What music are you listening to / art are you checking out these days?
I’m listening to Sade - the Soldier of Love album of course, and just about every other song she’s ever recorded before that! I’d love to work with her one day so I hope the Universe is listening! I’ve also been studying Javanese Gamelan, an art form from Indonesia and joined an ensemble called Larasati. It is different from the style of music I usually create, but I have an insatiable desire to understand how things work and the music resonated with me the first time I heard it. I’ll have to admit though, at first it was a huge challenge to learn and I had to let go of everything I have ever learned about music theory. Like a baby figuring out how to sit up or crawl, I took an almost intuitive approach to learning and had to accept that I knew nothing and start from scratch. I became aware of how subtle ways of being and observing the world have been ingrained in me since childhood, essentially deconstructing every rule and code that I‘ve lived by unconsciously. I took a humble approach to re-learning things like how to count, readjusting my sense of rhythm, and tempo. I was amazed by the difference in energy and interaction between all members of a gamelan ensemble, where everyone is equal and there is enormous respect for each other, and the instruments we use. It’s one of the best training exercises for singers and other musicians in general. It’s been quite the experience, as I learned to be patient with myself, and to think differently, but most importantly to trust my instincts and other people.
Why should people, especially youth, vote?
Youth often feel that they are not heard or seen, and voting is one of the ways that youth can exercise their right to participate in decisions on issues that affect them. Voting is a right and a choice. Choosing not to vote is often described as a protest. Voter apathy can be attributed to the feeling among many communities and not just youth, that one or even several votes won’t make a difference. Often, it is felt that the candidates do not make sincere efforts to understand important issues that affect the people they want to represent, and do not care. Conveniently appearing in media around election time is not a demonstration of commitment to the causes that citizens are concerned about. There is often a disconnect between politicians and the people they serve and people, especially youth will actively support an individual if it is felt that this person is engaged and therefore knowledgeable enough to make not just any difference, but one that counts. Also, often faced with a choice of spending one’s energy on voting for a candidate they are not familiar with, most voters would opt to stay home. Maybe the voting process should be changed to give people the vote on the candidate who they think is least able to represent their interests and fulfill campaign promises. That’s worth stepping out for, in -20 degree weather, after a long day at work or school.
For you, is there a connection between art and democracy? What is it?
Of course. Art is created by the people and is an expression of freedom or lack thereof. Democracy is based on a basic underlying principle of freedom, and in it’s uncorrupted form is decision-making or a formal expression of collective desires by the people. There is a saying that “artists are the conscience of society”, and in a democracy people are free to decide or govern based on their conscience. So art and democracy are connected.
Why do you care about community, when it is so easy not to?
I care about community because it is a network of support. It is easy to not care about community when one feels like there is a lack of support and understanding, especially where there is a lot of infighting. So where there is no support, many feel less of a connection and are less inclined to care. People often ask why they are asked to give back, when it is felt that nothing was given in the first place. I don’t feel that I belong to one specific community, I feel a connection to several and support from several. Thanks to all my communities ; ).
What do you look for in a politician? What do you expect from your MP?
I look for and expect an awareness of the issues that affect me. I especially look for an attitude of humility, compassion, and a real commitment to following through to fulfill a campaign promise. Talk to me about Change and then show me some tangible results.
What causes do you actively support?
I actively support and am involved with the
Montreal Assault Prevention Centre, which is a non-profit organization that works with individuals and communities to empower themselves, giving them tools to gain more independence and to fight against prejudice. Since 1985, the Centre has worked with the most vulnerable members of our community, including women, children, seniors, the physically and intellectually disabled, and minority groups.
What are one or two simple actions you recommend youth take to make a difference?
Get involved with an organization, such as a non-profit. Non-profit organizations often work very hard to reach a lot of people, and one can always find a group of hardworking people who are willing to support you in achieving your goals and dreams.
Be a mentor to someone at some point in your life, whether through an organization or independently. Sharing knowledge with younger generations is one of the best ways of inspiring others and making a difference.
Travel as much as you can, and when you can! Find opportunities to meet new people and discover new ways of life beyond your own community and network. Peace can be achieved through greater interaction and understanding between people. I’ve traveled to places where there is often no one like me, and such meetings have fostered a certain awareness and curiosity of how the “other” lives. The beautiful part of the experience is when you find new friends and people who understand you better than the people who are often closest to you.
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