Friday, January 15, 2010
1st Prize
Pryme
I would like to thank a few certain people for helping me get to this point.
First and foremost I would like to thank Dave Strong and Jason Moon for
bringing up the contest to me. Because the point I was at when it was brought
to my knowledge was not a very good one and it kind of showed me the way to go.
Also, I would like to thank the floor CO’s and Social Workers at my
institution for being nothing but supportive. At this point if I didn’t
make something of myself with the help they’ve given me….. it would
be disrespectful.
In my opinion I think it would be better to use their help try… and
fail.. than disregard them all together and not even try … so thank you.
I would like to thank Crime Stoppers for Providing Opportunities like this to
youth and last but not least I would like to thank Bubblz, and Scott Mills for
taking the time to come out and paint with me and show me that there are other
ways of gratification than through crime. After meeting Scott, I have learned
that you can’t paint all people with the same brush, police officers
included.
Where I am at,… as far as right now… I am trying to make positive
changes in my life, but it is really hard given my situation and surroundings.
In my environment if you show the smallest weakness others capitalize on that
to oppress you into conforming to their will. In my world inside and out the
strong survive and the hard prevail. There are certain codes that if not
followed can result in serious repercussions and violent retaliations. It is so
difficult to learn new ways when you are locked up because, jail breeds’
negativity. I have seen and learned so many of these things in my short 18
years.
If you were to look at me and judge my cover you would see another criminal
gang member. But if you were to talk to me and get to know me you would see a
young talented intelligent man, …you would notice me for my talents, good
traits and what I can do. Instead of what I have done and never will do.
It is so hard now a days for youth in our world to succeed. Some youth are born
without any chances, and with that they make the choice to go down the wrong
path; these are what you call invisible children. They make these choices
because they have no guidance; people don’t see them, because then
don’t want to see them. Someone wanted to see me and now look at the
direction my life has taken, all because I had help with my choices. I am the
perfect example, that those born without a chance have no excuses, they have
the power to change they have the power of choice.
I want to explain the first piece of art I did for Scott and his contest. First
off I want you to know, I didn’t necessarily draw it because of the art,
I drew it more for the message. You, Me, Us, We Together, even though it
wasn’t the best art piece it had meaning behind it. Like I said before
“we all have choices and each and every one of our choices effects you me
us we and together us as a group”. So if we share each other’s
struggles, why can’t we help each other to overcome them.
Now with my second piece of art it’s along the same lines as the first it
is 50% art and 51% message - Unity Love Respect. We as a people youth included
need to come together behind these three words. Respect your neighbour and you
will be respected, Love your peers and they will love you back, Unite with them
and they will share your burden and know that hatred breeds violence and
Violence breeds more hatred.
I would like you to know I am changing, I may not necessarily be there yet but
I am trying. Like I said at the beginning I have everyday struggles and am
trying and working so hard to move forward and make positive choices in my
life. I have been working through the everyday hurtles in front of me.
But as an endnote to this speech ….I guess the main thing I wanted to do
here was be as real as I could, because no one can learn from lies and half
truths, as I am sure you will agree. I was hoping to teach you something today.
To show you that the youth on my side of the tracks aren’t bad just
misguided, all they need is some real support from real people and genuine
caring. I just want you to take the time to find out who’s behind the
mask and not what the mask portrays.
2nd Prize
John Abila - Frances Libermann School
3rd Prize
Freedom
I would like to thank the members of Toronto Crime Stoppers for running a
program like this to help young men and women get more involved with their
community. I enjoyed working on this project that let me express how I feel our
community should be. As it was my first time taking part in something like
this, I learned that I can express how I feel through art, instead of handling
it the wrong way like I have done in the past. I want to get more involved in
community activities so that I can share with others that we should all be
treated the same, no matter what colour, religion, ethnic background that we
are all equal, nobody is better than anyone. We all live in what is supposed to
be a free country, yet thousands of people every day feel alone and left out
because of the way they look or speak. This experience changed my outlook on
how people are treated. I just wish our country could be "free" like
it is said to be. Thanks again to the people involved in creating such a
wonderful experience.
Most Votes
Christian "CRON" - Bogata Columbia (Recently moving to Toronto)
