Textile Society of America
Textile Society of America Symposium Proceedings
Date of this Version
2024
Document Type
Presentation
Citation
Textile Society of America 2024 Symposium
Shifts & Strands: Rethinking the Possibilities and Potentials of Textiles, November 12-17, 2024, a virtual event
Abstract
As a long-standing natural fiber, wool provides an opportunity for community engagement and reflexive practice. Our process involved sourcing wool from US sheep and wool farms in lower income areas and hands-on textile development, and intersectional reflection. Being at a Hispanic Serving Institution, informed approaches to engage with concepts, such as the “zerosum paradigm” and “Solidarity Dividend” based on Heather McGhee’s NY Times Best Selling book “The Sum of Us.” It explores how racism affects intergenerational wealth among minorities. The zero-sum paradigm is the idea that progress is a tradeoff; benefits to some is at an expense for others. The Solidarity Dividend proposes that we can accomplish gains “together across race” rather than individually.
Through this project, Apparel students sourced wool materials from several Unites States farms in lower-income areas, hand-spun yarns, and created a collaborative handwoven textile during the Los Angeles County Fair that reached hundreds of community members. Diverse students worked together with a common goal to benefit community members of all backgrounds with yarn spinning and weaving demonstrations. They informed the community about the uses and benefits of wool with a mutual goal of wanting to bring effective change to the apparel industry for everyone. This work is informed by our lived experiences and awareness of contemporary and historical activism (Garment Workers, Black Panthers, Brown Berets Chicanas) to address racial and socio-economic inequities. The concepts discussed are relevant to local minoritized communities, especially with proximity to the Los Angeles apparel industry that brings zero-sum challenges and Solidarity Dividend opportunities.
Included in
Art and Materials Conservation Commons, Art Practice Commons, Civic and Community Engagement Commons, Fashion Design Commons, Fiber, Textile, and Weaving Arts Commons, Fine Arts Commons, Inequality and Stratification Commons, Latina/o Studies Commons, Museum Studies Commons, Social Justice Commons
Comments
Published by the Textiles Society of America
Copyright 2024, the author. Used by permission