Quilts and Human Rights

Offers a new understanding of the history of global human rights through textiles of awareness and activism. Of all the textile forms linked to human rights activities, one form – the quilt - has proven an especially potent and popular form for individuals, working alone or as part of organised groups, to subversively or overtly act for human rights.

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Quilts and Human Rights offers a new understanding of the history of global human rights as seen through textiles of awareness and activism. Of all the textile forms linked to human rights activities, one form—the quilt—has proved an especially potent and popular form for individuals, working alone or as part of organized groups, to subversively or overtly act for human rights. Through a description of this activity over time and space, Quilts and Human Rights advances awareness of critical human rights issues: suffrage, race relations, civil wars, natural disasters, HIV/AIDs, and ethnic, sexual, and gender discrimination. Quilts and Human Rights pays tribute to the individuals who have used needle skills to prick the conscience and encourage action against human rights violations.