| |
 |
|
'Without Fear'
|
Tower Hamlets Arts and Events service is currently embarking on a project
titled 'Without Fear'.
The aim of the project is to use arts as a vehicle to explore what
it means to be in a community without fear in the context of racism/civil
rights/ tolerant society.
A series of small projects will take place over the next seven months,
these projects aims to work with various participants ranging from young
people to older members of the community, this will culminate in a conference/showcase
of participants work.
The explosive theme of the project is sure to generate some great and
controversial thoughts and therefore the project is one that is geared
towards exploration and hopefully explorative work from the participants
on the theme of Without Fear.
Below are pieces of work from the poetry project. .
The workshop was lead by Aktar Ahmed lead singer for Asian Dub Foundation.
Further projects to be showcased, include an Urban Arts Project, an
in-school video project, an Oral History Project, and a Banner Project...
Watch out for the winners of the Poster Competition, coming soon...
|
 |
 |
|
I saw people looking at me curiously
by Parveena, age 12
|
As I was approaching the shop I saw people looking at me curiously
even a cop. I was wearing a headscarf. Everyone looked at me
and started to laugh. I was really hurt inside. I just felt
like I wanted to hide I walked inside the shop and looked at
the keeper I felt so ashamed cos everyone laughed at me even
the street sweeper Why me? I was thinking. Then it hit me, people
must be drinking No it can't be cos it was everyone I could
barely run it must be cos I'm a Muslim I wasn't wanted here,
well that's how it seemed My eye- sight was about to be filled
with tears It was nothing but fear It could be Muslim history
It doesn't mean I should be treated differently I respect them,
so they should respect me I always thought wearing headscarf
was heavy 'Go back to your own country' a man said But I couldn't
get through my head I felt like I was a target I could feel
my cheeks getting wet I have to get out of here I thought My
palms were getting so hot I must be strong I haven't done nothing
wrong Something shined on me, it was the sun Another Muslim
came up to me & said, "don't worry you're not the only one"
I was uncomfortable They were all unstoppable That was the worst
day I had There was no need for all that Sad racist people,
nothing better to do, why they doing this, I don't have a clue,
I was waiting for my ride home I'm glad I wasn't alone There
were more Muslims beside me I should be treated equally I came
here for education, It'll take time I have to be patient Drunk
people looking at me with their beady eyes Other people looking
at me in surprise Surprised that I could show my face I'm the
innocent one in my case They all should be ashamed for themselves
Staring insolently like an elf I don't care what they say Tomorrow's
going to be a whole new day. That's it! I can't take it no more,
What next, you're gonna be breaking the law Ruining the habitats,
You're not trying to find out facts, Stop the fighting and the
racism, You might even turn out in prison, I'm trying to have
a happy life here, But when I come outside my minds always clear
Violence isn't the answer You make me feel like a prisoner.
|
 |
|
I got off the taxi
by Shafia, age 14
|
I got off the taxi and already people started to look I felt
like a target, trapped in a horror book. I walked for a minute,
feeling the atmosphere, now I knew it, it was all so clear.
I was the only Asian around. I was feeling the eyes looking
at me, head to ground. I couldn't go anywhere without having
to worry. I was walking in the streets, in a hurry. When a man
came in front of me with another two behind. He laughed at me
and said ' are you blind'. People were staring and laughing
at me I ran and got back in the taxi. Every second that I was
there, my life was upside down. He wasn't the only few people,
it was the whole town. I'm ready to go back home I said I think
I've a mistake I'd rather live a respectful town Where people
are polite for god sake. Is it just me or is it everyone I should
be pleased for who I am. There's billions of people just like
me. When people stare, I don't know what wrong they see. So
I'm tellin them now, forget about black and white Forget about
all the unnecessary fights Live your life with each other rather
than without friendship, peace and happiness, That's what it's
all about. I told the people to forgive and forget To forget
about the racist remarks to live their life in a peaceful way
Where people get on and live ok. Where there isn't a reason
to start a fight get along with each other cultures without
having to fear Why live a messy life, when you can live clear
Live with each other, have a fun life.
 |
 |
| There's so much to say
by Shumina, age 18 |
There's so much to say, I don't know where to start. Ever
since September 11th, Everything changed! The world has
changed, People have changed! When I walk on the street,
people look at me thinking I have a bomb 'neath me or
labelled as a murderer tis I have nothing to wiv it! As
they see me wearing a cloth over my head. Still there's
so much to say, to be honest, I am full of anger seeing
people dying all over the world. All the innocents, all
the children, all the wars. Power Power, that's what everyone
wants! Power Once I helped an old lady to reach a can
of bean off the shelf, she looks surprised! She said to
me I was polite and people were saying Muslim are murderer,
I looked at her and said, "Well I think you've been watching
too much CNN!" My life has changed by the twin towers,
I feel that I cant do anything! When people look at me,
it makes me feel that I have done something wrong! Why
cant people see that I'm just a human being! A human being
trying to lead a decent life. Then again, I want to but
it feels impossible even though I know I have the power
to do what I want! Shumina Begum 19
|
 |
| I was walking
down the lane,
by Zaheda, age 15 |
I was walking down the lane,
The usual the same,
Out came a crowd calling me names.
I felt ashamed,
Cause I was not to blamed.
I'm so happy for who I am,
But times like this I feel left out,
I can see the looks and hear the voices,
But times like this I wish I had more choices.
I didn't like the racial remarks,
I felt in the spotlight but in the dark.
I was so furious so I went back home,
Thinking I needed time on my own.
It isn't my fault people think like this of me,
I feel so trapped I just want to be free.
I think if people had no fights,
Individual people had their rights.
The world would be a better place,
So people like me would be able to show their face!!
|
 |
| I was swinging
through the street,
by Zakia, age 16 |
I was swinging through the street, I could feel the sun's
heat People changed really quickly after the twin towers
collapsed, I felt really trapped Why are people being
like this? Why are some people showing their fists? Is
it because of my appearance? That you want me to disappear!
After all we are humans, But we are different, so U don't
have to be violent! Why can't I go without worrying so
much! Why can't I go without being touched! Why can't
I go on with my life like everyone else! Why should I
feel so trapped in this world! Why do I feel so uncomfortable!
Why do I feel like I am a target! Why do I feel I have
have been discriminated against by everyone around me!
Why am I scared to go outside! Why does it feel like harm
is waiting for me! Why do I feel like a character in a
horror movie! Why don't I feel free anymore! Why is every
second of my life a misery! Why does this life suck! Why
is there silence when I walk through people! Why is people
gossiping or being two faced behind my back! Why does
everyone make me feel like a failure! Why should I be
manipulated by everyone around me! Why me!!!
Written by
: Young People involved with the
poetry project at the Brady Centre. |
|
|
|
|
|
