Images on the nightly news of violent racial protests in Charlottesville, Va., and emboldened expressions of racism have motivated some local residents to organize an open mic against racism.
The event will be held Thursday at Gallery Bistro in Port Moody.
Amy Lubik, one of the organizers of the open mic — along with Rodney Stehr and Helen Daniels — said it’s important to give people a local opportunity to express their concerns and thoughts about racism.
“Most of us don’t think this kind of stuff can happen where we live,” Lubik said. "But people are frustrated. People need to know that people care close to where you live.”
Lubik said the mic is open to anybody with a few words to share, a song to sing or a favourite poem to recite.
The evening will open with songs from local artists and Lubik will be singing a duet with Port Moody-Coquitlam MLA Rick Glumac.
Lubik said the event is all about building community through empathy.
“We have to interact with people who have different experiences,” she said. “It helps them see how those things can be hurtful. We have to have empathy and sympathy.”
Lubik said as distressing as the images out of the United States were last week, she’s been heartened by all the counter-expressions for diversity and acceptance, including a gathering of thousands of people in front of Vancouver City Hall on Saturday that effectively crowded out a demonstration against Canada’s immigration policies by a handful of protestors.
“When people get together they feel better,” she said. “It makes a huge difference to be a part of something.”
• Gallery Bistro is located at 2411 Clarke St., Port Moody. The open mic against racism begins at 7 p.m., with doors open at 6:30. For more information, go to https://www.facebook.com/events/122362865080602/.
