Dancing Against Discrimination

Published on Tuesday February 02 2010

Ealing district Venturers are organising a dance performance to address the issue of discrimination against young people in their area. But they are doing far more than just dance.

Members have taken on responsibilities like budgeting and promotion, and are liaising with other stakeholders in the community to make this project happen.

Chloe Dartington went to watch a rehearsal and said: “They told me about how bus drivers sometimes refuse to stop for groups of young people even when the bus is mostly empty, and security guards’ eyes follow them round the gallery or museum they’re in, expecting them to behave badly or steal something.”

If you’re free on Saturday February 6 from 12-3pm, please support them by coming along to watch the performance at Christ Church in Ealing Broadway (W5 2XA). They will also be doing a workshop with the audience after the dance.

“They will hopefully open previously closed lines of communication between young people and the police, bus drivers and other adults who don’t treat them fairly,” said Chloe.

The venturers will explain how they have used dance to explore and express the relationship between younger and older people in the local community. Adults and young people will be speaking about the problems and solutions.

"We hope that by holding this event we will be able to go someone way towards addressing stereotypes and prejudices and improving the lack of intergenerational understanding and communication that we see in Ealing," they said.

Watch the website for a report and pictures of the project – you may even be inspired to do something similar in your area.