Transcript:
Imran: We acknowledge the traditional territories of the Coast Salish peoples, the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh nations, as well as all other first nations across the province. We gratefully acknowledge that it is on the traditional and unceded lands of these nations that we have created and shared this video project. We are thankful for the opportunity to live, work, sleep, eat, play and learn on their lands.
Vinu: ? Deaf and Hard of Hearing people who are Indigenous, Black, and People of Colour have suffered from racism all across the province of BC.
“We invited community members to share their experiences.”
Benjamin: ? My name is Benjamin and I am from Nigeria, in Africa.
Paula: ?? I’m Paula and I am from the Stolo and Tsimshian Nations. I am proud of my Indigenous heritage.
Sharon:? I’m Sharon, from South Korea. Born and raised in Canada.
Assadali:? My name is Assadali Bachoo, a Deaf Muslim from Tanzania, East Africa. I live here in Canada.
Janet:?? I’m Janet Sanchez. I was born in Mexico.
Ravi: ?? I’m Ravi and I’m from Fiji. I immigrated here to Canada.
“They each shared their stories of the effects of racism.”
Benjamin: ? I moved here when I was 6 and it was so strange and frustrating to be excluded. What I noticed was white kids, or even kids with other backgrounds, would be socializing and making friends, then they would see me, the black kid, and push me aside. This hurt, made me feel left out, and made me realize they really didn’t want me around. Sharon:? Since the start of COVID-19, I’ve seen more racial slurs, where people actually use the oppressive slanted-eye gesture, and they blame Asian people for the pandemic.
Paula: ? When I teach Indigenous people about our history, I see their ongoing struggles with their painful experiences, and the derogatory labels given to us that we can’t shake off. Words like “savage.” The education system tore away our language, tore away our culture, tore away our identity. And this went way back. Residential Schools have had a devastating impact on our community.
Ravi:? After I settled in Canada, I rooted myself and got my Permanent Residence status so I could stay long term, I eagerly started looking for a job. I sent off my resume and went for interviews to different companies. I was repeatedly rejected. They called me “Dumb,” said they needed someone who could speak. They were oppressive and rude. If I ever asked for someone to repeat themselves, they brushed me aside and looked to someone who wasn’t Deaf. They didn’t want to deal with a Deaf person. I was shocked and felt hopeless. I wondered if it was because of the colour of my skin.
Assadali:? I have severe trauma from being labelled a “terrorist.” And why that term? 20 years ago, there was the 9-11 attack on the World Trade Centre and all that resulted afterward. And these are true events. Countless people now look at me and call me a terrorist.
Janet: ? I’ve had many people look at me with suspicion. It’s like they make the assumption that all people who look and dress like me are drug users. But people just want us out, to go back home. Just because I’m Mexican?
“What do they want the world to understand?”
Benjamin: ? Some people may look at me and think I’m worthless. That has to stop. Black Lives Matter. I want to be part of things, let’s respect each other. And the police brutality, the way they’re always throwing black people in jail, is awful. It’s unbearable. It has to change.
Sharon:? Please stop blaming Asian people for the pandemic. We’ve had enough.
Assadali:? Do not call me a terrorist. Don’t judge me by how I look. Enough!
Paula:?? Today we can see the devastating impact residential schools have had and will continue to have on our community —the severe intergenerational trauma. My message is, Let’s stand up for ourselves and it’s time for everyone to work together for Truth and Reconciliation.
Benjamin:? Whether you are Black, White, Asian, Indigenous, or any other background or colour, we are all equal.
Vinu:? Deaf and Hard of Hearing people who are Indigenous, Black, and People of Colour desperately want all of you to stand together with us to stop racism across the province. Please.
“Thank you to the members of the IBPOC community for their vulnerability and sharing their stories with us.”
“Special thanks to the staff at Vancouver Community College where this project was filmed.”
