Emerge Vancouver

Hip-hop Artists Join a Vancouver Women’s Organization to
End Violence against Women

Corporations and people in power are force-feeding us a brand of hip-hop that isn’t true to its roots. We are taking a stand for some of the core values of true hip-hop. In the words of one of the first hip-hop artists, Afrika Bambaataa, it’s all about peace, unity, love, and having fun.

HIP-HOP: BEYOND BEATS & RHYMES is a documentary that examines gender roles in hip-hop through the lens of filmmaker Byron Hurt, a former college quarterback turned activist. Conceived as a “loving critique” from a self-proclaimed “Hip-Hop Head,” Hurt tackles issues of masculinity, sexism, violence and homophobia in today’s hip-hop culture.

Byron Hurt will be joined by Chuck D front man for Public Enemy in Vancouver teaming up with Battered Women’s Support Services

The film also reveals the complex intersection of culture, money, and gender through on-the-street interviews with aspiring rappers and fans at hip-hop events throughout the US. The film provides thoughtful dialogue from intelligent, divergent voices of rap artists, industry executives, rap fans and social critics from inside and outside the hip-hop generation. 

“Hip hop was created from Bronx, the ghetto, the slum, where marginalized Black and Latino youth were displaced from their environment and land. Just like many Indigenous youth who have had their land and culture stolen and displaced and forced into urbanization because there is no opportunity on the reservations. Indigenous people have the oldest graffiti in the world on the mountains and cliffs that tell the stories of the time and it’s no different than the graffiti in the back alley. Indigenous oral history is no different than rhyming expressing and sharing stories of the present….”  Curtis Clearsky Blackfoot (Blood)/Annishanabe (Saulteaux)

Who:    Battered Women’s Support Services, Chuck D & Byron Hurt

What:   A documentary and panel discussions follow the film
 
Where:   Vancity Theatre, Vancouver International Film Centre
             1181 Seymour St, Vancouver, BC

When:  Friday, November 21, 2008
            Youth shows 10 am– 1pm
            Invitation only show 6 pm – 8:30 pm
            Public show doors open at 8:30 pm film at 9:00 pm
                        
Why:  Cultural Engagement in Preventing Violence Against Women

Emerge Vancouver

Hip-hop Artists Join a Vancouver Women’s Organization to
End Violence against Women

Corporations and people in power are force-feeding us a brand of hip-hop that isn’t true to its roots. We are taking a stand for some of the core values of true hip-hop. In the words of one of the first hip-hop artists, Afrika Bambaataa, it’s all about peace, unity, love, and having fun.

HIP-HOP: BEYOND BEATS & RHYMES is a documentary that examines gender roles in hip-hop through the lens of filmmaker Byron Hurt, a former college quarterback turned activist. Conceived as a “loving critique” from a self-proclaimed “Hip-Hop Head,” Hurt tackles issues of masculinity, sexism, violence and homophobia in today’s hip-hop culture.

Byron Hurt will be joined by Chuck D front man for Public Enemy in Vancouver teaming up with Battered Women’s Support Services

The film also reveals the complex intersection of culture, money, and gender through on-the-street interviews with aspiring rappers and fans at hip-hop events throughout the US. The film provides thoughtful dialogue from intelligent, divergent voices of rap artists, industry executives, rap fans and social critics from inside and outside the hip-hop generation. 

“Hip hop was created from Bronx, the ghetto, the slum, where marginalized Black and Latino youth were displaced from their environment and land. Just like many Indigenous youth who have had their land and culture stolen and displaced and forced into urbanization because there is no opportunity on the reservations. Indigenous people have the oldest graffiti in the world on the mountains and cliffs that tell the stories of the time and it’s no different than the graffiti in the back alley. Indigenous oral history is no different than rhyming expressing and sharing stories of the present….”  Curtis Clearsky Blackfoot (Blood)/Annishanabe (Saulteaux)

Who:    Battered Women’s Support Services, Chuck D & Byron Hurt

What:   A documentary and panel discussions follow the film
 
Where:   Vancity Theatre, Vancouver International Film Centre
             1181 Seymour St, Vancouver, BC

When:  Friday, November 21, 2008
            Youth shows 10 am– 1pm
            Invitation only show 6 pm – 8:30 pm
            Public show doors open at 8:30 pm film at 9:00 pm
                        
Why:  Cultural Engagement in Preventing Violence Against Women

Women’s Leadership and Training Initiative

Battered Women’s Support Services and local organizations host

Brainstorming Sessions

Women’s Empowerment & Violence Against Women

Session 1

Prince Rupert
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
10 am – 2 pm
Refreshments and Lunch Provided
Location:  Aboriginal Head Start – 313 Prince Rupert Blvd.

Session 2

Terrace
Friday, October 17, 2008
10 am – 2 pm
Refreshments and Lunch Provided
Location:
Kitselas Administration Office
2225 Gitaus Road (at Gitaus), Terrace, BC.

For more information or to register
Call Fran at 604-687-1868 (collect calls accepted)
Or email at aboriginalwomensprogram@bwss.org

Women’s Leadership and Training Initiative

What’s this all about?

