About this episode
JC, a Karen illustrator and activist, shares her journey from Myanmar to the Netherlands and her experiences with ethnic conflict and storytelling through art.
Episode #530: “I don't want to live under fear, obeying [the military]. I could survive, but would be in fear, like every movement I would feel I don't have freedom, and I think I don't want that for myself,” says JC, a Karen illustrator and activist now based in the Netherlands. Raised in Yangon, JC was unaware of Myanmar’s civil war due to school propaganda. Only after moving to Thailand to be near her father did she learn the extent of ethnic conflict and oppression. Seeing refugee camps and hearing stories of the Karen struggle left her angry and determined to understand more. JC earned a communications degree in Bangkok and initially envisioned a career in journalism. A political science course taught by a former prisoner, combined with life among marginalized migrant workers, deepened her sense of purpose. She returned to Myanmar during its brief democratic opening, working with a civil society group serving Karen communities. That optimism collapsed with the 2021 coup. Turning to illustration after protest and journalism became too dangerous, JC found a new outlet for storytelling. “By doing illustration, I feel like I'm contributing,” she says. Inspired by editorial art…
People in this episode
Guest: JC
Topics covered
- ethnic conflict
- illustration
- activism
- personal story
- Myanmar politics
- refugee experience
Keywords
- Karen
- illustration
- Myanmar
- activism
- refugee
- civil war
- journalism
- 2021 coup
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Karen, Bangkok
Places: Myanmar, Yangon, Thailand
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