We wear the mask that grins and lies,
It hides our cheeks and shades our eyes,
This debt we pay to human guile;
With torn and bleeding hearts we smile,
And mouth with myriad subtleties.
Why should the world be over-wise,
In counting all our tears and sighs?
Nay, let them only see us, while
We wear the mask.
We Wear the Mask excerpt by Paul Laurence Dunbar
and so this past year's project with 7th/8th graders from Cohen Hillel Academy & Salem Academy Charter School in partnership with the Peabody Essex Museum concluded in wrapping up a year long examination considering the meaning of identity and culture through a review of various types of masks from the past and present: what are different types of masks? is a mask liberating or constraining? is wearing a mask a choice of a necessity?
guided by these questions and the museum's connecting community philosophy to "present and interpret works of art and culture in ways that connect art to the world, the program kicked off with and examination of maya angelou's poem "the mask" with ensuing sessions allowing students to reflect on the historical, culture and personal impact of masks through the use of museum exhibits, film, poetry, guided activities, presentations and discussion.
the project culminated in student's creating personal masks that demonstrated an understanding of the way we define ourselves, and the way we are defined by others.
