Resources for Processing and Writing About War

By Girls Write Now

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As we continue to process our experiences of war and displacement, use these resources to help guide your discussions and writing about the topic.

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Discussion Resources

Writing Our Way Through War: Poetry for Processing Lesson Plan

Israel and Palestine:

Resources For Educators, Families To Discuss The Events In Israel And Gaza With Students from San Diego County Office of Education (October 7, 2023)

Books to Understand the Israel-Palestine Conflict from Penguin Random House

How to talk to your children about conflict and war from UNICEF

Handle With Care: Supporting Young People During Crises from SPLC, Learning for Justice

Addressing Anti-Semitic Hate with Students from SPLC, Learning for Justice

Countering Islamophobia from SPLC, Learning for Justice

Ukraine:

Conflict in Ukraine Resource Guide from NYCDOE (Last modified April 18, 2022)

Resources to Discuss the Events in Ukraine from San Diego County Office of Education (February 24, 2022)

Thank You, Dr. Mary Beck: Meet the Trailblazing Ukrainian American Councilwoman Who Saved My Family by Vera Sirota

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Watch our Salon, Belonging: From Refugee to Hollywood with Sepideh Moafi

Prompt #1: Finding Home

Define Home — what does it mean to you?
Where is home? What does it look like? What does it feel like — Smell? Taste? Sound?
What was your relationship to home when you were 10-years-old? What’s your relationship to home now?
How has your perception or relationship to the feeling of home changed over time? How has it changed since entering lockdown and adopting social-distancing rules?
Describe your first memory of feeling at home.

Prompt #2: Where Do I Belong?

What does it mean to belong?
What gives you a sense of belonging? When do you feel like you belong? And where?
Do you think we as humans need to have a sense of belonging? Why/why not?
Who do you feel has a strong sense of belonging? What does that look like in them?
When was the last time you felt a sense of belonging? Describe this memory.

Prompt #3: Music and Free Write

Allow the themes of home and belonging to stay with you while you close your eyes and listen to the music. Try to sit or lie down in a position where your body can remain open (uncrossed legs, arms relaxed to your side, relax shoulders and jaw). Let your imagination go wild. After two minutes (I will cue us in), begin free writing. Jot down anything that comes up, even if it doesn’t seem to make sense or seems unrelated. Keep writing the entire time, and try to maintain a connection to the music while you write.

Sepideh Moafi

Sepideh Moafi, actor, singer, writer, producer & humanitarian is well-known for David Simon & George Pelecanos’ critically acclaimed series The Deuce on HBO & currently stars as Gigi in The L Word: Generation Q on Showtime. She starred in The Killing of Two Lovers opposite Clayne Crawford, a 2020 Sundance Film Festival Favorite that was lauded in ‘Best of’ lists for Variety, The Hollywood Reporter & The LA Times. Hailed by the NY Times as “forthright & funny, the cast standout” Sepideh’s stage work spans from original off-Broadway musicals, to the great roles in plays and operas in leading theaters around the world. She’s had the honor to sing with the NY Philharmonic, at Davis Symphony Hall & The John F. Kennedy Center. Born in a refugee camp in Germany, Sepideh has a passion & commitment to advocate for refugees & immigrants who are in vulnerable situations worldwide. As an ambassador for both The International Rescue Committee (IRC) & the NYC Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, she dedicated the last year to creating unique celebrations & opportunities to benefit both organizations. She holds a Bachelor of Music from The San Francisco Conservatory of Music & and a MFA in Acting from U.C. Irvine.