The oral histories in Throwing Stones at the Moon describe the most widespread of Colombia’s human rights crises: forced displacement. These accompanying lesson plans explore the cultural, political, and emotional realities of being forced from one’s home or country of origin. Students are asked to contemplate definitions of “home” as they personalize the plight of narrators who carry “home” on their backs or in their hearts. Students will explore the following questions:
- How do personal narratives from displaced persons differ from dominant narratives?
- How does creative expression help us empathize with the experience of refugees and displaced people?
Grades: Flexible and adaptable for middle school and high school.
Time Needed: Entire curriculum covers about 1.5 weeks of class time. However, each lesson can be taught separately.
Objectives:
- Students will develop critical thinking, literacy, and communication skills through reading and discussing personal narratives.
- Students will develop a deeper, empathic understanding of the realities of being a displaced person through analysis, discussion, and creative responses.
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The truth about the endless violence that has driven four million Colombians from their homes is, beyond doubt, one of the greatest untold stories of our generation. We are indebted to the editors of Throwing Stones at the Moon: Narratives from Colombians Displaced by Violence for recording the courageous stories of survivors across this beautiful and deeply troubled country. May their invaluable testimonies get the attention they deserve, and thus break the silence.
Jan Egeland
Former UN Under Secretary General and Envoy to Colombia
About the Oral Histories
Since 1964, Colombia has been embroiled in internal armed conflict among guerrilla groups, paramilitary militias, and the country’s own military. Civilians in Colombia face a range of abuses from all sides, including killings, disappearances and rape—and more than four million have been forced to flee their homes. The oral histories in Throwing Stones at the Moon describe the most widespread of Colombia’s human rights crises: forced displacement. Speakers recount life before displacement, the reasons for their flight, and their struggle to rebuild their lives.
See Displaced in Colombia, a multimedia project and educators’ toolkit
Displaced in Colombia is a multimedia project that brings together oral history and documentary photography to explore contemporary first-person stories of people impacted by the decades-long violence in Colombia.
For over fifty years, Colombia has been embroiled in internal armed conflict among guerrilla groups, paramilitary militias, and the country’s own military. Civilians in Colombia have faced a range of abuses from all sides, including killings, disappearances, and rape—and more than four million have been forced to flee their homes.
