I am a storyteller, and to do that I have to dig deep into my experience of lived racial discrimination to set up a narrative, which claims inclusive and diverse representation of sexual, gender, and racial minorities. Storytelling gives me a public space to dismantle racist and misogynistic undertones hidden under the rhetoric of today's more polite racial prejudices of "You lack qualifications, skills, or competences." Rhetorics which come from deep-rooted discomfort that equal rights and opportunities for sexual, gender, and racial minorities, means less room for the privileged sexual, gender, and racial majority.
I use storytelling to bring people to a state of mind where they ask themselves whether sexual, gender, or racial minorities are not supposed to be: Intelligent, Competent, Beautiful, Powerful, Free to express themselves. Are these traits only reserved for cis men and women within the privileged racial majority? If one can not imagine a black queer man as intelligent, then one must check their privilege because they are contributing to a system of gender and racial discrimination. If one thinks to police the bodies and behaviours of women of colour because of some notion or norms of what is proper for a woman, then one must check their privilege because they are contributing to misogyny.
If one thinks that giving a platform to queer people, people of colour, or no-binary persons, etc. is a betrayal of some cultural values and/or social norms, then one must check their privilege because they are a part of what is wrong with this world today. Inclusive and diverse representation of sexual, gender, and racial minorities is not ruining anything, and if one thinks that, well that mentality is what is ruining the world today. This is why, critical race theory, queer culture, and human rights need to be taught on all levels. And this is why, I for one, use storytelling to call this behaviour what it is, to empower the marginalised individuals to tell their stories to change the status quo. |
12 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
IN YOUTH’S EDUCATION
90 PROJECTS EXECUTED
80 PARTNERS ENGAGED
1500 YOUTHS REACHED