大象传媒

Exclusion

"My family were the first Asian family in Abernant. They came here about 20 years ago after having my three older sisters in Nigeria where my dad worked as a Biology Lecturer. They come originally from a poor village in India called Pagalpul.

When they moved to Abernant they bought their own business - a shop and a post office - and my mother learnt English by just watching day-to-day television. As my family settled they began to fit in more and became used to the new people and culture. However, we were still called different as we did kind of stand out amongst the crowd.

As I grew up I noticed that I wasn't treated the same as the others in my school. I found it hard to make friends and people didn't think I was normal, whatever normal means. We used to have big gangs outside our shop who threw racial abuse at us which made me feel I wasn't wanted here. I relied on my two closest friends to get me through the racism, I also began to bring up witty remarks to defend myself and to just shut them up. By doing this I soon realised that I didn't care what people thought about me and that I only needed to be happy with myself.

My confidence started to build up when I went into Secondary school and made new friends and kept to the feeling that I didn't care what people thought. Doing this made me more opinionated and strong-minded. I had made a new beginning.

My family and I also want people in Abernant to get involved in our festivals to help them understand who we are. We invited many local people to my sister's wedding so they could see how our religion works and experience a whole different way of doing things. The wedding was at Cyfarthfa Castle and we even had the band to play, which was brilliant.

It goes to show that no matter what colour or background you belong to we can still interact and enjoy each other's experiences.

These days my family and I feel that this is definitely our home and that we belong here. We feel comfortable and wanted. We fit in with the crowd."

Please tell us a little about yourself.
I'm 15 years old and have lived in Abernant all my life. I love going out with my friends, listening to music and playing badminton. I have been a victim of racism all my life but have learnt to deal with it through the years.

What's your story about?
The struggle of my family and I as they first moved to Abernant and my experiences of being treated differently due to my culture. It also explains how we've started to fit in through the years and have been accepted by the community. I have shown how I have dealt with the racism in my own way and how I've relied on the support of my friends.

Why did you choose to tell this particular story?
I feel that I needed to express my feelings of growing up in an environment where you're automatically judged on your appearance. I also thought it would be interesting for people to see a different life and a different culture; to define the fact that being 'different' doesn't have to be a bad thing and that, if anything, it makes you more interesting.

What did you find most rewarding about the workshop?
The feeling that I had expressed my feelings and my life in a way that everyone can see. It's also satisfying to know that I have made something unique and something that reflects my life.

Your comments

"I felt the same way when I moved to a new place and the differences in our cultures." Munjot Singh. Sterling Heights, US, Sept 2007.

"This film was very touching, funny yet honest. It's a shame that we still live in fear of racism. This young boy should be commended for his work and determination to fight for his right." Seema, Cardiff, Sept 2007.