With Wings and Roots

Installation: Migration, citizenship and struggles for belonging

Migration troubles the water of the nation-state - it is an act which tests the conditions of belonging in contemporary societies. We utilize john a. powell’s definition of belonging here: “Belonging means having the right to contribute to, and make demands on, society and political institutions.” 

By exploring the history of who has and has had access to basic rights, including the right to move or to stay, freedom from violence and to live a life of dignity, to vote and to organize – we learn both the legacy of othering effects of nation-state building, as well as the manifold ways migrants, refugees and people of solidarity have organized to expand belonging.  How fundamental rights can be guaranteed for all humans regardless of their national origin or legal status is essential in our quest to build a liberatory future.

This installation includes a small selection of events and stories in the US and Germany available at withwingsandroots.org. 

We invite you to share your belonging stories, struggles or visions with us in a one-on-one conversation, with each other, in our photo/video booth or add them to the timeline.

Organizer: 

With Wings and Roots is a transnational network of media makers, activists, scholars, educators, and cultural organizers working in the U.S., Germany, and internationally. Through media, campaigns and education, we engage audiences with complex narratives of migration that challenge racism, and embrace all of our inherent belonging. To explore personal narratives, and histories of migration, race, and struggles for belonging, visit: withwingsandroots.org

Moderators:

Olga Gerstenberger is a political scientist, organizer and director of With Wings and Roots in Germany. Olga uses her multidisciplinary background to engage in social justice projects and has been a researcher and lecturer on migration, racism, social justice movements and memory politics at the Alice Salomon Hochschule Berlin. She currently heads With Wings and Roots' impact activities in Germany and co-leads the 'Pass(t) uns allen' campaign to change German citizenship, naturalization and voting laws.

YUKI KOJIMA  (she / her / Yuki) is a creative handworker. Born in Tokyo, Japan and now based in Berlin, Yuki works as a propmaker, costume marker, event builder, party decor, installation artist, and installation assistant. Yuki is also the owner of the company “WORKWEAR 4 WOMEN '', selling imported colorful Japanese workwear to empower hard-working women.