Choosing to Participate September 25, 2012

Presented by the Chicago office of international educational nonprofit Facing History and Ourselves, Choosing to Participate is a powerful multimedia exhibition examining the impact and history of bigotry and injustice, and inspiring conversation about the choices we can make every day to foster civic engagement, tolerance, and mutual understanding in our communities. Central to the exhibition are five installations telling stories in the first-person about people and communities that have experienced racism and injustice, and how courage, initiative, and compassion are necessary to protect democracy. The two local components of the exhibition are Upstanders: Portraits of Courage, featuring photographs and narratives celebrating 12 unsung heroes making a difference in Chicago; and pARTicipation: Young Artists Speak Up, a display of original artwork from Chicagoland students in grades 7-12 that illustrates the importance of choices we make in our daily lives. This free event is open daily during regular library hours at the Harold Washington Library Center.