April Spotlight: The Apathy is Boring Team!

by Apathy is Boring — April 15, 2009

Interview:

A is B: What music are you listening to/art are you checking out these days?

Rachel: I'm obsessed with the newest Santogold, Martha Wainwright, K'naan and Great Lake Swimmers albums. I'm really loving the new CBC Radio 2, especially Rich Terfry's Drive from 3 - 6, which features tons of emerging Canadian music. I'm also really looking forward to the new Nomadic Massive album! These days I'm really into graffiti art, graphic novels and animation, especially when used as a tool for social awareness and teaching - like the comic books at http://www.thehealthyaboriginal.net/.


Chris: I listen to a lot of Linkin Park, the Killers, and a lot of House (techno) music. I'm a dj, so I listen to a variety of the most commercial things as well, keeping my music varied and interesting depending on the mood I'm in (R&B to radio to rap to trance). As far as Art goes, I don't really go out and look at art galleries, but I admire and respect most forms of art for the intense passion, time, and creativity that artists put into them and wish to sometimes be a fly on the wall in these people's brains to see what true genius looks like.


A is B: For you, is there a connection between art and democracy? What is it?

Ilona: I am equally passionate about art and democracy. For me, both are about communication and collaboration and ideally both should be constantly evolving, inclusive, and full of opportunities creative participation.

Adrienne: I've always strongly believed that art is heavily influenced by the context and time it's created in, and that through art, you can get a sense of how democratic processes are functioning and affecting society. Art has the ability to reflect back to us issues that are not always apparent through traditional means of representation - like elections and policy - so in a way it's even more important, as it provides an outlet for those who choose not to participate in these traditional forms.

A is B: Why should people, especially youth, vote?

Lisa: Come to think of it, we don't cast a vote once every few years, in reality we cast a vote every time we make a decision, and that's a process that takes place daily. Participating in discussions, reading up on political issues and taking part in debates during election campaigns are some of the many ways to collectively engage in the large scale decision making process during election campaigns. In turn those actions can help those decisions we make on a day to day basis. The earlier youth can start getting engaged in that process the better, it forces people to reflect about what's important to them, defend their point of view and in turn brings confidence in their beliefs.

Adrienne: To be honest, all the rhetoric about people dying for your right to vote and talk about "duty" and "right", isn't what makes me think that people should get out to the polls. It comes down to something as basic as if you want your voice to be represented, on whatever scale, voting is one way to make yourself heard. Even if you don't agree 100% with the platform, or with the system itself, I think that change can be effected both within and outside of the system, so voting makes up one part of that desire for change. As a young person, I definitely don't want my grandparents speaking on my behalf - I want to be a part of the conversation.


A is B: Why do you care about community, when it is so easy not to?

Lisa: Because nothing brightens up my day more than going for a walk early in the morning and being able to nod and say hi to a passerby; those familiar faces and places that we come across everyday slowly start to give meaning to our world and at first it might not seem that way but one day that community that you grew up in starts to feel like home, that's when nostalgia starts to set in and that's usually when it's too late to bring about change. What it comes down to is being able to take in your community and not take it for granted.

Chris: Communities are extremely important in that they not only play a determining role in shaping you, but because they are the basis for understanding, inclusion, and happiness. A vibrant, healthy community means more tolerance, growth, and respect, and this is not something to be taken lightly. People don't realize how much a community does for them, not only providing the little things like green spaces and play areas, but also the big ones like security and comfort (especially the neighbor who takes you in during an ice storm or power outage). I think it's very important to give back to a community that has provided you with so much, whether you realize it or not, and make it a better place for the good of all.

A is B: What do you look for in a politician? What do you expect from your MP?

Ilona: I am look for someone who really understands that they work for us, their constituents. I am looking for someone who is passionate, tireless, and humble. I am looking for someone who is equally interested in having an ideological discussion, and getting things done. Most of all I am looking for someone creative who is willing to look for innovative ways of moving our democratic conversation forward.

Rachel: I expect my MP to take the risk of being different from those who have come before. I expect them to stand up for their constituents and do the right thing, not the easy, practical and practiced thing. I expect them to care about all their constituents, and not just the heavy hitters that will make or break their possibility for re-election.

Source:Apathy is Boring