[van-announce] Root Down, Rise Up: Filipino Youth Address Settlement & Integration Issues Through the Arts.

[Grassroots Women]

  _____  

From: UKPC Vancouver [mailto:ukpc_fcya at kalayaancentre.net] 
Sent: Wednesday, May 20, 2009 12:57 PM
To: undisclosed-recipients:
Subject: Root Down, Rise Up: Filipino Youth Address Settlement & Integration
Issues Through the Arts.

 

ROOT DOWN, RISE UP: 
Filipino Youth Address Settlement and Integration Issues Through the Arts

VANCOUVER - On Friday, May 29 2009, Filipino-Canadian youth in Vancouver
will once again speak out on issues that concern them in the 12th Annual
Roots, Rhymes and Resistance (RRR), presented by the BC chapter of Ugnayan
ng Kabataang Pilipino sa Canada/ The Filipino-Canadian Youth Alliance
(FCYA). Themed this year as "Root down, Rise up!" RRR addresses the need for
settlement and integration of Filipinos in Canada, and calling for
meaningful participation and genuine equality for the community, especially
Filipino youth. 

The group says that there is a need to publicly bring out the issues of
racism, forced migration, family separation, barriers to education and
employment, gender oppression and more as they are faced by Filipino youth
in the schools, community, workplace and within their families.

This year, FCYA has been working hard to bring out the issues not only on
the night of RRR. Throughout March, April and May, the group has been
conducting a series of cultural arts and skills building workshops around
the theme of Root Down Rise Up. Leading up to the cultural event on May 29,
youth have been engaged in topics such as Tagalog lessons, hip hop writing,
creative writing, theatre and performance, media writing, graphics design,
Anti Racism Education, and Filipino migration.

"We need to rise up and bring out our concerns as Filipino youth more and
more" says Eliezer Moreno, a member of FCYA. "The workshops allow us to do
that in a creative, engaging way."

The need to support Filipino youth and the community is crucial now that
Filipinos are the 3rd largest visible minority group in Canada. The lack of
settlement and integration programs in Canada forces Filipino youth to
engage in anti-social activities. The group says that their workshops and
ongoing program fill this gap.

The need to organize, mobilize and educate the community, and dig deep into
the roots of forced migration is important in order to rise up and overcome
challenges youth are facing. FCYA asserts that RRR is empowering not just
the Filipino youth and their families, but is part of addressing Canadian
issues and the needs of other marginalized communities.

"Filipino youth have a high drop out rate in this city. Many of us are
having to work to support our families, and are now becoming the next
generation of Canada's cheap labour. This is the reality!" exclaims Moreno.
He says that since 1999, RRR has been a venue for Filipino youth to express
themselves, and is a positive force in getting Filipino youth to be engaged
and active in their community.

Roots, Rhymes, and Resistance will take place this Friday, May 29, 2009 
Venue: Sir Charles Tupper Secondary at 419 East 24th Avenue, Vancouver 
Featuring performances by Toxic Slime Clique, Sinag Bayan Cultural Arts
Collective, Kuyas United in Solidarity, Renovation Under, Fresh Groove and
more!

For more Info call Carlo or Ayex: 604 215 1103 or email
<mailto:ukpc_fcya at kalayaancentre.net> <ukpc_fcya at kalayaancentre.net>

Door open 7:00 pm Please arrive early. Tickets are sliding scale $10-$20, $5
for low income and students with ID. you can find more information and a
full list of performers at <RootsRhymes.wordpress.com> 

 

 

 

-- 
Filipino-Canadian Youth Alliance-Vancouver | Ugnayan ng Kabataang Pilipino
sa Canada - British Columbia
c/o Kalayaan Centre, 451 Powell Street, Vancouver, BC, V6A 1G7
Phone: 604.215.1103 | Fax: 604.215.1905 | http://kalayaancentre.net

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