the anthology

this anthology is the result of our 34 poems of witness written in this project

about the project

Poetry of Witness Today is a project inspired by the anthology Against Forgetting (1993), edited by Carolyn Forché.

In this project, 30 English 7 students wrote witness poetry in response to current news media, accompanied by opinion pieces on the same events. The project concluded with a visit to, and a feature-writing response about, the biennial a hand that is all of hands combined by GIBCA at Röda Sten Konsthall.

You who are living, what have you done with these treasures? Do you regret the time of my struggle?

Have you raised your crops for a common harvest? Have you made my town a richer place?

– Robert Denos (1900-1945)

opinion pieces

Today's Fight for Social Justice

As the world is changing, so do our way of communicating. Our daily conversations are moving to social media sites and in quick succession so does our fight for a fair society.

The Human Side of Crime

Tom Phillips was shot by a policeman after committing a robbery on a commercial property, after living off grid with his three children for years. To understand why Phillips has committed crimes and obeyed the legal systems, without just assuming he is a madman with no morals, we need to look at what made him do them. He lost custody of his children which made him very emotional. Tom's situation led him to a path of multiple crimes and bad decisions.

The Implications of Capitalism on the Environment.

Many hear about climate change in the news weekly, if not more often. But why would this be the case? If almost the entire human populace either hears about, talks about, or is affected by climate change, how come it has not been properly addressed yet? The truth is deceivingly simple: Those who can change the fact that our planet is burning, those with influence who can extinguish the flame of destruction, sit around and do nothing in favour of reaping the meagre profits. As peace becomes a vestige of the past, how will humanity progress.

The Quickfix epidemic

A society addicted to quick-fixes is a society that is doomed to fail in the aspects of resilience and authenticity. Only by embracing principles of integrity, patience and long-term responsibilities can we truly address the root causes of our personal and collective problems.

We Must Save Those Who Suffered The Most

I believe a society that ignores survivors of disasters and trauma only breeds deeper wounds. By instead listening and offering long-term support we can therefore, create a community built on healing instead of hate.

The silent weight of climate anxiety: Why we must listen to the voices of young people

The murder of Charlie Kirk on a Utah university campus marks a disturbing moment for free speech in America. When people are killed for expressing their beliefs, our universities – once the heart of open debate – become symbols of fear and division. This tragedy forces us to ask whether we still value dialogue over violence in our democracy.

The Immense, but Often Forgotten Value of a Tree

We often like to think of ourselves as standing at the apex of the world, yet we forget what the foundation beneath our feet is made of. Without the living green around us, there would be nothing left to eat, breathe, or to admire. So let us once again be reminded to appreciate the immense value of treelife. Before it is too late.

The spark that set the parliament on fire

The burning of Nepal’s parliament following a social media ban marks a pivotal moment in the nation’s democratic struggle. What appeared to be a protest over digital censorship is in reality an expression of deeper frustration with corruption, lack of transparency, and declining trust in political institutions. Issues that threaten the very foundation of democracy.

The silent weight of climate anxiety: Why we must listen to the voices of young people

In an age where the planet itself cries for help, the youth carry not only the burden of the future but also the silence of those who refuse to listen. Their grief is not weakness, it is a warning.