For most people writing on one’s self is a frowned — upon practice, yet when Dear World visited campus Monday, Fresno State students covered their arms, hands, chests and backs with words of inspiration, hope, strength and empowerment.
Dear World is a social art project that fosters empathy in communities by giving people a chance to share a part of themselves. Participants simply write something meaningful on any part of their body and pose for a picture.
“The idea is to give them a portrait they can share on social media,” student event coordinator Alejandra Prado said.
Students reveled in the chance to express themselves. Many chose to write personal mantras or about things that give them hope.
Fresno State family science student and Camp Kesem volunteer Kendra Bryson wrote, “I am strong, but my CK kids are stronger” across her biceps.
According to Camp Kesem’s website, it’s a weeklong camp for children who are affected by a parent’s cancer. The camp allows children to connect with other children with similar situation.
Bryson said working with children who have lost a parent to cancer or who have a parent battling cancer with Camp Kesem has showed her the depths of human strength.
“These kids, despite everything, are still bubbly and happy,” Bryson said. “They are the strongest people I’ve ever met.”
Dear World allows people to share whatever is important to them. Some students taking part in the portraits wrote in foreign languages.
French and communication major Alyssa Hance wrote “paix, amour, bonheur” over her heart, which means peace, love, happiness.
Hance said she chose these words because she believes the ideas they represent, although simple, are very important for people to remember especially given recent violence and terrorist attacks.
“I feel like the world now is dark. It’s hateful and scary,” Hance said. “Everyone could use these three things to be better.”
Dear World is structured as a two part event. During the afternoon, portraits were taken. Then in the evening, there was a reveal of the day’s photographs accompanied by some of the most compelling stories.
At the reveal, six students were selected by Dear World to share their stories. One student, Luis David Barrera, took the stage in a wheelchair and shared the story of how he slowly lost his ability to walk while still in high school. Against all odds, Barrera finished high school and is fighting to fulfill his dream of graduating college.
He wrote across his arms, “Don’t stop, never quit.”
Other students shared stories of surviving domestic violence, escaping gang life, struggling with disease and losing a parent.
The final student, Teraiz Pitta, shared how she overcame her parents’ nine-year divorce, abuse and financial hardships. Given her situation, Pitta was forced to work full-time as a janitor to pay for the last portion of her private high school education.
Pitta made it to Fresno State but was dropped her first year for inability to pay. Eventually she worked her way back into school after waitressing for a time.
“Now I have the job of my dreams, and I am about to graduate in May with my second college degree,” Pitta said.
Pitta’s quote: “She believed she could, so she did.”
The artists behind Dear World say it is the stories that inspire them to work on the project.
Photographer and storyteller Katie Greenman said the project started after Hurricane Katrina, and it originally asked for victims to write a love note to the city of New Orleans.
“One day a guy wrote something very personal and the project evolved from there,” Greenman said.
Since it began, The New York Times and Oprah have acknowledged Dear World’s work. Greenman said the project focuses on corporate events, college campuses and field projects. Some of the most notable events Dear World has documented are the stories of Syrian refugees and survivors of the Boston Marathon bombing.
“Wherever there are unheard voices, we try to give those groups a voice,” Greenman said.
Creating a Dear Fresno State event was part of the Student Involvement department’s goal of increasing campus engagement.
Student event coordinator Haley Licciardello said this student involvement event was preceded by the comedian show earlier in the semester.
Up next is a visit from the creator of PostSecret Frank Warren. Licciardello said Warren will be on campus next Tuesday in the Satellite Student Union sharing the best secrets he has received including some that were banned from his book.