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“This mural is representing a caterpillar growing into a butterfly over time, and it goes from dark to light in the background. That’s representing everything we hate, the dark, and it just grows, and the butterfly eventually flowers in the sun. I was actually the one who pitched that idea, and it came to life in the mural.”
This mural is one of several recently revealed across the province, building on the final report of the Commissioner’s inquiry into hate during the pandemic, “From Hate to Hope.”
Hisham said he’s experienced racism since he was a child, and has witnessed other incidents of racism and hate in the classroom and around his community.
He’s also grateful for local inclusive groups and initiatives, including Risebridge’s summer youth programs.
“I feel like it’s a very inclusive program. They take all ideas, they don’t just exclude people. They listen, and everybody who runs it are very nice people.”
B.C.’s human rights commissioner Kasari Govender was planning to attend in person but was forced to attend virtually due to a cancelled flight due to low-hanging fog.
While acknowledging some movement from the province, Govender said the government has taken “far too small of steps in the right direction” when it comes to addressing racism in B.C.
This isn’t the first mural painted by Humanity in Art for Nanaimo.
A literacy-inspired mural painted by the pair was unveiled at the Vancouver Island Regional Library in Nanaimo in August.
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jordan@nanaimonewsnow.com
On Twitter: @JordanDHeyNow
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