Deconstructing Prejudiced Narratives Through Participatory Musical Engagement

Abstract

Political and popular narratives in northern Thailand from the 1950s largely glossed over all non-Thai highland groups under the monolithic “Hilltribe” label as destroyers of national forests, drug trade enablers, and communist harbourers. Karen activists and NGOs have, over the past few decades, had some success in challenging the label, adding nuance and understanding to the diversity of highland groups, and reframing the Karen in particular as indigenous and eco-friendly champions of the environment. Yet in the hot season of 2020 when the nation (and region) experienced its worst air pollution in recent memory, old tropes were resurrected in the media and by government officials as highlander’s agricultural practices were blamed as the source of the pollution. Seeking to encourage critical media consumption, enable cross-cultural understanding, and humanise a stigmatised population, Chi Suwichan organised a musical project bringing two schools together to learn from, with, and about each other. This project argues for and also demonstrates the power of musical collaboration as an alternative and participatory tool for intercultural engagement, challenging misconceptions, deconstructing narratives, and leveraging peer-to-peer relationships for social and environmental change.