Project Knomad

This is the letter we are sending to the editor at the Warwick Advertiser in response to a mother's communication about her son being bullied at one of our local parks. You can read her letter here: http://warwickadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130430/OPINION03/130439987/0/OPINION/Spring-brings-a-new-bully Please contact us and let us know how you can help with our art project in honor of R-E-S-P-E-C-T!

Dear Editor,

Project Knomad would like to respond to the recent letter about the young man with Down Syndrome who was bullied in our local park.  Our anger and sadness in response to this letter raises our awareness of our commitment to community.  As we seek to connect people of all ages through art, creativity, sharing skills and talents with a particular connection to local skate boarders, we feel protective of all kids in our community including this young man who was the victim of bullying.  All our kids deserve a safe place to be, play and engage with community.

We support all of Warwick as a “No Bullying” zone, a place where everyone can feel acceptance for who they are. Project Knomad came together to help our kids experience more of what is good about life and living in a small town. We support the Mayor’s attention to this matter; more awareness, better supervision, education and his intention brings some solution to the problem. Project Knomad supports all of our kids getting a better sense of safety and surety in our public spaces. 

 ‘Bully’ is the mask a person wears when they are afraid to be themselves and/or are uncomfortable in their own skin. Bullying perpetuates fear and a temporary sense of power, albeit false power. Bullying covers up a deeper sadness from lack of acceptance and love. We at Project Knomad know that by creating positive experiences through the arts we can help our kids feel more supported in being who they are. We welcome the opportunity to be more aware and supportive of all of Warwick’s kids.

Project Knomad suggests an art project – let’s get together Warwick, and create some artful signs of respect and acceptance for each other – perhaps some ‘Respect, Accept, Embrace Community’ emblems. Let’s create some art in the name of acceptance. Like the Beatles said, “All We Need Is Love”. Let’s get together and show Zach and everyone who has been there how much. More info to follow, time, date, place, to be determined. We will need volunteers and donations of supplies. Check our blog – http://projectknomad.blogspot.com/ and reach us here – projectknomad@gmail.com .

Sincerely,

All of us at Project Knomad