By Preeteesh Peetabh Singh
Dialog Reporter
MC Jazz, brings the real talk on gender + hip hop at GBC on Feb. 6. Photo: Liam Barrington-Bus / Twitter @hackofalltrades. Used with permission.
George Brown College organized its first ever Xpression Against Oppression week from Feb. 4 to Feb. 8 at St. James’ Kings Lounge.
According to the facilitator, organizer and hip-hop socialist Mohammad Ali Aumeer, “Xpressions Against Oppression is an arts festival with a focus on social justice, community engagement and critical political analysis. It’s a festival that has been organized over many years across various campuses in Ontario which provides an opportunity to use arts and culture to promote a dialogue amongst people.”
During the festival, Will Stirckland, president of Urban Music Association of Canada, mentioned the four basic principles of hip-hop culture, Emceeing – performing the role of a master in ceremonies, DJing – being a disc jockey, B-boying – street dance often called breakdancing and Graffiti art – scribbled, scratched or sprayed writing or drawing on a wall or any other public space.
The week also included second annual Hip Hop Empowerment Conference, held on Wednesday, Feb. 6, with a panel discussion featuring Korry Deez (I.R.S.), Black Cat (I.R.S.), Arcane (King of the Dot), MC Jazz and Mohammad Ali Aumeer.
Sam Seidel, keynote speaker and author of the book Hip Hop Genius – Remixing High School Education spoke on how hip hop can change education in the city for the better. He focused on the importance of youth engagement in hip-hop culture.
The conference introduced world café workshops which included participation from the audience on the topic “a better world through hip-hop.” The workshop covered the influence of hip-hop on media, linking Toronto with various international communities, considering LGBTQ people as equals in the community, connecting with the Idle No More movement, First Nations, disability and gender.
A few suggested questions at the discussion were, if we want to engage with immigrant communities, have we thought about our own use of confusing jargon and acronyms? If we want to connect with the LGBTQ communities, what do we do if someone uses a word like ‘fag’ or ‘batty man’? If we want to engage with Muslim students, have we thought about alcohol at events?
The hip-hop empowerment conference saw a participation of over 170 people throughout the day.
In a series of five events conducted throughout the week, it included an arts and politics panel discussion, a conversation on arts and social change performance, the second annual hip-hop empowerment conference and a keynote address featuring activist, comedian, artist, playwright and actor Trey Anthony. Friday’s spoken word competition was postponed due to inclement weather.
“The broader goal of hip hop empowerment campaign was to have an annual equity focused event in George Brown College.” said Aumeer.
