Vancouver youth KICK-ASS on diversity, anti-racism and cultural identity

I have never been so proud to be BROWN!

As many of you know, today is the International Day to Eliminate Racial Discrimination. And to our benefit, there are tons of celebrations around the WORLD. This evening marked the performance of COLOUR BLIND? Youth Confronting Racism at the Vancouver East Cultural Centre.

What’s so special about this one? Well ... I was at the Future of Multiculturalism in BC Dialogue and the “Imagine BC” Dialogue at the SFU Wosk Centre for Dialogue. But this performance, by youth for youth kicked ass! It was such a dramatic statement on racism and prejudice that the audience in the Q&A that followed (now’s that’s real dialogue) invited these 14-to-18 year-olds to perform at other venues, and to work with Vancouver teachers interested in learning the creative process involved. More was said in these two hours than in most of the “dialogue” at SFU! What these teens were creatively expressing was exactly what Trevor Phillips (the Chair of the Commission for Racial Equality in the UK) spoke about in his talk, "New Perspectives on Multiculturalism."

These high school students could certainly teach a thing or two about dialogue. Want to know what the future of Canada's diversity will be? Ask these teens, who know it will be the result of how THEY negotiate their differences, and express their unique cultural identities! If SCHEMA is about anything, it's these ethnic-cool Canadians!

I’m just saying that what has been missing is a FRESH dynamism on the topic of anti-racism that can only come from youth participation. And that's also why The Access To Media Education Society is just so empowering.

COLOUR BLIND? Youth Confronting Racism is a result of the project called Strengthening Identity Through Creativity: An Integrated Arts & Social Awareness Workshop for New Immigrant Youth, a 12-week workshop series (started in November 2004) aimed at breaking the cycle of isolation experienced by new immigrant youth. Peer-led dialogues addressing violence, racism and bullying had been integral in exploring strategies that empower new immigrant youth. “It prepares our young people for the future by giving them the freedom to question, the ability to think creatively, and the tools to express themselves.” Presented by the Multicultural Helping House Society in collaboration with Kathara Cultural Theatre Canada and Working Arts Society.

Watch the CBC's B|Connected story on The Access To Media Education Society. Coordinator Sara Kendell talks about Peer Perspectives and how it uses films produced by B.C. youth in workshops to explore issues, like racial discrimination, that matter.

CBC B|Connected