Battered Women’s Support Services seeks to hold brainstorming sessions with identified stakeholders to develop women’s leadership and training initiative in north west BC.  We are seeking to apply our years of experience in curriculum development and training delivery from a women-centered perspective to work with organizations/stakeholders in identified communities to develop and implement a leadership and training initiatives that are grounded in women’s empowerment, leadership and community development.  Where women can build on existing knowledge to seek their own healing and contribute to the healing of their communities.

BWSS believes strongly that women are the center of communities and to strengthen women is to strengthen communities.  We are not naïve and recognize the forces of oppression that are deeply entrenched and are resistant to change and yet, we believe in the power of women to create opportunities to meet challenges and overcome obstacles.  We believe in this because we see this every day.  We seek to share our knowledge and skills to further social justice from women’s perspective in communities in British Columbia.

With an emphasis on First Nations Women, we seek to collaborate with members of northern communities to integrate local ideas, knowledge, experience to the development and delivery of Women’s Leadership and Training Initiative.

Women’s Leadership and Training Initiative

Battered Women’s Support Services and local organizations host

Brainstorming Sessions

Women’s Empowerment & Violence Against Women

Session 1

Prince Rupert
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
10 am – 2 pm
Refreshments and Lunch Provided
Location:  Aboriginal Head Start – 313 Prince Rupert Blvd.

Session 2

Terrace
Friday, October 17, 2008
10 am – 2 pm
Refreshments and Lunch Provided
Location:
Kitselas Administration Office
2225 Gitaus Road (at Gitaus), Terrace, BC.

For more information or to register
Call Fran at 604-687-1868 (collect calls accepted)
Or email at aboriginalwomensprogram@bwss.org

Women’s Leadership and Training Initiative

What’s this all about?

Battered Women’s Support Services seeks to hold brainstorming sessions with identified stakeholders to develop women’s leadership and training initiative in north west BC.  We are seeking to apply our years of experience in curriculum development and training delivery from a women-centered perspective to work with organizations/stakeholders in identified communities to develop and implement a leadership and training initiatives that are grounded in women’s empowerment, leadership and community development.  Where women can build on existing knowledge to seek their own healing and contribute to the healing of their communities.

BWSS believes strongly that women are the center of communities and to strengthen women is to strengthen communities.  We are not naïve and recognize the forces of oppression that are deeply entrenched and are resistant to change and yet, we believe in the power of women to create opportunities to meet challenges and overcome obstacles.  We believe in this because we see this every day.  We seek to share our knowledge and skills to further social justice from women’s perspective in communities in British Columbia.

With an emphasis on First Nations Women, we seek to collaborate with members of northern communities to integrate local ideas, knowledge, experience to the development and delivery of Women’s Leadership and Training Initiative.

Battered Women Forced to Choose Between Housing and Abuse

Battered Women’s Support Services (BWSS) is on the frontline where women living with intimate partner violence are placed at risk of injury and even death due to the lack of affordable housing.  In recent times, society has told women to leave abusive relationships and crisis services are in place including 30-day crisis shelters for women and their children.  Now more than ever women are leaving abusive relationships go to transitional housing and are forced back to abusive situations due to the absence of affordable housing when the 30 days are up.  It is unacceptable that women are being forced to choose between housing and abuse while corporations, government and related quasi government officials play pass and the blame game.

Homelessness, for many women, is an initial solution to unsafe housing or homes.  Women leave their homes because of physical and/or sexual violence.   Women are often among the “invisible homeless”, over-represented in shelters and transition houses.  In addition, the lack of affordable housing is a factor that prevents women victims of violence from escaping their abusive partners or contributes to their decision to return. 

“The lack of affordable housing forms a dangerous contributing factor for women and children’s increased victimization.  The vacancy rate in market housing is currently at 1.1% in B.C. and 0.9% in the Vancouver area.   A two bedroom suite rents for $1000.00 per month or more. This is an average figure including suites available for $650.00-$800.00 a month in the basements of large houses where two or three tiny units per house have been marketed. Often these suites are uncared for and not actually large enough for a family to live in.   Many women must apply for money from the Ministry of Housing and Social Development because they have left their homes with nothing. They are then expected to find housing they can afford. With income assistance rates well under the poverty line, a two bedroom apartment in the lower mainland currently renting for upwards of $1000.00 is out of reach.” 

“Having a roof over one’s head is not a privilege, it is a human right. Luck and timing seems to play a role in being able to find housing – A woman should not need luck to find a home!”  Said Tamara, Housing Outreach Worker who works at transition house in the lower mainland.  Tamara also notes “housing waitlists have not decreased in the past two years.”

“Battered women don’t leave abusive partners, they escape.” said Rosa Arteaga, BWSS Manager of Direct Services.  BWSS recognizes that securing housing is a key factor in a battered woman’s decision to escape abuse.  It is unacceptable that all three levels of government have neglected to ensure the construction of low cost housing meets the demand, while at the same time caving to corporate interests, entrenching the SRO housing model and playing the blame game.  All over the province transition house workers have told BWSS that the long wait a woman has to find housing once she leaves violence and comes into a transition house is an immense barrier for choosing not to return to her relationship if her option is homelessness once her stay in a transition house is over.  Every battered woman and her children are entitled to safe, affordable and adequate housing so that they can live free from violence and abuse.

Share your comments by clicking below or emailing us at strategicinterventions@bwss.org