The Meaning behind my Creative Piece “We all can be Activists”

My Creative Song is a form of resistance against systems of oppression in society that perpetuates Racism, Colonialism, and Sexism. I believe music is a very powerful form of expression that can help connect with people and bring attention to issues that often are overlooked. I choose to create a song because I believe the process of creativity, performance, expression, and communication behind making a song focused on issues of Racism and Colonialism can help uplift our voices, support empowerment, and resist forces of invisibility and oppression. This song encourages us to break our silence by amplifying voices and forms of activism to help address social justice issues and support a decolonial process towards social change. I believe making a song to engage in activism can be an influential medium that can help develop solidarity, increase social awareness, spark conversations/self-reflection and forge a new pathway towards social transformation, equality, justice, and decolonization (Morris, 2017; Maynard, 2017; Aging Activisms, 2017; Davis, 2006; Chazan, 2018; DiAngelo, 2020; Sium & Ritskes, 2013).

I believe Activism and Solidarity work means being willing to challenge dominant narratives of settler society and the status quo by disrupting the systems of privilege, power, and oppression which reflect the hierarchies and social divisions of society. As a woman of color, I believe it is important to advocate for social change to address systemic Anti-Black Racism, racial discrimination, state violence, mass incarceration, police brutality, and racial profiling. I believe it is also important to shift towards decolonization by adopting a new decolonial framework that focuses upon building solidarity with Indigenous peoples in an unsettled relationship based on mutual respect, shared commonalities, and recognition of Indigenous voices. I believe it is important to recognize the history of Colonialism and Racism in Canada and to embrace a commitment to an anti-racist, decolonial process that requires both listening to others and using our voice to support socially transformative action to address social justice and inequality issues in Canada (Morris, 2017; Maynard, 2017; Aging Activisms, 2017, Chazan, 2018; DiAngelo, 2020).

Moreover, I believe it is important to be aware of your own positionality by reflecting upon the ways we may benefit from occupying settled land or benefit from our social position because it is important for us to take responsibility and accountability for how we may reinforce the systems of oppression. To help Anti-Oppressive work, we must be ready to feel discomfort and uncertainty if we are truly committed to supporting decolonization and challenging Anti-Black Racism. I believe we should be willing to embrace change because, to achieve social justice and equality as values of our society, we have to be willing to disrupt the systems of power that privilege some whilst oppressing others. Moreover, I believe it is necessary for us to un-settle our way of thinking and I believe we must be willing to have uncomfortable conversations about Racism and Colonialism because opening a dialogue is the first step to help resist invisibility and shine a light upon issues that open are dismissed and ignored (Morris, 2017; Maynard, 2017; Aging Activisms, 2017; Davis, 2006; Chazan, 2018; DiAngelo, 2020).

Also, I believe it is also important to recognize Indigenous production of knowledge because sharing knowledge can help build connections across different social divisions which can help us acknowledge Indigenous perspectives and support the development of decolonized Solidarity. To make a lasting difference, activists need to build trust, solidarity, and mutual understanding with Black and Indigenous communities by recognizing their perspectives, experiences, and voices. It is also important to support resistance against Racism, Colonialism, and Oppression which can be expressed in music, art, performance, make-up, poetry, spoken word, storytelling, beading and humor as forms of activism. Overall, I believe we all can be Activists by acting in ways that challenge the dominant settler narratives and support a new decolonized and anti-racist pathway towards equality, freedom, empowerment, healing, social justice, and social transformation (Morris, 2017; Maynard, 2017; Aging Activisms, 2017; Davis, 2006; Chazan, 2018; DiAngelo, 2020; Sium & Ritskes, 2013).