The Immigrant and Multicultural Services Society has created a contest to help curb racism in the Prince George area.
"We are inviting participants to record a three minute video with them sharing their thoughts on how to eliminate racism or it could be their experience with racism," said Maggie Bambi, IMSS's youth buddy program co-ordinator.
The Anti-Racism Video Contest was a national competition, but it was cancelled in 2012, so IMSS decided to hold the competition on their own.
"We wanted continue this and create awareness about racism," said Bambi. "We really want to make sure that people are aware of it and that it is something that could easily happen, also to educate and promote discussion around the topic."
Bambi said new immigrants to Prince George are routinely targets of racism so the competition aims to give those victims a voice.
"Some of our youth in Prince George have experienced racism to some degree or bullying. So it's just another way of breaking the stereotype that being black or Asian doesn't mean one particular thing. It gives our youth a chance to express their views," said Bambi.
Participants must be between the ages of 10 to 19 years of age and must register before Feb. 20 at 4 p.m.
Registration can be by phone, Facebook page (search for Maggie Bambi) or by going to IMSS's offices at 1270 Second Avenue.
The videos have to be original content.
Once the contest is finished, IMSS will upload the videos to Youtube and also have them available as a resource for teachers in Prince George to use in the classroom.
The project is made possible through funding from the Government of Canada and the province of British Columbia.
For more information, contact Maggie Bambi at 250-562-2900 or [email protected]
