Alec acknowledges, highlights, and celebrates ethno-racial differences, recognising that each tradition has something invaluable to offer.
Although I have experienced racism in a variety of situations, my demeanour and outlook should not be marked as different or inferior due to the colour of my skin. That, however, does not mean that I do not see the struggle others go through who may not have the same background as me. Alec celebrates when different kinds of people work together, fostering the simultaneity of unity and diversity. Indeed, I embrace these differences.
I want you to know that the idea is beautiful when said with a true desire to accept others, but we cannot let it blind us to the forms of discrimination still present in our society. Perhaps we can all be mindful of institutional dynamics when we think a situation is ultimately caused by one or a few individuals. Perhaps we can be mindful when we may be denying society structures or expecting behavioural assimilation. Perhaps nothing will truly start to get better until we do these things.
This quote from Audre Lorde clarifies my points quite strongly:
“It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognise, accept, and celebrate those differences”
My art celebrates the beauty in our diversity. I believe the ideal is not assimilation but a unity in diversity and an attempt to create and maintain a level playing field for a variety of people.
Creating art for me is simply not good enough to make positive changes, I truly live my words and walk the walk by creating opportunity’s for hundreds of children that I never had when I was their age. I’m actively inspiring our future civil servants, politicians, scientists, sportspeople, writers & artists to help create a better tomorrow. Education is key as hate is taught, it is not something we are born with.
