Stage Your Voice participant

Vera

"There is a shift going on, but it needs to be faster. "

- Vera

"I see no color."

My spoken word for Stage Your Voice is called "State Listed," and it stems from the fact that I believe there is still too little equality in the world and far too few people realize that. I think that's very important. Bizarre that in the year 2021, so many people are still judged by skin color, for example, that so much hate is thrown around. That people make comments like, "I don't see color" and "All lives matter" and don't realize that by doing so they are not acknowledging the inequality that exists. There needs to be change. People need to keep talking about it.

Racism will most likely never completely eliminate the world, but if you really want it, there is always a chance to create more equality and that starts with yourself. Despite the extreme counter-movement, fortunately more and more people are realizing that there is still a lot of acting out of "difference," when there should be no difference at all. I am very aware that I speak from the perspective of white privilege and cannot speak on behalf of people of color. People who experience racism first hand. Nevertheless, I do feel a responsibility to do something.

So much to learn

I think it is important to learn about our history. At school anyway, it was mostly about the Golden Age and the two World Wars. Golden Age sounds more "festive" than it really was. I read many blogs and immerse myself in stories from different perspectives than what you see on TV, for example. There is so much to learn, but so little is told.

After the corona year, I am extra looking forward to Stage Your Voice. Being creative again, making something, performing, meeting new people, learning a lot, but above all being able to share my own work with the world. Working together with the orchestra seems wonderful. The arrangement is going to add so much power to my story. I'm thinking of heavy instruments like the double bass. For extra impact. 

Follow Vera's way to the podium

Vera (18) made a spoken word about racism. She finds it bizarre that in 2021 people are still seen as inferior because of their skin color and background. But also that people still make remarks like: I don't see color. That shows little awareness of the problem.