Drawing About Justice: Children Lead the Way
In August, the Silver Spring Service Consolidation Hub at Clifton Park Baptist Church became more than a place for food distribution, it became a place for asking big questions. Over four sessions, IMPACT Network Builder Richard Pascagaza invited children to sit down with crayons and paper and respond to the prompt: “What does justice mean for you?”
The goal was simple but powerful: to encourage children (and, through them, their families) to begin reflecting on the meaning of justice in their lives and communities. As Richard explained, “I thought to myself, ‘Why don’t we do some art? Maybe music. Something that is easy to do is drawing. It’s inexpensive—purchase paper and crayons and a little space to do it. Art definitely opens doors. It’s a really easy way to connect and present difficult ideas and make them easier for reflection.’”
Small Hands, Big Ideas
Nearly 90 children, from preschoolers to pre-teens, participated. Some sat quietly, thinking hard before putting crayon to paper, while others talked through their ideas as they drew. The images that emerged reflected a wide range of perspectives: justice as kindness and respect, as equal treatment, as caring for animals, as imprisonment for wrongdoers, and for some, as a divine principle. Parents often joined in, guiding their children through difficult questions like “What does justice mean?”
For Richard, these moments were powerful. “The purpose was to allow the reflection on justice. This reflection should start when you’re a child. You don’t just start reflecting on what is justice when something happens to you like losing your job,” he said. One drawing that stood out to him came from a young boy from Brazil. “He said, ‘This is God. God is justice.’ Another kid drew a house. I said, oh my goodness, for him to live in a house, this is justice. There are no wrong answers.”
There was also the moment of a little girl who admitted she didn’t know what justice was. Richard encouraged her to ask her mom, and together they returned to the table. “Her mom came back with her, and together they talked as she drew,” Richard recalled. “And I thought to myself, oh—this is working!”
From Reflection to Exhibition
The activity culminated in an art exhibition on August 20 and 21, where the children’s drawings were displayed for the entire community. Before entering, visitors were invited to pause and consider the same question posed to the children: “What does justice mean for you?” This invitation opened space for deeper conversation about the absence of justice in society, government accountability, and hopes for a more equitable future.
Through crayons and creativity, IMPACT helped children and families begin conversations about justice that connect deeply to our mission: advancing racial and economic equity in Montgomery County by building spaces where reflection leads to action.
