Chemp Carpenter Launches New Business in Support Of Palestine Victims
Amid scenes of destruction from the war in the Gaza Strip, senior Chemp Carpenter (they/them) has vowed to advocate for its victims by starting their own business, Pearlers for Palestine. “The number [of casualties] skyrockets every day. Just talking about it makes me upset because this is happening and nothing is being done about it,” said Carpenter. “I want to help anyway that I can.”
A frequent crafter and fan of the arts, Carpenter wanted to use their hobby to make an impact. “I loved making jewelry and always found it to be therapeutic,” they recalled. Thus, came the birth of Pearlers for Palestine, Carpenter’s jewelry business selling handmade bracelets, earrings, and stickers at affordable prices. Their current goal is to make at least $500 in sales. The earned proceeds will go towards food and water, medicine, and feminine hygiene products for the victims in Palestine. Since starting their business, Carpenter has hung flyers around campus for advertisement, but unfortunately found others had taken them down. “It bothers me because I feel like the victims are being silenced,” they expressed. “You can’t silence genocide, the victims, nor the victims’ families.”
Carpenter’s hope for Pearlers for Palestine is that it will “impact people’s mindsets and they will realize what’s happening. This business could be the push factor for other people to make their own charities.” They continued, “I think that I’m doing the bare minimum to be honest. I want to do my part because I care. What’s happening is wrong and those that are excusing it also wrong…I think that we should be raising awareness, the more people that are talking about it and engaging could make change. We are the future, we have the responsibility to make change happen.”
Pearlers for Palestine is set to be a vendor at this semester’s Music and Arts Festival hosted by Program Council in April. There, students will be able to purchase jewelry and receive educational information about the ongoing issues in not only Palestine, but Congo as well. Carpenter is most looking forward to “having everyone together as a community.”
As an anthropology major, Carpenter aspires to be an archaeologist, noting that activism is a major part of the field. They are currently pursuing a post-grad full-time position doing archaeological field and lab work.
Those that are looking for more information on how to support Pearlers for Palestine can contact Chemp Carpenter via email c1carpenter@student.bridgew.edu.
