"Go Ethnics Go" And "Beat It"!

Inspired by Michael Jackson's hit song "Beat It", an anti-poverty group from Ontario, Canada has created an Youtube video, titled "Go Ethnics Go" in order to make politicians care more for reducing poverty. The group, "Colour Of Poverty" describes itself as an organization that works to “build community based capacity to address racism, the growing racialization of poverty and the resulting increased levels of deprivation, social exclusion and widespread marginalization of racialized individuals and communities across the province of Ontario.”

The video is a mock of the tactics of politicians belonging to different political parties of courting so-called “ethnic” voters during the 2011 Canadian federal election. Some people believe that in some key ridings in large urban centres like Toronto and Vancouver, swaying key blocks of ethnic voters could be the key to victory.

The lyrics of the video tries to motivate the "ethnics" to take actions against bad governance:

“They never ask you what you do around here
Don't wanna know your name, or if you really care
See the truth behind the lies, and reject their words of fear
So beat it, just beat it!

You have a choice, you better speak when you can
Don't wanna be an ethnic, be Canadian
It's time to take a stand, get a ballot in your hand
So beat it ! You want a fair and equal chance!”

Then the chorus goes on like this, “just eat it, eat it, spring rolls, samosas, chopped up or sliced, it doesn’t matter, cassava or rice, just eat it, eat it…..”

Charming, isn't it?

-Nisha Noor

SOURCE: GLOBAL TORONTO

What An Amazing Way To Realize How Fortunate We Are!

For most of us, either poverty or hunger is an issue that needs to be taken care of. We simply can not let 1 billion global citizens to carry on their lives without food. But do we ever feel the rush to actually do something? Do we realize how fortunate we are that we are not in their shoes? To feel the pain that hungry people have to suffer on a daily basis, more than 60,000 Canadian teens are going to participate in the two-day long World Vision 30 Hour Famine starting from today. The teens will go without food for 30 hours to know what hunger feels like, and they will raise money and build awareness of issues that children face around the globe.

The 30 Hour Famine is the world's largest youth event to fight poverty and hunger. It began in Canada in 1971 when a group of Calgary teens held a fast after they saw some images of a famine in Africa. Since then it has become a global event. Participants all around the world go hungry for 30 hours, raise money, and attend local events to celebrate the change they are making in other countries. This year many Canadian celebrities including Dan Hamhuis, Danny Fernandes, FaberDrive, LIGHTS and These Kids Wear Crowns will support the Canadian youth during the event.

The proceeds from the event will provide assistance in countries including: Bangladesh, Brazil, Cambodia, Democratic Republic of Congo, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Ghana, Haiti, India, Niger, the Philippines, Rwanda, Uganda and Zimbabwe. The funds can be directed to a specific cause, choosing food & nutrition, clean water, child protection or education.

"For 40 years, Canadian youth have battled global poverty through the World Vision 30 Hour Famine," says World Vision's T.J. Grant "Canadian teens understand that fighting childhood poverty is a priority. Youth are making it their personal goal to do something now - and through the Famine are motivating friends, families and communities to get involved." Today, more than 500,000 youth in 21 countries participate in the 30 Hour Famine on an annual basis.

We can all show our support for this global event and raise our voice against hunger, poverty and injustice around the world. Or we can also go hungry for a day to realize what these people are fighting against!

-Nisha Noor

SOURCE: DIGITAL JOURNAL