Juan Cabrillo’s “Peace Flags” are among reminders of our recent past
By Caroline Thomas/Special to The Malibu Times
Six months ago the world watched as tragic American history unfolded. We were told-and believed-the world as we knew it would change. The world did change in many ways: lives lost, wars waged and security heightened, but this microcosm of Malibu life has mostly remained cocooned from these outside forces.
There are very few harsh reminders in our daily lives: a trip to the security-laden airport or a glimpse of the Point Mugu-based surveillance planes (the AWACS.) The welcome reminders of a nation united are also too few and far between; the ubiquitous patriotism aimed at Old Glory has subsided. Tributes are now limited to the openings of major sporting events: the Superbowl, Olympics and L.A. Marathon.
The brutal attacks had an affect on our Malibu children that was unimaginable to generations who had never witnessed an assault on U.S. soil. Young ones still speak about the planes and the buildings and the fires, and teachers’ hearts break when they have to face the questions of the once innocent youths.
Finding a unique outlet for her students became a mission for one creative teacher. Art instructor Sage Laskin decided to help Juan Cabrillo children find a safe medium for expression in their “Peace Flags,” as she calls them. “I asked students to paint whatever made them happiest,” says Laskin. “That was the only parameter I gave them.”
The results are colorful, hopeful and wonderfully expressive. The budding artists painted cathartic suns, rainbows, flags, happy faces and families. They depicted a world at peace-the world from the eyes of children.
Has the world changed? Have people changed? Has Malibu changed? There are so many different answers to those questions.
But while our adult reasoning lessens the pain over time, our children continue to remember that day with their keen and vivid minds. Reason enough to change the world for our children and ourselves.
We can continue to remember our losses by changing our world … for the better. It’s still okay to proudly fly Old Glory and be especially nice to our neighbors, our friends and our children. Those acts of patriotism and human spirit should never be out of vogue.