MOLD MAGAZINE
Amidst the ongoing genocide and starvation campaign against Gaza, organizations like MOLD Magazine harness the power of design and food to amplify the voices of the oppressed and catalyze movements for freedom. MOLD's “Palestine” page features poetic articles and interviews of artists and authors. I prompt my fellow students to visit the magazine's site for themselves to read, learn, and advocate.
At the heart of MOLD's creative resistance lies a deep commitment to challenging the status quo and reclaiming Palestinian identity by preserving food traditions. Through projects such as “Bread and Salt” or "Humanity's Silent Alley,” MOLD illuminates Palestinian traditions and empowers communities to resist colonial forces. The cultural significance of food traditions in Palestine and the ability of design to help preserve those traditions is perfectly encapsulated through the curated articles published through MOLD Magazine.
The leading voice at MOLD calling for a Free Palestine is the editor and founder, LinYee Yuan, whose essay "In Support of a Free Palestine: Connecting Land, Food, and Freedom" serves as a rallying cry for solidarity. Yuan's words transcend the page, weaving a narrative of resistance that exposes the insidious mechanisms of oppression perpetuated by the Israeli government. By highlighting the denial of water rights to Palestinian farmers and the destruction of ancient olive groves, Yuan lays bare the systemic violence inflicted upon the Palestinian people in their struggle for liberation.
Yet, the fight for liberation in Palestine extends beyond agriculture and cuisine; it encompasses every aspect of life, intersecting heavily with design. Sari Khoury's Philokalia wine project exemplifies this ethos, using indigenous grape varietals to reclaim a narrative of tradition and craftsmanship amidst occupation. Through his innovative approach to winemaking, Khoury challenges the hegemony of colonial forces and creates spaces for Palestinian expression and creativity.
MOLD also amplifies the voices of grassroots activists like Vivien Sansour, whose work with the Palestine Heirloom Seed Library (PHSL) embodies the spirit of defiance against colonization. Through the preservation of Palestinian biodiversity and cultural heritage, Sansour and her allies reclaim stolen land and challenge the erasure of Palestinian identity. Theirs is a story of resilience and resistance, where seeds become symbols of hope in the face of environmental degradation and cultural appropriation.
University of Oregon students can meet LinYee Yuan and hear her speak at the upcoming HOPES conference in April. The HOPES conference serves as a vital nexus where sustainable design intersects with the broader discourse on structural justice and liberation, particularly in the context of student activism. Through Yuan's participation, attendees gain insights into MOLD's advocacy for sustainability, food equality, and Palestinian liberation, including its emphasis on food sovereignty, cultural preservation, and resistance to imperial oppression. Moreover, the conference allows attendees to engage directly with the principles and strategies underlying MOLD's work, fostering collaboration and solidarity among activists, scholars, and artists dedicated to advancing the cause of sustainable design and structural analysis. In this way, the HOPES conference amplifies and strengthens MOLD's efforts to catalyze social change and challenge dominant narratives of oppression in Palestine and beyond.
As Jamie McGoldrick, the United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator for Occupied Palestine, warns of catastrophic levels of hunger in Gaza, the urgency of the Palestinian struggle has never been more palpable. MOLD advocacy is increasingly essential, especially in the context of hunger. In the face of such adversity, organizations like MOLD provide a beacon of hope, rallying individuals worldwide to stand in solidarity with Palestine by preserving traditions and challenging structural oppression.