In the digital age of social media posts and emails, is there still value to putting pen to paper to effect change? This virtual program explores this question through the perspectives of those who decided that a mailed letter has a unique ability to do just that. Hear from three panelists who have organized and implemented letter writing campaigns to protest racial injustice, advocate for human rights, and influence political change using letters as their medium. This program aims to both educate and inspire individuals to realize the unique power a written letter can still have in our fast-paced 21st-century world. Registration is required for this free, virtual program. A link for the online event will be sent to participants 24 hours before the program. Closed captioning will be provided. Questions? Please email NPMPrograms@si.edu
Panelists
Sasa Aakil is an 18 year old multi-media artist, writer, and the 2021 Montgomery County Youth Poet Laureate. She is a co-author of I Am The Night Sky and Other Reflections by Muslim American Youth and the artist behind the A Man Was Lynched Yesterday Project. Sasa is also a brown belt in Tung Su Do and a frequent maker of mistakes. As the Senior Program Officer for the Individuals at Risk Program at Amnesty International USA, Andrew Fandino runs the Urgent Action Network and the Case Commitment Initiative. He brings with him over 19 years of human rights advocacy experience, with a strong focus on human rights defenders. Queen A’Sis’T is the founder and CEO of Dear Black Male and Dear Black Female. Her mission is to uplift, encourage, and empower incarcerated Black Men and Black Women across the country to help end recidivism. She has personally handwritten over 7,000 Dear Black Male Letters and over 1,000 Dear Black Female letters in less than five years and has collectively received over 4,000 responses. Moderator
Monica O. Montgomery is the Curator of Special Projects and Programming at the Smithsonian Arts and Industries Building. She works at the nexus of equity, community, and inclusion. Known for curating social justice exhibits and leading the diversity network Museum Hue, she has also previously served as an executive director, graduate professor, project manager, fundraiser, and DEI trainer. Check out her TedX talk ‘How To Be an Upstander.’ |