Thanks to unsuspected phone calls from Assistant Professor Kym Clark and then Professor Reynaldo Ortiz from Binghamton University (State University of New York), my film was showcased via online streaming to the students of LACAS: 380-A: Asian, Latino/a, and African-American Gangs in NY and Californa: Stereotypes and Realities on January 6th, 2010.

Professor Ortiz advised me that the students were shocked to learn of some of the conditions/reasons for youth getting involved in gang activity in Metro Vancouver.  Just as it is stated in my film, some precursors are considered abnormal reasons for motivating youth into this lifestyle.

I was happy to learn that my poetic footage was deemed ‘moving’ by the students.  The use of strong metaphorical visuals and impacting audio seems to be working for bringing awareness.  I hope to use such tools in my future film endeavours.

Currently, Professors Clark & Ortiz are working on bringing me to New York to showcase the film to a larger audience, along with a Q&A.

Shout outs to Kym Clark & Reynaldo Ortiz & Binghamton University.

Thanks,

mani