Lacuna looks at the world from many different angles to get a detailed picture of the themes that shape our society. We believe in the power of words and the importance of storytelling as tools to raise awareness and make a difference.
“Humans‘ superpower among the primates is our ability to collaborate”
There is a lot of new science that shows that collaboration is at the root of all life on earth, much more than competition. Sea plants, for example, could never have lived on land without collaborating with fungi. The eukaryotic cells that compose all complex life are the product of a weird collaboration between two different kinds of cells. It´s so fundamental. And humans' superpower among the primates is our ability to collaborate. Capitalism harnesses our urge to kill and dominate one another. If we can learn to harness our basic urge to collaborate instead, we'll be fine.
“We demystify the negative association of caring for someone”
We have a relationship of shared care in which he does most of the physical labour and I do more of the administrative or emotional labour. That´s where our strengths lie, if he struggles with how to handle a specific situation I will help him. People assume that he cares for me and I am his burden. But we care for each other. So people see him as this great guy, which he is, but not for being with a disabled woman. The work we do together often advocates for care–for yourself, within society and in a relationship. We highlight the importance of care and demystify the negative association of caring for someone.
Covid19: We Get Through This Together
A project to shift the narrative during the Covid19 pandemic from social-distancing to being social while keeping the distance.
We Get Through This Together: Be Amazing
A project to shift the narrative during the Covid19 pandemic from social-distancing to being social while keeping the distance.
„I don´t think there has been a more critical time in American history as far as an election goes.”
We went from Barack Obama, who was an amazing President, to Donald Trump, who always took the easy way with everything. By the time Barack Obama spent his last year in office you couldn’t walk around saying some of the things that Donald Trump says in press conferences. That kind of racism wasn´t allowed anymore. We were making progress as a country. Trump emboldened those racists. I´m not going to lie, it´s hard right now, but America will prevail in the end.
“Whatever happens around the world, it is all us”
I try to make the Asian community feel less alone and tell them they need to stay strong when they´re in a classroom with people who are judgmental, have prejudices and go to coronavirus-themed parties at the weekends. Everywhere people could have the mentality to make a coronavirus-themed party and think it would be fun. People die in Asia because of this. Why is this funny? How can you celebrate? It is a tragedy. Thousands of people get infected. Thousands of families get destroyed by this.
“This degree of unity is unparalleled in the modern history of Lebanon”
I’d even go as far as saying this degree of unity is unparalleled in the modern history of Lebanon. There was chanting, singing, dabke (folk dancing). Patriotic ballads filled the air. Food and coffee were available for all. Strangers greeted and came to the assistance of strangers. While the exasperations and frustrations are very much real the energy on the ground is positive and inspiring through and through. Women, in particular, have played a substantial role in this revolution, at the levels of organizing and mobilizing and sustaining that positive energy.
“They key is to combine affect and effect. ”
A lot of political art is about criticizing the world we live in today and that´s necessary but what is also necessary is to envision the world we want to inhabit. Activists have a hard time doing this and often artistic activists have a hard time doing this but we think it´s essential. Unless people can imagine the world they want to be a part of in the future they never will join with you in the present.
„I wrote this song to talk about a generation’s desire to leave the country with a broken heart“
Let alone the pressure from society because of the regime’s propaganda against women. I think Iranian women are one of the strongest in the world. They are highly educated and very successful in their lives despite all the things they’ve been through.
„I think there is a strong danger that Trump can be reelected“
There is a perception by many people that the economy is doing well under Trump, and I think that this is perhaps the most dangerous thing that people think, “Well, I don't like what he talks about, but he is good for the economy and so I will vote for him.” I don't agree with that analysis. I feel like the Trump economy has been riding on the tail winds of the economy that Obama basically saved from another Great Depression.
“I hope that Jewish life will become normal in a diverse society”
The narrative of the history always portraysthe Jews as victims who have experienced anti-Semitism, who have always suffered. People talk about the period from 1933 to 1945 and then perhaps about the Israel-Palestine conflict. But very little is said about how Jewish people have shaped the German society-- how many artists and scientists were Jewish. There are a lot of Jewish women in Germany and Austria who ran their salons and had interesting personalities.
Editorial Note: Europe & European Union
There have always been interchanges, one country drawing inspiration from another, one culture influencing others. Architecture, art, music, royal dynasties, the Middle Ages, the Age of Enlightenment, two World Wars, democracy, peace, equality, and social welfare. Great ideas were born in Europe. Big catastrophes took place. If you try to write about Europe you can never write about all that is important. Therefore, this issue can only crack the surface.
“The links between welfare and democracy are a matter of political will”
Politicians and policymakers are fond of suggesting that the present day welfare crisis might be “solved” by placing more responsibility on the shoulders of private actors, notably voluntary associations and families. Such claims are based on the widely shared but mistaken idea that state welfare has diminished the role of social action, as well as families’ self-reliance, and that therefore both must be reinvigorated.
