CAGES

Empowering Voices and Building Community.

The concept of "cages" can take many forms. It can be the cages on estates in England where kids play football, the ones in the favelas of Brazil where the next Ronaldinho hones his skills, or the literal cages of prison where those who have been incarcerated spend their time. It can be the metaphorical cages in Palestine, where people are trapped with no voice to be heard. Cages also take the form of jewellery we wear, symbols of entrapment in their own right, and the shackles of slavery that bind the past to the present, a reminder of how oppression can be physically and psychologically restraining.

When you find yourself in a place of entrapment, all you dream of is escape—freedom from the cages. But what if these cages were never there in the first place? What if those who are trapped were given the guidance and opportunity to break free, leading to successes no different from those of individuals who’ve never known confinement?

The value of Cages lies in recognising the shared struggle of those who are caged, so that both those within can be heard and those outside can listen. It's about fostering an understanding that the fight for freedom is not just for the individual, but for the collective. Over time, those cages will open, and all can be free.

To create real change, we must give hope, opportunity, and a voice to those facing hardships. Instead of treating their experiences as isolated struggles, we should recognise the shared stories and solutions they offer.

Rather than listening only within biased circles, we can unite these voices into one powerful message. Young people facing challenges should teach us, not the other way around. By presenting their experiences collectively, we amplify their impact and transform them into a majority voice.

Despite celebrating underdog success stories, we often forget the methods that helped them thrive. These young individuals have faced difficulties that we should not judge but learn from. By giving them the right tools, we can help them unlock their potential.

With shared opportunities comes shared hope, leading to a supportive community where feelings of struggle and success are normalised. This community can provide the relief and recognition that has long been owed to those who feel ignored.

To truly address societal issues, we need to foster love and kindness first. By creating an environment rich in hope and opportunity, we eliminate excuses for crime and allow for fair judgment.

Currently, fear and desperation overshadow the fortunate world we live in. We aim to shift this perspective with an objective lens that fosters understanding and compassion.

Let us break free from the constraints that hold us back and strive for a peaceful, united existence.