#Remember0416
The social movement through art. Reflecting and remembering.
Social media is a huge part of our lives as the younger generation, and it has proved to serve as an amazing platform to raise awareness and communicate messages to people all over the world. The corruption and negligence of the government and adult figures that were exposed by the Sewol Ferry tragedy fueled the flame into a social media movement, often referred to as the “Yellow Ribbon Campaign.” Led by the youth, the hashtag #Remember0416 along with an illustration of a yellow ribbon began trending in South Korea. The yellow ribbon started spreading, and it soon became the main symbol of commemoration for the victims of the incident.
I remember I would spend hours looking through the different hashtags on Instagram and Twitter, admiring people’s artwork and interpretations of the yellow ribbon. There are numerous poems, calligraphy projects, and illustrations that really help people to understand the significance of what happened and constantly serve as reminders to never forget about the incompetence of the authorities.
The Whale
Along with the yellow ribbon, whales are used frequently in a lot of illustrations. The whale was included after a candle protest that occurred demanding justice from the government for the victims of the Sewol Ferry tragedy. The whale symbolizes miracles and is portrayed as a sort of guardian animal that the lost students follow to come back home to their families.
Poems
Poems and calligraphy became primary modes of artistic expression for the Yellow Ribbon campaign. Many independent poets and artists wrote/created viral poems and images that helped empathize with affected families and spread awareness of injustice and corruption.
“On your first birthday you grabbed the string, but maybe it was because I didn’t buy a new one and just used the old one. I had you when I was older that I wasn’t able to bear you for long, but maybe if I had bore you for one more month your fate would have changed. I am the sinner. I’m sorry that I couldn’t answer your last phone call because I was trying to make a couple more dollars. I’m sorry I’m not rich. I’m sorry that someone as beautiful as you had to be born into such a poor family. I’ll go to hell, daughter you can go to heaven.”
“Children as pretty as flowers, at the prime age of their blooming, flew away like flower petals. If you let your hand go, you will lose it. If you forget it in your thoughts, you will never remember it.”
“Words that could kill a person. Words that could even kill me. Please don’t tell me to sit and stay still. Whatever you tell me, just keep telling me to move. Even on the land. Even in the sea.”
“Just because the flowers withered doesn’t mean I’ve ever forgotten you.”
The Yellow Ribbon & Other Imagery
The Yellow Ribbon to Me
I have always felt strong passion and emotion towards the Sewol Ferry tragedy. I’m not completely sure where these feelings stem from, but I think that it mostly has something to do with the idea that I could have been any one of those students. Even though at the time of the event I was relatively young, I felt like I was able to understand the injustice of the situation and the lack of responsibility and care from the elites on a different level.
Despite the fact that this tragic event happened close to seven years ago, I know that it still plays a part in the way I am living my life right now. I consider myself to be a more risk-taking and spontaneous person, and am less hesitant towards expressing my feelings and care for the people that I love. Intellectually, I definitely have learned a lot not only about larger social issues, but also about my identity and who I am as a South Korean. Just in the fact that I have the ability to empathize and comprehend this incident as a Korean American, really speaks to how I identify with and value my culture.
My heart goes out to all of the innocent lives and bright dreams that were extinguished by those who were supposed to guide and protect. I will never forget what happened on April 16, 2014 and will always remember to not be still.
