Randy McLaren: Articulating Social Justice

Did you know that Friday, February 20 is the World Day of Social Justice? And did you know that Jamaica will be celebrating the Day – most emphatically, and most articulately?

So this coming Friday, dub poet, performer and “Kriativ Aktivis” Randy McLaren will be at the Institute of Jamaica in downtown Kingston from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 pm. to present a creative, energetic, youth-oriented perspective on social justice. Admission is free.

McLaren, a Branson Centre entrepreneur, heads a social enterprise called Articulet Edutainment – its slogan is “Entertain Change,” (I love that). The forum will include poetry, edu-drama, visual arts and photography to get young people engaged in thinking about issues like inequality, human rights, and the way we treat our disadvantaged populations.

Now, if you have not seen Mr. McLaren in action – you really should drop by and see what’s going on. A young man with boundless energy, humor, humanity and an intuitive spark that connects him to his audience, he is not afraid to tackle the “heavy” issues that some entertainers shy away from. The aim is to educate, to help audiences understand and empathize with what is going on around them in society. So on Friday, the Kriativ Aktivis and his Articulet Entertainers will tackle topics like child abuse, rights and responsibilities, children in conflict with the law, gender roles, lack of opportunities, the urban/rural divide (which is real in Jamaica), youth mainstreaming and migration.

Basically, the arts are a powerful vehicle for change, aren’t they. Perhaps especially for Jamaican youth. McLaren’s approach is interactive, inclusive, full of life and humor. Very, very Jamaican.

Go see Randy McLaren – participate, enjoy. If you have a young person in your family, encourage them to go. They will be inspired, I guarantee you.

For further information, contact Articulet Edutainment at 890-5910 or getarticulet@gmail.com. You can find them on Facebook, Twitter (@getarticulet @RandyMclarenRM)

For more on World Social Justice Day, go to http://www.un.org/en/events/socialjusticeday/index.shtml