Youth and Activism: Inside Out Arts Project at ASU

By Taylor Pineda

Youth and activism seems to go hand in hand as young people, historically full of passion have taken a stand over what they believe in. From Freedom Riders to present day demonstrations over immigration reform, the fight for equality and the end of discrimination seems to be an ongoing struggle.

To emphasize this point, a participatory arts event titled Inside Out is taking place Tuesday, from noon -8 p.m. at the ASU Tempe Campus Museums, Galleries and  Collections building.

Arizona is home to many activists and controversial public policy regarding immigration laws; it is seen as a pilot to movements in immigration reform. To remind citizens of the various families displaced by legislation and the lack of political agreements, award-winning artist JR plans to pay tribute to the immigration movement.

 “The project takes part in Inside Out, a global participatory art project that honors power and dignity of individuals by displaying their portraits in public spaces around the world. People share their untold stories and transform messages of personal identity into works of public art,” (Inside Out Facebook Events Page).

The giant portraits and day’s events is in effort to educate and inform people about what work is happening in Arizona to fight for the dignity and humanity of 11 million undocumented immigrants in the U.S.

Beyond any political debate the immigrants  living in the U.S., these portraits remind us that behind the numbers are real human stories.

To learn more about the Inside Out check out this video: