Artists Against Racism A Toronto-based International Non-profit Organization Where Artists and Celebrities Reach Out To Youth. Artists Against Racism, initially just a non-profit educational poster campaign for every school across Canada, was just a dream back in December, l992.             Canadian journalist, Lisa Cherniak, was fed up with the daily news of white supremacists recruiting youth in Canada by their pamphletting of schools, minorities being physically attacked, the production of "hate rock" music to 'appeal' to youth (Canada has the largest hate-rock record label in North America although the CD's are produced in the U.S.A.), hate groups forming on the Internet, and racist comic books being distributed around Toronto's schools (found on sale and taken off the shelves at Walmart).             Cherniak decided that more education than just reporting the news was necessary to protect minorities in Canada and around the world in our increasingly multicultural global village.             But Cherniak wasn't the only Canadian who believed, as Margaret Mead did, that  even a small number of individuals working together could become a powerful, educational force. Mendelson Joe, a renowned Canadian artist and musician, came on board as a consultant, donated funding, and also  produced and donated a painting specially for the poster's image.       And what better way to influence youth–the leaders and intellects of tomorrow's hopefully ever-more multiracial society–than by also enlisting other prominent artists youth adore–artists who realized their involvement could be a powerful vehicle to create understanding by serving as role models to their millions of young fans.       _______________________ We must come to the point where we realize the concept of race is a false one. There is only one race, the human race. -Dan Aykroyd   _______________________ Prominent children's singer, Raffi, and Neil Peart, drummer for music group, RUSH, were the first to sign onto the campaign, donating their names and funds for the poster. Since early Spring, l993, more than 100 other top Canadian and American artists with a conscience have joined the campaign, as have several organizations and citizens committed to human rights.             Education ministries across Canada began distributing our posters (two types: French or English) to every school across the nation (in Nov., l995), the Canadian Library Association is distributing them to every public library, all the YMCA's and YWCA's are receiving them through their head offices, as are major nightclubs across Canada. AAR also offeris these posters and taped PSA's (public service announcements) to interested people worldwide.       A city bus exposes the message of anti-racism to the public. _______________________ Racism has been to human relationships what cancer has been to human existence. It is a disease that eats away at the very fabric of humanity itself -Oscar Peterson   _______________________ AAR's slogan, "We are all one people...From different places" is meant both literally, and non-literally, for sometimes our faces or places of origin are not so different, but our faiths or religions are, and to one another, we appear different. This type of racism also utilizes unnecessary animosity, subersively, in North America.          Along the way, in the development and fund-raising for this monumental project, many volunteers and corporations helped AAR. Thanks to Canadian Heritage, MuchMusic (Canada's music video t.v. station), many supporting artists, and the B'nai Brith League for Human Rights (Canada), funding for the poster became possible by July, l995. With the AAR website, PSA's, billboards, radio and video PSA's, and by being connected with interested volunteers, human rights groups and other individuals who on their own are also trying to make a difference, AAR was able to take their campaign worldwide. _______________________ We all should know that diversity makes for a rich tapestry, and we must understand that all the threads of the tapestry are equal in value no matter what their color. -Maya Angelou   _______________________ One's name may be the most valuable thing one owns, but in addition, each of the concerned artists involved with AAR is proactive, donating time and funds, whenever possible, to demonstrate their sincere interest in being role models to youth in the fight against prejudice. To use their stature positively, and to make the world a better place, is the greatest service they say they can do. Some of the artists and celebrities involved with ARR are: MUSICIANS: Matchbox 20, Hootie and the Blowfish, Oscar Peterson, Chumbawamba, Rush, Aerosmith, Matthew Sweet, B.B. King, Neil Young, Celine Dion, k.d. lang, Bush, Sarah McLachlan, Midnight Oil, Robbie Robertson, Paul Shaffer, Joni Mitchell, Indigo Girls, Phil Collins, Ani DiFranco,  Leonard Cohen,  Michelle Wright, The Tragically Hip, Moist, Barenaked Ladies, Susan Aglukark, The Jeff Healey Band, The Rankin Family, Wide Mouth Mason, Blue Rodeo, Colin James, Prairie Oyster, Ian Thomas, Dan Hill, Kashtin, Moxy Fruvous, Raffi, 54-40, Holly Cole, Corey Hart, Salome Bey ACTORS: Kiefer Sutherland, Dan Aykroyd, Ralph Fiennes, Lou Diamond Phillips, Andrea Martin,  Mike Myers, Martin Short, Graham Greene, Eugene Levy, Ricki Lake. DIRECTORS: Norman Jewison, Atom Egoyan Artists Against Racism can be reached at: AAR International Box 54511 Toronto, Ontario, Canada  M5M 4N5 Phone: +1 (416) 410-5631 E-mail: aar@idirect.com Website: http://www.ArtistsAgainstRacism.org This article was compiled and adapted from the AAR website with permission. This website: Copyright © 2000 Dream World Media / Urban Mozaik Magazine. All rights reserved. The opinions expressed in Urban Mozaik Magazine are not necessarily those of Urban Mozaik Magazine and the publisher cannot be held responsible for them. This website/publication, in whole or in part, may not be reproduced without written permission from the publisher.				AAR TEACHES YOUTH that regardless of one's religion, ethnicity, nationality or skin colour, we are all ONE PEOPLE, to prevent youths from adopting prejudiced attitudes. AAR ARTISTS REACH OUT AS ROLE MODELS to youth via: T.V. and Radio Public Service Announcements (PSAs), logos on CD Jackets, benefit CDs and concerts, Subway and Outdoor Billboards, School Posters and videos, music magazine and newspaper ads, and more...the prevention of prejudice through education AAR's MISSION: TO BUILD an UNDERSTANDING of all peoples. To speak to the youth, the future of our global community, about the basic human right of equality, so that a civilized society will, in the next millennium, finally result... AAR's Community Program provides huge (24';X36';) four-color AAR Posters featuring the names of numerous artists, to schools, libraries and concerned community groups worldwide, and provides Radio and TV PSA's (public service announcements/ commercials featuring artist members) for airing worldwide. AAR also offers Violet Anti-Racism Ribbons, AAR Info Tables at concerts, a great Newsletter, Website, Subway and Outdoor Billboards, and more!             AAR's School Program (from elementary to university) provides our unique AAR Video to schools, our Posters, CDs with artist announcements,  our Website with much educational material for youth, and an on-line Youth Magazine.