Peace and Justice: Building a Better World Together

This article was written by JDPP ArtsReach Supervisor, Ensemble Member, and Teaching Artist, Mellissa Craig.

In 2011, I performed in my first JDPP production, “In This House,” told completely from the perspective of the historic Hempsted House in New London.  I worked with Judy Dworin, Kathy Borteck Gersten, and the Ensemble to bring light to the presence of slavery in CT and to share the experience of enslaved people, Adam and Joan Jackson, as tied to history of that house – a  history that not many people know about we worked to document through dance. In my many capacities at JDPP over the years, peace and justice have been at the center of every show, choreographed piece, art program, conversation, hug, and handshake. I have had the pleasure to use movement as a bridge to bring hope and unity to people of all ages and backgrounds. Being able to create, share stories, and perform in community with others is my calling, and I am so glad to have dance as my love language.

Peace is more than the absence of war or violence; it is creating communities where people feel safe, respected, and valued. Justice requires courage and action. It means recognizing when systems or traditions unfairly disadvantage certain people and working to make them better. Fighting for justice means ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to live with dignity and that unfairness is confronted rather than ignored. JDPP has this sentiment built into its core and has allowed so many of us to join together to be a part of cultivating solutions.

It’s gonna take “All of Us”!!  

Around the world, people are experiencing conflict, racism, poverty, and inequality, and these challenges can make peace seem distant. When people learn about different cultures, histories, and perspectives, they are better prepared to replace fear and misunderstanding with empathy. Each of us has a role to play. We may not be able to solve every conflict or eliminate every injustice, but we can influence the communities around us through our choices and actions. A kind word, a willingness to listen, an act of service, or the courage to speak up can become part of something much larger.

As ArtsReach Supervisor, I have curated the “A Response and a Call” series for the past 7 years. This year, I am taking the series on the road and bringing the art and the dance to you! Be on the lookout for Peace and Justice flag and movement workshops happening in your area.  I am asking us to keep “Joining Hands for Justice”. A peaceful and just world will not be created overnight. It is built gradually by people who believe that every person deserves dignity, safety, and respect. By choosing compassion over division and fairness over indifference, we can help create a future where peace and justice are not simply hopes, but realities.