Katharine Abbott

2026 Student Art Contest: Senior Division, First Place

11th Grade – The Northwest School, Seattle, WA

In a time when the rule of law is being ignored by those who promised to uphold it, it is more important than ever to speak out for justice and equality. However, in our divided country it often feels as though the pursuit of justice has been radicalized and even made out to be the problem in our society, rather than the step to a solution that it is.

This could not be farther from the truth, as Minoru Yasui demonstrated in his own battle for justice, when he fought the discriminatory laws that targeted his fellow Japanese Americans. Yasui understood that obstacles would need to be overcome to achieve immediate change, while making sure his community and others knew that their voices too could be heard with perseverance. 

In my piece, Leading By Example, I used a collage of traditional Japanese prints to honor Minoru Yasui’s heritage, and ballpoint pen to depict what I believe is the only way to counter destructive narratives and uphold the rule of law: speaking out louder than ever to inspire our future leaders to use their voices to uphold the rule of law. I wanted to illustrate the act of speaking out, with the children in the collage learning and participating in a march for justice, following the path that Yasui and others have forged for them. 

We live in a time when fear of retaliation has silenced many voices. It is crucial that we take action now to demonstrate again the power of protest.