https://home.fredonia.edu/pdc/culture/diversity-quilt-project
Created in 1987, the AIDS Memorial Quilt was made to commemorate the lives lost to the devastating disease known as AIDS. It was an outlet for people to honor the death of their loved one. It was made during a time when gays were rejected and therefore the disease not paid much attention to, despite the growing number of lives it was taking away. The quilt was a social and political statement for AIDS patients that said "we cannot be ignored, we are here and we are suffering". As years progressed the quilt grew in size and would eventually reach over 48,000 squares that told over 48,000 stories.
Fredonia has recently started its own "Diversity Quilt Project". Much like the AIDS Memorial Quilt, it is being created to allow faculty and students to tell their own stories. There are many different and diverse people at Fredonia, and the quilt serves as a symbol that despite our differences we must all come together to form something whole and for the bigger picture that is our university.
Quilts remain in American history as a means of expressing oneself whether it be politically, sexually, culturally, socially, etc. From the creation of the AIDS Memorial Quilt in 1987 to the Fredonia Diversity Quilt in 2017, moments in time have been captured and celebrated just by being brought together to make a broader statement. The AIDS quilt is still relevant and protected today because it can serve as a lesson for future generations. It can continuously be studied and looked upon with the message that everyone matters and has the right to share what they believe in/stand for. Students that attend Fredonia now and in the future will look at the Diversity Quilt and think that maybe they aren't so different than the classmates around them. Both quilts celebrate our differences, despite being 30 years apart in age. We have made strides in our country in terms of being more accepting towards those different then us. Although this is true, after the results of our most recent election discrimination seems to be staring us directly in the face more than it has for a while. It feels as though we are taking steps backwards instead of forwards. With the creation of projects such as these quilts, though, we are reminded that our differences are what make us American.
Fredonia has recently started its own "Diversity Quilt Project". Much like the AIDS Memorial Quilt, it is being created to allow faculty and students to tell their own stories. There are many different and diverse people at Fredonia, and the quilt serves as a symbol that despite our differences we must all come together to form something whole and for the bigger picture that is our university.
Quilts remain in American history as a means of expressing oneself whether it be politically, sexually, culturally, socially, etc. From the creation of the AIDS Memorial Quilt in 1987 to the Fredonia Diversity Quilt in 2017, moments in time have been captured and celebrated just by being brought together to make a broader statement. The AIDS quilt is still relevant and protected today because it can serve as a lesson for future generations. It can continuously be studied and looked upon with the message that everyone matters and has the right to share what they believe in/stand for. Students that attend Fredonia now and in the future will look at the Diversity Quilt and think that maybe they aren't so different than the classmates around them. Both quilts celebrate our differences, despite being 30 years apart in age. We have made strides in our country in terms of being more accepting towards those different then us. Although this is true, after the results of our most recent election discrimination seems to be staring us directly in the face more than it has for a while. It feels as though we are taking steps backwards instead of forwards. With the creation of projects such as these quilts, though, we are reminded that our differences are what make us American.
I like that you connected this to Fredonia's diversity quilt, I think it is a very cool thing that Fredonia is doing that. Also, I agree that the AIDS quilt is a political statement for those who wanted more awareness to the disease
ReplyDeleteI agree with you both Arianna and Elizabeth, I like that you connected it for Fredonia and we can also connect it to the motto the US had before they switched it to "in God we trust." And that was E Pluribus Unum which means "out of many, one." I think we should switch it back to E Pluribus Unum because like you said we have many differences and I feel like saying "in God we trust" makes one religion stand out more than another.
ReplyDeleteI agree with both comments. I did not know about the diversity quilt at Fredonia, so this is very interesting to me and I liked how you made a connection in history to something we can relate to and understand now. I also agree with you that the quilt can be beneficial in the future too.
ReplyDeleteOh wow! I did not know about Fredonia's diversity quilt... I find it so interesting that something as simple as a quilt can have a much deeper meaning and tell anyone's story. I wish I could see the AIDS Quilt in person. I also like to think that we are always taking steps forward rather than backwards. We've come so far in History and shouldn't forget about all we've accomplished just because of what's happening currently. Great post!!
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