BU CARES Research Priority Area
Anti-Racism
In search of a better life.
Like most immigrants to Manitoba, Mary Peros has professional qualifications and skills.
“As of the 2016 Census, 4 in 10 immigrants aged 25 to 64 had a bachelor's degree or higher. In comparison, just under one-quarter of the Canadian-born population aged 25 to 64 had a bachelor's degree or higher.” (source)
The choices we don’t make.
“As long as the black person is present in the white space, he or she is like to be ‘on,’ performing before a highly judgmental but socially distant audience... In the general scheme of the white space, it matters little whether such acute disrespect is intended or unintended. The injury most often has the same effect" Anderson, The White Space, 2015, p. 14-15
Can’t Dim My Light
Islamophobia impacts the lives of many in Manitoba.
Friendly Manitoba
In the initial survey for this project, 97% of Indigenous respondents agreed with the statement, “Racism is a problem in my area.”
Add your voice.
See something we missed? Have a resource you’d like to share? Used the films in your classroom? We want to hear from you!
Join the Conversation
Did you miss our film screening?
Hear more about the project from the research team and filmmakers here!
FAQs
Where did these videos come from? Who funded them?
These videos were created as part of a 2-year research project, funded through Canadian Heritage’s call for Anti-Racist Action Plans. Our research team at Brandon University wondered if, since vitriol seems to go viral so easily, might we be able to produce research-based, educational videos that can occupy the same online spaces? We conducted a survey of 500 Manitobans, asking them to share their experiences with racism. Based on those responses, we wrote scripts, tested them in focus groups, and then hired filmmakers to make each film.
What is BU CARES?
BU CARES is a research centre in the Faculty of Education at Brandon University. We promote the well-being of rural and Indigenous students by facilitating and promoting community-engaged, action-focused education research projects. The purpose of a research centre is to engage in research, study or other academic focus in specific areas and to encourage research collaborations among disciplines and between departments, faculties, and schools. Research centres also provide unique training opportunities for students and serve as a valuable information source for the community at large. We are accountable through our Director to the Dean of the Faculty of Education, who in turn reports to the Vice-President (Academic & Research). Our advisory committee provides ongoing advice on the centre’s activities and programs.
Can I use these videos in my class, workshop, or organization?
Yes! The videos are free and publically available. We have created a facilitator guide to help make them useful, but please feel free to use them in ways that make sense for your context. We’d also love to hear how they are being used, so if you have time to drop us a line, we’d appreciate it!
Who is the target audience for these films?
While the characters portrayed in the films are from a specific cultural background, the films are not only meant for that background. The films are meant to be free educational content that can be used in a variety of contexts. The films are meant for both people who see themselves and/or their experiences represented in the films, as well as people outside these backgrounds and experiences, who can learn from hearing the stories of others.
How are these films promoted on social media?
We have employed a social media coordinator, who has launched a multi-platform approach. The films are available and actively promoted on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok.
Now what? How can I get involved?
There are many ways to get started. You can take a look at the toolkits of resources created for each video - these are a curated compilation of educational resources, support resources, and activism. You may also be interested in this campaign: https://www.unifor.org/campaigns/all-campaigns/manitoba-needs-adopt-anti-racism-plan
What is the purpose of these films?
Our purpose is two-fold: 1) We want to put research-based educational content out that can be freely available to be used and adapted in multiple contexts, and 2) We want to further research knowledge by understanding the responses to this type of content, when promoted online.
What is racism?
We have a more fulsome definition in the #RealChange Facilitator’s Guide. However, our working definition of racism is that of an umbrella term that encompasses all acts of othering, bias, discrimination, microaggressions, and subtle acts of exclusion.
Meet the Team
Scriptwriters
Akech Mayuom, Stephanie Spence, Saira and Nilufer Rahman, Quan Luong, Erin Hembrador, Tyler Funk
Researchers
Michelle Lam, Denise Humphreys, Akech Mayuom, and Stephanie Spence
Advisory Groups
We are thankful to the many different individuals, community members, elders, and advisors who read the scripts, screened the films, and advised the team along the way
“In Search of a Better Life”
Director: Quan Luong
Cinematographer: Tyler Funk
Art Director: Madison Summer Dueck
Editor: Nathalie Massaroni
Production Assistant: Nathan Flores
Cast: Sheila Ellamil-Lotuaco, Matt Jones, Jeffrey Reyes
“Choices You Don’t Make”
Cast (in order of appearance)
Mike - Antonius Hackett
Male Coworker - Keegan Chase Dykstra
Female Coworker 1 - Anita Molinari
Female Coworker 2 - Laura Jacyna
Female Coworker 3 - Boma Cookey-gam
Friend 1 - Naba
Friend 2 - Bisong Taiwo
Crew
Director - Bisong Taiwo
Producer - Adesuwa Ero
Director of Photography - Reginald Isume
Makeup and Costume - Felicheeta Artistry
Location provided by - TableSpace Coworking Co.
“Can’t Dim My Light”
Cast (in order of appearance)
Nisreen – Zohra Razzaq
Dr. Stevens – Susan Finnigan
Tina – Thea Hughes
Matt – Ariel Hoult
Marie – Denise Humphreys
Ajah – Akech Mayuom
Dakota – Stephanie Spence
Jacob – Kevin Wu
Shopper – Susan Smiel
Naniji – Najma Kidwai Siddiqui
Phone receptionist – Saira Rahman
Café friends – Anam Khan and Fadiya Sheikheldin
Radio voice – Eric Bossé Special
Thanks to: Hadass Eviatar, Ivan Hughes, Martin Itzkow, Brenda McLean
“Friendly Manitoba”
Kejic Productions
Co-Directed: Tara Carpenter and Desiree Brightnose
Written by: Desiree Brightnose, Stephanie Spence, & Akech Mayuom
Filmed and Edited by: Tara Carpenter