„For Ireland, our heart and soul is in Europe, and we are staying.“
Ireland is obviously and proudly very Irish place. But it is also a very European place. That sense of Ireland wanting to be a part of the European family is very strong. You could see that again in the recent European elections. There is very steady and strong support for Europe, and it has become even stronger.
“Until we can acknowledge that there is hurt and blame on all sides, we can ever really move on.”
Until we can resolve and learn how to deal with the different narratives and acknowledge that different people and different groups had different experiences and there is hurt and blame on all sides; until we can do that I don’t know if we can ever really move on.
Muslim Europe: “There was a moment when there was a possibility of something else.“
A large part of the intellectual culture came via Arabic. A lot of the classical Greek and Roman texts were preserved by Arabic translation, which was then rediscovered by Christian Europe in the late Middle Ages.
“They are arriving because they have no choice”
In fact, what we know is that the whole of the majority of people who are arriving in Europe are people who are fleeing from conflict or violence. There are not choosing to come because of generous assistance.
“Brexit is one of the biggest heartbreaking moments in my life.”
Brexit was the most fantastic marketing campaign. They tapped into that emotion. Take back control, our money, our borders. It sounds cool. Brexit, an interesting word. But Remain sounded boring.
„My ideal Europe is one in which we care about each other even though we are from different countries“
We have come so accustomed to living together that we don´t think anymore in a national identity but a European identity. If we reach this state of caring about each other even though we are from different countries, this would be my ideal Europe.
„Democracy is a principle worth fighting for“
It´s a sad time for democracy. Not only has a very high-level principle been betrayed by both its opponents and its supposed friends, but it got also turned in a very shallow concept.
„Those who learn nothing from history are doomed to repeat it“
It has to grow together, which only works if the commandment of equality is respected and the people of Europe will finally become political sovereign.
Editorial Note: Sexualized violence and abuse
Everyone has the right to security of person. No one shall be held in slavery. No one shall be subjected to cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment. In this article you can find more information about sexualized violence, facts and numbers.
„It does not happen to a few children but to many children.“
Interview with Roman Löffler, Berliner Jungs. Berliner Jungs is a project, based in Germany, for boys who are threatened by or have experienced sexual violence. Prevention and consulting are the main parts of their work. We talked to Roman Löffler about their work...
„A society that lives on exploiting and suppressing people logically creates other forms of violence and dominance as well“
Interview with Thomas Schlingmann, founder of Tauwetter. Tauwetter is an organization for men, who experienced sexualized violence during their childhoods. The story of the non-profit organization is also a personal one.
„The abuse, which is very unpleasant, can be the biggest attention the person ever got.“
Interview with Mirka Schulz. Everyone can be the victim of sexualized violence and sexual abuse. Media determines what we see, and to them, sex usually happens “between people who are young, thin and blonde”.
„An attack to a migrant woman’s right to be safe is an attack to all women’s rights“
Interview with Illary Valenzuela of the Latin American Women’s Right Service. In late January Great Britain released a draft for a new domestic abuse bill, recognizing economic control as a part of domestic abuse.
„Homicide rates of Indigenous women were almost seven times higher than those of non-Aboriginal women.“
The impact of colonialism and underlying patriarchal values has been devastating to indigenous women and girls, devaluating their place in society and opening the door to violence against them.
We Get Through This Together: Anna Yardley
A project to shift the narrative during the Covid19 pandemic from social-distancing to being social while keeping the distance.
We Get Through This Together: Carmen Alas
A project to shift the narrative during the Covid19 pandemic from social-distancing to being social while keeping the distance.
We Get Through This Together: Shiv Kumar
A project to shift the narrative during the Covid19 pandemic from social-distancing to being social while keeping the distance.
We Get Through This Together: Kathryn Rosenberg
A project to shift the narrative during the Covid19 pandemic from social-distancing to being social while keeping the distance.
We Get Through This Together: Jason Gaudette
A project to shift the narrative during the Covid19 pandemic from social-distancing to being social while keeping the distance.
We Get Through This Together: Vivia Leigh
A project to shift the narrative during the Covid19 pandemic from social-distancing to being social while keeping the distance.
We Get Through This Together: Julia McCoy
A project to shift the narrative during the Covid19 pandemic from social-distancing to being social while keeping the distance.
We Get Through This Together: Reshma Joseph
A project to shift the narrative during the Covid19 pandemic from social-distancing to being social while keeping the distance.
We Get Through This Together: Megan Davies
A project to shift the narrative during the Covid19 pandemic from social-distancing to being social while keeping the distance.
We Get Through This Together: Marilyn Barr
A project to shift the narrative during the Covid19 pandemic from social-distancing to being social while keeping the distance.
We Get Through This Together: Favel Parrett
A project to shift the narrative during the Covid19 pandemic from social-distancing to being social while keeping the distance.
We Get Through This Together: Michelle Rose Diehl
A project to shift the narrative during the Covid19 pandemic from social-distancing to being social while keeping the distance.