Launch of Racism. Stop it! Action 2000 New Initiative Mobilizes Youth Against Racism
OTTAWA, April 21, 1999 -- Secretary of State (Multiculturalism) (Status of Women), Hedy Fry, today launched the Racism. Stop It! Action 2000 initiative. It is a special millennium initiative which invites young people to participate in an activity which will contribute to the elimination of racism.Teams of three to six young people (between the ages of 15 and 24) in communities across the country are being invited to take up one of 21 Stop Racism challenges. "By mobilizing youth in the struggle against racism, we are giving a clear message that intolerance and racism have no place in the 21st century," said Dr. Fry. "With this new initiative we are reaffirming our commitment to equality, respect and diversity."
This initiative is unique in that it was designed by youth for youth. In the fall of 1998, 77 individuals from across the country took part in a two-and-a-half day National Youth Planning Forum to develop the 21 Stop Racism challenges. Their message to the organizers was: "Give us the tools, and we'll stop racism ourselves." The 10 outstanding teams will be featured at an international Stop Racism concert and awards program to be broadcast on March 21, 2000.
"As we enter the new millennium, it is the youth of the world who stand poised to lead us out of the intolerance of the past which too often results in terrible human suffering," said Dr. Fry.
The Racism. Stop It! Action 2000 initiative was developed by the Multiculturalism Program of the Department of Canadian Heritage in association with the YWCA of Canada and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada. The Action 2000 initiative builds on the continued success of the March 21 campaign and its annual Stop Racism National Video Competition which attracts hundreds of entries each year. In addition, all Canadians are encouraged to sign the Cyberpetition to Help Stop Racism and whose goal is to obtain 2.1 million signatures by March 21, 2000.
Individuals interested in participating as a team can contact the March21 Toll-Free Hotline at 1-888-MARCH21, (1-888-627-2421).
Information:
Artur Wilczynski
Executive Assistant
Office of the Secretary of State
(Multiculturalism) (Status of Women)
(819) 997-9900
BACKGROUNDER
The 21 Challenges
1. RAISE THE 'ANTI' ON RACISM
Organize a fundraising activity where the proceeds would be donated to a registered humanitarian charity of your choice. An example of a fundraising activity would be an anti-racism car wash (for example, we wash cars of ALL Colours!).
2. MULTICULTURALISM IS BEAUTIFUL
Create a beautification project in your community which is representative of Canada's diversity. You might create a giant wall mural inside or outside of a building, graffiti a part of town or a specific building/monument with positive anti-racism messages, build a peace garden, etc. (don't forget to get the appropriate permission for this!).
3. DIVERSITY. . .WRITE ON!
Create a publication which examines the cultural diversity of our nation and the benefits to Canadian society. This can be done through poems, stories, comic strips or interviews either in the traditional format or on the Internet. The publication can be anything from a children's book to an anti-racism magazine.
4. THE SOUND OF MULTICULTURALISM
Compose a song which speaks out against racism and discrimination. You might try getting your local radio station to hold a song contest, or having a well-known performer or a sponsor endorse your song. Together with your Team, ensure that your song is heard at as many events as possible.
5 . IF I WERE YOU AND YOU WERE ME . . .
Through your school or a community organization arrange a weekend exchange for your Team with individuals from different cultural backgrounds. Show what you discovered by walking a mile in someone else's shoes. You can tape it, write about it or use other creative ways to share the importance of what you have experienced.
6. GAMES PEOPLE PLAY
Do some research on games that are played by youth from other countries and arrange for the games to be played between different communities or schools. Invite individuals from organizations of the countries whose games you have selected to play. Invite your local media to attend and then broadcast this sharing of diverse ways to have fun.
7. THE NOT SO TRIVIAL PURSUIT
Create a game in any format that examines facts on the different cultures representative of Canadian society and their contributions to Canada. The game can be either a traditional board game for children or adults, an Internet game, an electronic game, etc.
8. A SHOW OF HANDS
Using a variety of paints, collect the hand print of as many prominent people in your community, for example: politicians, media personalities, artists, athletes. In a high traffic area, create a public display of these symbolic gestures and personal stands against racism. Consider challenging another Team to collect as many hand prints as possible.
9. ONE WORLD, ONE PASSPORT
Create an interactive quiz with answers that can only be found through visiting various places in the community, for example: different places of worship, ethnic community centres, immigrant serving agencies, places in the private sector, non-government organizations, service clubs, etc. A passport containing the quiz can be issued to all participating teams and completed answers can be stamped. For something different, incorporate a scavenger hunt rather than a 'quiz' in this Challenge.
10. A SNAP SHOT OF DIVERSITY
Organize a photo competition with judges from a wide range of sectors in the community, for example: media personalities, photo companies. The objective would be to take photos depicting multiculturalism in action in your community. Create a public display in a prominent area.
11. DESIGNS ON DIVERSITY
Be fashionably hip! Take this opportunity to design and sew that cool article of clothing you think says multiculturalism. Organize a competition and get local fashion designers and clothing manufacturers to donate materials and equipment and be judges.
12. ANTI-RACISM. . .ACT IT OUT!
Write and direct a play based on anti-racism principles, or highlighting your views on diversity. Try to get support from local theatre companies. Entrance fee could be based on whatever people want to pay.
13. THE STORY OF CANADA . . . A MISSING PIECE
Research and write on some aspect of Canadian history that incorporates historical details on ethnic and racial minority communities not presently represented in standard school curricula today. Use this to show how Canada has evolved into the multicultural country of today.
14. DIVERSITY DANCE-A-THON
Learn a dance from another culture and engage other groups to see who can continue their newly acquired skills the longest. Try to get judges from a wide variety of sectors in the community, for example: TV personalities, ethnic groups, dance companies.
15. WALK THE TALK
Organize a march against racism in your community and link up with youth from other communities across your region, or march in relays to demonstrate your commitment to anti-racism. Encourage local businesses to donate to the event, for example: drinks, t-shirts, etc.
16. ANTI-RACISM COMMERCIAL
Create an anti-racism commercial for radio, television or newspaper and try to get your local media to broadcast or print it.
17. ORGANIZE A MULTICULTURAL FASHION SHOW
Organize a fashion show depicting what young people around the world wear. Explore how these clothing items are worn in Canada today, what they are made of, how they are worn, why they are worn, etc.
18. ANTI-RACISM . . . SPEAK IT!
Organize a public speaking contest on anti-racism. Try to get judges from the local media, theatre companies, anti-racism organizations, etc. Presentations can focus on how the participants would eliminate racism, personal experiences of racism, benefits of diversity, etc.
19. SIGN ON TO THE CYBERPETITION
Organize a unique event in your school to get all students and teachers to sign the Cyberpetition on the Action 2000 Web site
20. CANADIAN CULTURE ON CANVAS
Organize an art exhibit that celebrates cultural diversity in Canada. Try to secure the works of local artists in your community. Display the exhibit at local art galleries, shopping malls or other public venues. Obtain the support of individuals or organizations in the private sector, such as art suppliers.
21. BE CREATIVE
Together with your Team create a Stop Racism Challenge that is unique.
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