Youth Anti-Racism Rap Competition

The UN International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, also known as Harmony Day, marks the day in 1960 when police opened fire on a peaceful anti-apartheid protest in Sharpeville, South Africa. On 23 March 2004 young people from across the Western Region gathered in Footscray Mall for a rap competition to celebrate Harmony Day.

Young women and men performed rap verses on issues of anti-racism, human rights and social justice to an enthusiastic crowd of young people and the broader community.

Young people at the Anti-racism Rap Competition.

This fantastic event was organised by young people of refugee and migrant backgrounds living in the West, and was a collaboration between the Western Young Peoples Independent Network (WYPIN), Women's Health West and Maribyrnong City Council. Youth people were involved in every aspect of the day: attending meetings, deciding on graphics, recruiting rappers, bringing young people along and being MCs on the day.

Three male and three female rappers performed, their lyrics focussing on being young ,, experiences of racism, and how to fight it. Women's Health West and a range of other organisations held stalls and gave away information on health, family violence, safer sex, drugs and alcohol, along with free stickers, stencils, magazines and CDs.