On July 13th, 2018, SAAPRI and the Kalapriya Center for Indian Performing Arts, in collaboration with the Chicago Park District, conducted its second event in a series of Night Out in the Park events titled “Ahimsa: The End of Violence.” The event was held in Shedd Park, located on the west side of Chicago in the Little Village neighborhood, and consisted of a dance performance by Kalapriya artists and students from Joyce Kilmer Elementary and John J. Pershing Magnet School. The performance was followed by a panel discussion consisting of community leaders who reflected on the themes of violence and justice.
The program was truly a unique approach to combating violence in Chicago communities as it brought together traditional Indian dance, international storytelling, students from different backgrounds and neighborhoods, and reflections from the community. The Kalapriya students performed narrative dances depicting three different stories from Ancient Greece, 19th Century America, and Ancient India, with each story serving as a meditation on nonviolence and justice.
Ahimsa showcased how individuals from different cultures and neighborhoods can unite in the face of violence, which was reflected in the diversity of Kalapriya performers, panelists, and audience. In a city as segregated as Chicago, this was a welcome sight.
I applaud the organizers of this event because – look around – this is one of the most diverse groups I’ve seen in my regular life.
Dr. Yvonne Lau, Dean of Academics and Career Pathways at Instituto Del Progreso Latino
Panel discussion moderated by Tejas Shah (Board Member of SAAPRI) with Sixto Torres (Dean of Students for Instituto Del Progreso Latino Leadership Academy), Dr. Yvonne Lau (Dean of Academics and Career Pathways at Instituto Del Progreso Latino), Alma Anaya (Cook County Commissioner-elect of the 7th District), and Wanda Norris (Youth Minister and Supervisor of Shedd Park).
In the panel discussion led by SAAPRI, following the performance, a common theme that arose was that violence starts in the home, within oneself, and comes in all forms.
[Violence is] gun violence; it’s gender based violence, and it’s domestic violence, and more and more. We are seeing the violence between institutions like law enforcement against our communities.”
Alma Anaya, Cook County Commissioner-elect of the 7th District
Sixto Torres, a mentor at the New Life Center as well as the Dean of Students at Instituto Del Progreso Latino Leadership Academy, emphasized the importance of mentorship to young people as a way to combat violence, stating it is “key for young people who are struggling”.
Wanda Norris also highlighted the importance of looking out for youth, stating that young people in these communities tend to be a target.
Every one of these young people is my responsibility. If we all take that as our own, we would be much better as a community.
Wanda Norris, Youth Minister and Supervisor of Shedd Park
Youth leader Mary Kenya passionately explains how young people in her community experience violence and praises those in her neighborhood that are making a difference.
Moved by Wanda’s words to the youth, Mary Kenya, a young leader in the community, spontaneously joined the panel to share her own personal narrative about the impact people like Wanda and the community have on her well being. Mary had words of encouragement to share with the audience.
[This community] is family…and we can always do better, every day. It’s never too late to do better.
Mary Kenya, Youth leader
To close the community discussion, panelists were asked to respond to those who claim that those who are the loudest, most aggressive, and threaten violence get the furthest in the fight for justice. The group consensus was that Ahimsa (the concept of nonviolence towards all), peaceful protest, advocating to our representatives, and engaging with our communities in a positive way will ensure safety, peace, and progress.
Ahimsa: The End of Violence was also performed at Oz Park on July 20th, 2018 and at Indian Boundary Park on August 11th, 2018.
- Access the Facebook event page here