provocative texts clad in a traditional dress to emphasize her commitment to the Palestinian cause. And as a symbol of forgiveness for the historic crimes committed against them, aboriginal artists presented the Dutch government with a work of art: a gesture of moral superiority.
