Jamming out with the girls @ Massey in Windsor!

Jamming out with the girls @ Massey in Windsor!

What an amazing way to end 2 weeks on the road traveling to schools across Ontario!  We found ourselves in Windsor Ontario, just across the water from Detroit City.  Some of the most amazing music has come out of this region (RIP J DILLA) and I was thrilled to meet the kids growing up around the way.

The first school JL FORESTER was a pretty big school, however about half the kids did not make it to the show as it was the Muslim holiday of EID which I learned was a day to observe the ideal of sacrifice in obedience to God.  The girls that were there more than made up in cheering for the missing students, and we definitely had a great show.  I was particularly struck by the last comment that came from a girl in the front row wearing a blue sweatshirt.  She let us know that she was from Haiti and that the situation there was “not a joke“.

In our presentation we talk about the issues faced by young people in HAITI, focusing on the fact that many kids are thrown into adult prisons as young as 7 and 8 years old.  This is particularly striking for the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere where 50% of the population is below the age of 18.  It makes me think about the power and lack of power for young people to change their current situation.  In spite of being the first black led republic and the first independent Caribbean state, the government of Haiti has not been progressive in providing basic necessities to the the people including roads, running water and education.  This said, how can the young people of the world stand idly by when a country of youth with hopes and dreams like you and I fight for a future?  Haiti is a beautiful country, and I encourage any students reading this to ask your teachers if you could learn more about the situation there either by requesting the learning guide available at WHAT’S THE 411 or going to the library / internet and looking up that information yourself.  I think back to the girl at JL Forester that reminded us that not only was the situation in Haiti a very difficult one, but that our world is getting smaller and though we often think these problems are far away, we are a global community.  We have so much to learn from our friends and peers that have experienced things we have never seen to help us understand first hand what it means to contribute as a positive light in this world.  This is what I mean when I tell everyone to hold their “peace signs” up and yell One Love.

VINCENT MASSEY was probably the livest and LOUDEST school we have been to, to date!  I had such an amazing time, and it was a great way to end our string of shows into the weekend.  Many girls came up to me after the show to let me know that they loved Return of the Bgirl, and that they started Bgirling (breakdancing) too.  That’s amazing ladies, keep training and stay inspired!  I secretly hope this is one of the schools that might win the SCHOOL DANCE CONTEST because you guys had such a great vibe, and I know rocking a party for all of you would be a concert to remember!

Nana always holds it down as the best host ever!

Nana always holds it down as the best host ever!

Thanks for coming out and supporting the Girl movement CBC!

Thanks for coming out and supporting the Girl movement CBC!

Q&A is a good time to figure out what we can personally do to help!

Q&A is a good time to figure out what we can personally do to help!

These girls snuck backstage after the show, tsk tsk tsk! LOL

These girls snuck backstage after the show, tsk tsk tsk! LOL

I love meeting the girls after the show! Look at all the shiny happy faces!

I love meeting the girls after the show! Look at all the shiny happy faces!

ps: For all you aspiring Bgirls that I met, my friend Scramblelock recently showed me this video he made! I thought it was such a creative way of showcasing his dancing! Check it out below. Hope it inspires you to make your own flick!

Scramblelock – Love City from Scramblelock on Vimeo.