ysabetwordsmith (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-06-23 05:11 pm
ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-06-23 05:11 pm
Communication
Americans share their hopes for the country on 'wish walls' nationwide. The responses are surprisingly unifying
On July 4, 2026, the United States of America will celebrate its 250th birthday. To prepare for the big celebration, museums across the country are inviting the public to answer the question: “What’s your wish for America’s future?”
In a project designed by 26-year-old artist Katie Costa and developed by Made By Us, a nonprofit that promotes civic engagement among Gen-Z, thousands are responding.
Birthday wishes are a thriving custom. However, there can more to this than idle wishing. If you are an activist looking for a project, and you see a wish wall, stop to read it. Look for common threads. These are topics that people find interesting, which means they can provide inspiration for new projects. One area might be all about affordable housing while another worries more about climate change. Look at the phrasing and think how you can frame your message along those lines. Think of some things you could do to move in that direction, and then do the next little thing toward it.
Wish walls are not new, they've been around for ages -- honestly, looking at some rock art and cave paintings, probably as long as Homo sapiens and possibly even before that. But sometimes there's a big surge of activity in wish walls, and that's always interesting.
Want to make your own? It's easy. You need a surface to write on and matching implements to write with: a chalkboard and chalk (colored is helpful but white is fine), a whiteboard and markers, mural paper and markers or crayons, etc. Some people like to do it with sidewalk chalk on pavement. Then put a banner or header that says "Wish Wall" and simple instructions. It's popular to take pictures periodically.
On July 4, 2026, the United States of America will celebrate its 250th birthday. To prepare for the big celebration, museums across the country are inviting the public to answer the question: “What’s your wish for America’s future?”
In a project designed by 26-year-old artist Katie Costa and developed by Made By Us, a nonprofit that promotes civic engagement among Gen-Z, thousands are responding.
Birthday wishes are a thriving custom. However, there can more to this than idle wishing. If you are an activist looking for a project, and you see a wish wall, stop to read it. Look for common threads. These are topics that people find interesting, which means they can provide inspiration for new projects. One area might be all about affordable housing while another worries more about climate change. Look at the phrasing and think how you can frame your message along those lines. Think of some things you could do to move in that direction, and then do the next little thing toward it.
Wish walls are not new, they've been around for ages -- honestly, looking at some rock art and cave paintings, probably as long as Homo sapiens and possibly even before that. But sometimes there's a big surge of activity in wish walls, and that's always interesting.
Want to make your own? It's easy. You need a surface to write on and matching implements to write with: a chalkboard and chalk (colored is helpful but white is fine), a whiteboard and markers, mural paper and markers or crayons, etc. Some people like to do it with sidewalk chalk on pavement. Then put a banner or header that says "Wish Wall" and simple instructions. It's popular to take pictures periodically.
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