The Word on the Street
Hip Hop is a creative form of self expression which is bringing young people from different cultural backgrounds together across the borders of race and religion.
Hip Hop is a nation unto itself according to Hip Hop Arts worker Luke Haralampou, known as Lesson MC. "There is no such thing as prejudice in true Hip Hop culture — it's about respect — in Hip Hop you're only as good as your mind," Luke says.
Luke runs Hip Hop workshops for young people from different cultural backgrounds with funding from Multicultural Affairs Queensland at the Jugglers Art Space in Brisbane. The Word on the Street workshops provide young people with the space to develop skills such as dance, rap, beat boxing and visual arts with support from skilled mentors and peers. "With these skills young people can articulate their stories and express themselves honestly," Luke says.
Through the Word on the Street workshops young people have the rare opportunity to perform and exhibit their work publicly. Luke says the young people are totally empowered by the experience. "I see young guys become skilled communicators through this process," he says. "It also gives the local community an opportunity to learn about young people's stories and develop a deeper cross cultural understanding."
Further south, Logan City's teenagers are also taking up the Hip Hop challenge. The HYPE dance fitness program is a community partnership funded by Griffith University, Logan City Council and Queensland Health to provide students from more than 15 cultural backgrounds with a fun and safe, after-school environment in which to express their artistic talents and take part in physical activity.
Bec Morrison from Fresh Elements Hip Hop Dance Studio says the program uses street dance to increase physical activity levels and contribute to building connectedness and feelings of self-worth in Logan’s youth community.
"It's a great opportunity to integrate diverse ethnic groups through dance," Bec says. "At the end of the 10 week Hip Hop dance classes the students give a public performance that showcases their skills and allows their fellow students and their community to appreciate what they have achieved and how hard they have worked on their routines."
This year the Hype dance event will be held in August.