By Anna McKenzie, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter THE DISCOURSE
Bryant Doradea never thought he would be performing rap songs in the B.C. legislature for a group of provincial ministers.
But when he was invited to share his music and public speaking in advance of BC Child and Youth in Care Week B次元官网网址� happening May 29 to June 4 B次元官网网址� Doradea couldnB次元官网网址檛 refuse.
On May 9, Doradea performed a condensed version of his B次元官网网址淔oster Kid Survival GuideB次元官网网址� B次元官网网址� a multimedia performance he created which includes music as well as speaking about his life experiences.
B次元官网网址淚t was mixed feelings being given such a platform in such a colonial space,B次元官网网址� he wrote on his Instagram after the performance last week.
B次元官网网址淣evertheless, I was very grateful to be validated, seen and heard by many who could have easily not shown up and taken the time.B次元官网网址�
Indigenous to El Salvador and Chile, Doradea grew up in East Vancouver and is a former child of foster care.
After experiencing trauma during his childhood, he said his healing journey began 10 years ago when he started sharing his life experiences through public speaking and performing.
Along with writing spoken word poetry and hip-hop music, Doradea is also a frontline youth worker and program developer for youth in and from care.
B次元官网网址淚 wanted to create visibility, and not just in a negative context, but in a context that shows how intelligent we are, how funny we are, and how resilient and powerful we are,B次元官网网址� said Doradea.
His advocacy work and life experiences have culminated into the multimedia performance which Doradea calls B次元官网网址淭he Foster Kid Survival Guide.B次元官网网址�
When he presented the piece for ministers and legislature staff, Doradea B次元官网网址� who also goes by the performer name HK (short for Higher Knowledge) B次元官网网址� included two songs, including one from his new album The Knowledge of Good and Evil.
In attendance were Children and Family Development Minister Mitzi Dean, as well as Finance Minister Katrine Conroy and Social Development and Poverty Reduction Minister Sheila Malcolmson.
In advance of the performance, Dean spoke about the B次元官网网址淔oster Kid Survival GuideB次元官网网址� in the legislature.
B次元官网网址淗is performance of the `Foster Kid Survival GuideB次元官网网址� is for all interested members,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 really, really fantastic.B次元官网网址�
Doradea formerly sat on a youth advisory council for the Ministry of Children and Family Development.
B次元官网网址淥ne of the most important things to me is creating visibility and validity, to say that we are worthy of investment. We are worthy of support,B次元官网网址� he said.
BC Child and Youth in Care Week was proclaimed by the province in 2011 to recognize and celebrate children and Youth in and from foster care.
During the week, events are held to raise awareness on the barriers faced by kids in care, while also finding ways to recognize and honour their respective experiences.
B次元官网网址淲e are invisible until the worst of the worst scenarios happen, and then, everyone wants to fight about whoB次元官网网址檚 at fault without any real change happening,B次元官网网址� Doradea said.
Doradea said that the cost of change for kids in care to be visible is often death or other negative outcomes.
He said his work has also led him to inspire men and boys to become B次元官网网址渕odern warriors.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 really passionate about working with boys and men around some of those toxic aspects of masculinity and patriarchy that weB次元官网网址檝e had instilled in us,B次元官网网址� Doradea said.
His work has also led to a youth program in East Vancouver called the Hip Hop Drop. He also helped the Broadway Youth Resource Centre Society in building a recording studio for youth.
Doradea hopes to write a book one day so young people can access his survival guide outside of his performances.
DoradeaB次元官网网址檚 frontline work has inspired him to also pursue creating a B次元官网网址淔oster Kid Frontline Survival Guide.B次元官网网址� The guide is meant to support those who are working on the frontlines with kids from care.
B次元官网网址淚 understand the system and the barriers that frontline workers go through, on so many different levels,B次元官网网址� he said.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 similar to the other presentation in that I still use poetry, hip hop and my life story, but I can actually marry the two experiences of my personal life and my professional experience in practical ways that can be used to support people in their frontline work.B次元官网网址�
Doradea said heB次元官网网址檚 hopeful that the presentation can support those as they develop their practice working with Youth, kids in care and marginalized communities.
B次元官网网址淲e donB次元官网网址檛 just have the ability to be better, or good. We have the ability to overcome and become great, and to thrive.B次元官网网址�
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