Resistance: How to fight immigration policies with art
I have find it unfortunately easy to fall in despair nowadays. With an increasing climate crisis, political conflicts arising around the globe and anti-immigration policies falling everywhere, we might even forget how to breathe. During the last few years, Canada has seen an unprecedented increase in policies that make immigrating or staying in the country harder. So what can we do? How do we come back to joy?
That is when projects like Duh Babe! – Rainbows and Butterflies become crucial. This art zine created in collaboration with Migrant Students United Vancouver and Surrey Rainbow Project seeks to portray the experiences of Queer POC migrants living in what is colloquially known as “Vancouver”. In an effort to bring communities of colour together and bridge connections with different generations, they hope to challenge harmful beliefs and stigmas within larger social systems.
rest as Resistance
Resistance is a gouache painting on watercolor paper published in the newest issue of Duh, Babe! – Rainbows and Butterflies. I made it as a direct response to the often isolating and always exhausting process of securing a Permanent Status in so-called ”Canada”.
I’ve been pursuing this dream for so long that I started to believe the faulty narrative that I don’t “deserve” to be here. I’ve been trying to prove my worth to a colonial entity while it blames me and other immigrants and migrants for its failed policies.
It felt like no matter how fast I ran I was never able to do enough or be enough. Post-secondary education, a better job position, more and more work experience, better results in my english exam, learning french as my third language and then improving my level. Nothing felt enough.
I just wanted for the world to stop, just for one second. I just wanted to catch my breath. At the end, rest is a type of resistance.