World Peace Mural | Valuable Lessons From Iraqi Students
By Spramani Elaun
As the art director leading the world peace mural project, I took my place in front of the class at California Sate University San Marcos July 27th with ambassador students, 20 visiting from different regions of Iraqi IYLEP (Iraqi Young Leaders Exchange Program).
What I thought was going to be a typical painting mural project, turned out to be the biggest lesson on World peace for me from Iraqi students.
I’m no fool, I knew we had differences of opinions, politics, region, social behavior, and we mostly likely needed to stay away from those topics.
However, as I started my lesson on the meaning of what a mural stands for, I found myself cracking open Pandora’s box and asking the students to peek inside with me.
The students had been in the U.S. for a couple of weeks on a once in a life world wind tour of American experiences visiting; D.C., Detroit, San Diego, historical sites, museums, San Diego Zoo, Disneyland, shopping for the first time in a Wal-Mart, TJ Max, sitting on the beach for the very first time, plus so many more activities to come before heading back home.
As I winded down my mural discussion, I asked, ” What message would you like to leave on this mural?”
There was dead silence. I could see the students struggling to be honest or open with me. I saw hesitant looks and stares. I then told the students – artist express ideas, messages, hope for future change. I explained how art is subjective, maybe even an idea to influence future change. I explained the freedom of speech and expression. Hands flew-up and the conversations began. We dove into raw truths of humanity.
One of the first things that was brought to my attention was how the students were worried about families back home, certain parts of the countries internet access had been shut down for a period of time that week, some feared for their family’s safety. I learned about current war situations at hand. We talked about the current water crises, issues of equality, and freedom. I learned very sad stories of students that got denied their visa from the U.S. and were unable to make the journey with their classmates. Stories of struggle to get along with students from the other parts of their country on this trip.
After hours of keeping the group focused on collaboration, ideas, views, and dreams, we finalized the mural concept for our painting day. I had tearful moments when I realized some of the students came to a peaceful agreement co-exist together here in the U.S. on this trip.
Students from different parts of Iraqi exchanged firm handshakes, and agreed to let their inherited hatred for each other not get in the way of their new-found friendship on U.S. soil. This became the focal point of the Mural.
Mural concept: To shed old ideas of past generations (by dying leaves dropping off tree), and grow hopeful fruits of new ideas for peace for people of Iraqi (new leaves growing) in hopes of future change.
I left the room ashamed for not knowing the true struggles of their country, or even any other countries for that matter. Why did I not hear about it on social media the news? Why are we not talking about how our planet everywhere is suffering from global warming with water crises?
After the mural was painted, many students at the closing ceremony gave outstanding speeches of going home to try to make change by sharing water irrigation ideas they learned from seeing first hand at our local water district. Some want to share woman’s rights ideas, equity ideas, ideas of freedom they witnessed here, and positive collaborative learning they did at the university. But most importantly, they vowed to go home and set examples for getting along with other regions of their country.
So I wrote this because I wanted to ask how do we help our students rise to the occasion of future global issues, conflict, or learn how to come to resolutions? I feel we parents and teachers need to be the mentors. We need to set good examples today in our classrooms and communities. How can we show we care about all our planets future and its people? I feel these values start in the classroom and at home. This mural will be hanging in the American Language and Culture Institute at CSUSM (California Sate University San Marcos).
The Iraqi Leaders Exchange Program (IYLEP) for Undergraduates, is sponsored by the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad and implemented by World Learning, is committed to fostering the next generation of Iraqi leaders. This year’s participants, hosted at four universities throughout the United States, are focusing on one of four thematic “institutes” Science and Technology, Public Administration, Environmental and Cultural Preservation, or Public Health.
Spramani Elaun is an American natural art teacher and author of several art education books for children. Spramani Elaun has nurtured visual art lessons for thousands of children. Spramani travels Internationally for visual art — teacher training, and develops art curriculum for schools. She is founder of Nature of Art For Kids® Art School
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