A Young Artist's Journey: From a Shattered Mirror to a Symbol of Social Justice. CORE’S next generation
Meet Alexander MacDonald, a 17-year-old student at Royal St. George's College, who is an American attending school in Toronto, Canada. Beyond the classroom, he's a talented artist with a passion for making a difference. Recently, Alexander embarked on a remarkable artistic journey as part of a social justice project that's gaining attention not just locally but on a global scale.
Alexander's project began with a powerful concept: addressing the fractures in society through art. "Social justice," he says, "is about striving for unity and understanding." With this vision in mind, he set out to create a piece that would resonate with viewers and inspire change. “For this project, I aimed to create a piece of art that encompassed the complexities of social justice. I started with a mirror, a symbol of reflection and self-awareness. I shattered the mirror into several sharp, jagged pieces. These fragments represented our fractured world, a world divided by inequality, discrimination, and injustice. With great care and intention, I pieced these fragments loosely back together symbolizing that our world could be mended but only together as a society. I added several hands of different colors – representing our wonderful diversity. These hands, coming together, were the embodiment of solidarity and the belief that together, we could rebuild a better world”. |
The impact of Alexander's art was profound, and it didn't go unnoticed. It caught the eye of Niger and Corine Innis, the children of the late former executive director, Roy Innis, who now lead the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE). They were deeply impressed by his artwork, seeing it as a symbol that embodies the very essence of CORE's mission.
CORE, founded in 1942 by an interracial group of students in Chicago, was at the forefront of the civil rights movement in the United States. They pioneered nonviolent direct action and provided crucial support to Martin Luther King during the Montgomery bus boycott. They continued their road to freedom and hope for 80 years. Alexander was awestruck when Niger and Corine Innis expressed interest in incorporating his art as part of CORE’s rebranding efforts. He said, "This was a profound moment for me. To have a piece of art that represented so much of my personal values and beliefs now stand as a symbol for an organization dedicated to non-violent political, social, and economic change for the underprivileged, and equal opportunity for all, was an immense honor." As CORE moves forward with its rebranding, Alexander's shattered mirror and mending hands will stand as an emblem of their continued commitment to social justice. It's a reminder that even the most divided of societies can be mended through cooperation, compassion, and a shared vision for a better future. He plans on being an active member of CORE as it enters its ninth decade bringing a new and fresh generation to CORE.
|