From Nov. 6–8, IU Indianapolis’ Multicultural Center hosted the “Tunnel of Awareness,” a three day, student-led experience highlighting social justice issues and encouraging dialogue from audience members.
The 2024 event marks 10 years of the Tunnel experience at IUI, though it is the first year it is named the “Tunnel of Awareness,” as it was previously the “Tunnel of Oppression.” The past decade of Tunnel has included over 2,500 participants, 200 volunteers and 35 classroom reservations to make these productions possible.
The Tunnel of Oppression originated at Western Illinois University in 1994 and inspired adaptations of the program across the country, spreading to IUI in 2014. Through the course of its existence, it has been conveyed in various mediums, covering topics relevant to its audiences.
The Wednesday, Nov. 6 event entailed poster presentations in the Campus Center. Social Justice Scholars with the Multicultural Center chose topics they were passionate about and developed brief overviews to educate attendees.
These presentations included Allison Hyche’s report on “Displaced Roots: The Displacement of Black Families, Culture and Businesses on Indiana Avenue,” Awwal Adedokun’s report on “Black Men Mental Health and Stereotypes,” Havva Koksal’s report on “Profound effects forced displacement (due to war) has on youth” and Kennedy Halliburton’s “Music Deserts.”
On Thursday, Nov. 7, Tunnel Screenings were hosted in the Campus Center Theater. The screening began with a “Waiting Room” showing written and produced by Havva Koksal. Koksal’s short film highlighted humanitarian issues in Palestine and Eritrea, and the impact forced displacement has childrens’ livelihoods in these countries.
Koksal’s production included her interview with Teklit Fecadu, a man forced to leave Eritrea due to the Eritrean-Ethiopian War from 1998 to 2000. After turning 18, Fecadu received a notice to surrender and join the Ethiopian military, and the consequences of refusing meant he would be prosecuted like many others. He was left with no choice but to flee to a neighboring country, Sudan, by foot, in what was a thirteen day journey. Koksal asked Fecadu about the impacts this had on his mental health, education and outlook on life.
The “Waiting Room” video concluded with a statement which read, “Teklit's story reflects the experiences of countless children impacted by war. Around the world, numerous genocides are ongoing—in Palestine, Sudan, Congo, among the Rohingya and many more. It is crucial to stay informed and advocate for the lives of those who can’t.”
The screening then continued with its live, onscreen theater production. This was made possible through a partnership with The Sapphire Theatre Company. who assisted with creating scripts and selecting actors. There were three different scenes portrayed by three actors via Zoom, all of which assumed the same name yet different personalities to fit each scene.
Participants were encouraged to engage with what they were watching by commenting on the live YouTube stream or texting a number which connected to it. After each scene, the facilitator addressed these comments, and brought back the actors, still in character, to respond to participant comments and questions.
The three scenes covered different topics relevant to IUI students. The first scene, developed by the Social Justice Education Team and The Sapphire Theatre Company, was titled, “The Stigma of Suicide in the Greiving Process.” This scene highlighted the impacts that death by suicide has on those left behind and how grieving processes differ based on the individual, their upbringing and understanding of mental health issues, and their unique circumstances.
The next scene, developed by Social Justice Scholar (SJS) Camryn Bembry was titled, “Indigenous Communities: NAGPRA & Museum Reparations.”
The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act of 1990 (NAGPRA) was enacted to encourage dialogue between Native American tribes and museums with requirements to notify tribes within six months of receiving items and to file a notice with the National Park Service.
However, it was not entirely successful and it was not until December of 2023 when the U.S. Department of the Interior declared a final ruling for NAGPRA which officially required museums and federal agencies to strengthen the authority of Native American tribes regarding their own artifacts, require informed consent from Native American tribes, and to increase transparency regarding unreported artifacts, among other things.
Thus, Bembry’s scene encouraged viewers to question the rightful place of artifacts: Is it the museum who legally purchased the items or the original owners who find spiritual and religious value to the item?
After engaging with the audience once more, the final scene began, exploring “Modern-Day Slavery: US Justice System” by SJS Carmen Cundiff. This scene explored how inmates in the criminal justice system are subject to laborious tasks that are harmful to their wellbeing. As inmates, minimum wage regulations do not apply to them and they can make anywhere from twelve to forty cents an hour. This scene highlighted how this system can be a legalized version of slavery which has historically overrepresented minority communities, particularly African Americans.
“Education starts with conversation. You cannot be educated about something if you do not go out there and get it. You also cannot be silent about your pain. ‘They'll kill you and say you enjoyed it.’ That’s from Zora Neale Hurston,” said senior Kennedy Halliburton, the SJS who facilitated the post-screening reflection discussion.
Reflecting on the screenings as a first-time viewer, I believe the message was well-received by the audience. The format of the screenings were very unique and, admittedly, I had not expected it to consist of live actors and audience engagement through live commentary. I find that the unconventional nature of this production is precisely what made it so captivating throughout each scene.
Community advocate and SJS Lakyah Berry helped put this event together.
“I think that a goal of Tunnel is to make people realize how interconnected we all are and so even if you are not someone who has a brother or a sibling or was a child during a war or was displaced because of it, it’s still good to be open minded to the kind of impacts that experience may have on someone,” said Berry. “Just because you may not have experienced it, doesn't mean it doesn’t impact you.” While each scene concluded with a discussion there was no call to action, which the facilitator addressed, saying that the topics were chosen to empower audience members to think and reflect on the topics, and feel inspired to seek solutions of their own.
The final event of the three-day series was on Friday, Nov. 8 at the IU McKinney School of Law where Social Justice Advocates and other volunteers wrote letters to incarcerated fathers. This concluding event was the service project to provide an opportunity for community-based action after educating participants for the two preceding days.
“Don’t come in with a closed mind or feel like you know what it’s going to be like. Come in fully open and ready to immerse yourself in these lived experiences because a lot of the identities that are showcased are not identities that are our own,” Berry advised participants.
In retrospect, the Tunnel of Awareness was a spectacular initiative to educate, inspire and act as a community on relevant issues. As the daughter of an immigrant, an ethnic and religious minority and a purpose-driven individual, I like to consider myself a product of the American Dream and a student of justice. My background and life experiences have molded my purpose in life to serve others and the Tunnel of Awareness aligns with just that.
Addressing complex issues such as the criminal “justice” system, mental health, war and displacement and racial disparities is critical in educating and raising a generation of leaders and independent thinkers.
“Even if it is an uncomfortable thing, uncomfortability creates growth so being brave enough to speak about your experiences but also being aware enough to look up the things that are not affecting you because regardless of if you share someone’s identity it still affects you the same,” said Halliburton.
Amazing work by Social Justice Scholars Anam Chaudhry, Kennedy Halliburton, Anira Joseph, Jaxson Nielson, Lakyah Berry, Allison Hyche, Havva Koskal, Alexandria Edmonds, Camryn Bembry, Carmen Cundiff, Keaun Michael Brown, Awwal Adeodokun, Rou Seini, Makaela Watkins as well as the Director of Social Justice Scholars Precious Majors and the Social Justice and Multicultural Center Specialist Shonda Nicole Gladden and all others who made these productions possible through their time, efforts and dedication for a more inclusive society.
I urge students to participate and lead these initiatives when the opportunity arises. If you missed out this time around, you can still read this year’s Tunnel of Awareness curriculum guide. Stay updated by following @sjed_iui and @sapphiretheatre on Instagram, and, if you are interested in becoming a future Social Justice Scholar, you can apply here.
Salsabil F. Qaddoura is an undergraduate student on a pre-law track. She is passionate about public service and volunteerism to better our communities and the world.
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