This morning, like every day, I logged onto Facebook. But this morning was different, for some reason, as if everything affected me more intensely... This tsunami of terrifying information overwhelmed me even more violently than on other days.
A tyrant is at the head of the world's greatest power.Hehas the codes for the most radical weapon imaginable in his jacket pocket. He has one of the most radical minds imaginable. In just one week, he has already banned nationals from several countries from entering the United States on the basis of their religion. This includes all permanent residents who had the misfortune of temporarily leaving the United States and are now unable to return home for at least 90 days. And that is just one of the many terrible decisions made this week. Like many, I remember my history lessons and that date, which is still etched in my mind. "1933, Hitlerbecomes chancellor."He too came to power with the support of the people.
Hate speech is on the rise, both there and here at home. How difficult it is to know what is really going on. How difficult it is to understand the Other, their religion, their culture, when they are an anonymous entity portrayed to us in the media. And how easy it is, unfortunately, to stereotype them, reject them, and send them back home when we don't know them.
I have a lump in my throat, my heart is heavy, and my stomach is churning.I have traveled the world, and what I have seen is so far removed from this "other reality" that I refuse to accept it.
WithKonstelacio, I have been fighting for six years now to make the Other a little less anonymous. I am fighting to help children (and adults) overcome their mistrust and acceptdiversity as a source of richness and curiosity.AndI am not alone. I am now surrounded by around fifteen volunteers, 70 members, a whole team of artists, and a patron who believe in these same values.
Fighting, struggling—these warlike words were not chosen at random.We are waging a war for peace.Weare fighting rejection and indifference so that society will be less tempted to elect madmen, so that it will have more empathy and finally accept the diversity that is its own.
But it's no secret that money is the lifeblood of any endeavor.
It's so difficult to ask for money... It's almost as if it makes the cause less noble. But let's be realistic,without money, projects can't get off the ground.Unfortunately, raising funds to carry out our projects (particularly Lyra) is difficult.
If you believe in our values and would like to support us in this endeavor, there are several ways you can help:
•Byjoining theassociation for €10/year (or more as a benefactor member)
•By making a donationas apatron (60% tax deductible) if you are a business owner
•By promoting the association within your company. Many companies engage in patronage and are particularly receptive to associations supported by their employees.
You can pay your membership fee here:https://www.paypal.me/Konstelacio/
You can find more detailed information about the association's activities here:http://www.calameo.com/read/004926394bc1db990619c
Here is Lyra's sponsorship appeal file to send to your companies: http://urlz.fr/4IRe
And here are the reactions of French and Tunisian children on Europe 1 following a school exchange organized by Konstelacio (listen to it again and again on days when you lose faith in humanity): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbvzdLSLy2Y
Because we don't have the luxury of giving up. Because deep down, there is always a little bit of hope left. Because alone we go fast, but together we go further.
Let's not stand idly by. Let's continue to be outraged and fight for peace.
Charlotte
Founder ofKonstelacio.