SOUTH East youths gathered at the Mount Gambier City Hall recently to discuss racism through the Generations in Change program.
Reconciliation SA worked alongside Act Now Theatre to create an engaging and entertaining day for students, encouraging them to get involved and prevent racist behaviour.
The event was a prelude to National Reconciliation Week, which started yesterday and runs until Sunday.
Event coordinator Danielle Ritchie said the anti-racism and culture awareness program, launched in 2014, was well received by participants.
“The second part of the day is an interactive theatre performance which shows racist scenarios,” Ms Ritchie said.
“They are known as open performances which have no ending and allows the students to jump into the play and put a stop to the racist behaviour within the play.
“In the situation it is their job to recognise the behaviours and speak to the person about it and come to a conclusion.”
Ms Ritchie said the performance aimed to “empower students” and allow them to “feel as if they know how to deal with it if they see it”.
“We want them to feel as if they have the knowledge and skills in real life and to have their say if they witness racism in others,” she said.
“It is quite scary for students to be in a room with so many people but as the day goes on it is quite special as they come together and commonly agree the behaviour is not accepted.”
Teachers are also involved in the program, Ms Ritchie holding private discussions about reconciliation within their school and action plans.
“The teachers are wonderful to work with, we allow the students to speak about whether they believe there is racism within their schools and we do this by taking the teachers out of the room so the students feel as though they can speak about these things,” Ms Ritchie said.
“Then the teachers come back in the theatre and students will share their ideas and performances.”
Pangula Mannamurna will host its Reconciliation Week community event tomorrow from 12pm to 2pm with a barbecue lunch.
SA Water will also unveil its mural recently painted by local youths at the Blue Lake Pumping Station.
