The trio read out essays from their debut book I Will Not Be Erased: Our Stories About Growing Up As People of Colour. In a very open and frank account they addressed the audience on a range of issues about drug taking, body image and the power of an individual and collective voice.
Their poignant collection of essays challenged entrenched beliefs about race and sex and about inequality and misinterpretation in the media. Cowan said it is important for children and teenagers to see people in the media that they can identify with, people who are like them. She said this “representation in the media shows you actually exist”.
The panel encouraged the audience to “use your voice” to celebrate diverse range of individuals in society. They gave tips for young people on how to “curate” their own “social media space”. Shand-Baptiste said she finds the “mute” button on Twitter and Instagram very effective to get rid of “anyone who makes me feel inadequate".
If you are interested in more events like this, please also see Event HD53 at 11.30am on Thursday 30 May.
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Pictured L-R Nina Dahmani and Kuba Shand-Baptiste and Leah Cowan
Picture by Morgan Williams