Equality for All – The Compelling E‑Zine by Artswork’s Youth Board
Our Youth Board recently created a thought-provoking E‑Zine about Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI). The idea for the zine emerged from issues the young people discussed together at their last in-person away day, including:
- Racism and discrimination – particularly how there’s no education in schools to raise awareness on the impacts of this, as well as little to no consequences for poor attitudes
- Language barriers – the lack of support and basic rights for those who experience language barriers
- Unlearning hatred – what we can all do to unlearn the hatred that young people have either grown up with, absorbed via misinformation from social media, and how we can make the futures of young people more positive
Following on from this, the Youth Board decided on the messages they would like to communicate, ensuring that everyone’s voices were heard. These were:
- Expressing and accepting yourself and others by looking beyond stereotypes, learning about religion, culture, race, sexuality and gender
- Celebrating, educating and advocating the importance of individuality
- The importance of diversity, and having a community of people who accept you for who you are
We asked our Youth Board “What is the message you are most happy that the zine communicates?”
“Our collaboration together to make a piece that represents some things we strongly believe in.”
“The sense of equality and togetherness is really well pushed across, enhancing the sense of community.”
“That everyone has worth and is important (that they are worth consideration).”
“I’m really pleased that it shows stereotypes can be harmful.”
We also asked them what they are most proud of:
“I love how different elements link and come together as a cohesive whole. This meant the teamwork was satisfying as well as the result.”
“The funky fonts! They really get the message across.”
“Our pictures of our different cultures and other things that represent us in our own way”