Racism Free Ontario

Amanda Parris is a student of passion whose work is inspired by the layered complexity of artists such as Audre Lorde and the critical interrogation employed by activists such as Angela Davis.

As a student completing her honours undergraduate degree in Political Science and Women’s Studies, Amanda recognized that art and education could be utilized as powerful tools to create transformative change.  With this purpose in mind, she is the co-founder of the alternative education organization  Lost Lyrics and has worked with innovative organizations such as Remix Project, a youth-led urban arts organization.

These experiences helped Amanda to recognize her own potential as a creative storyteller.  Since 2009, she has been exploring herself as a writer, performer and director through the creation of her one-woman play 32C and has worked as a director for  T-Dot Renaissance   and The Manifesto Festival’s Wombmanifesto.

“I want us to no longer need Black History Month because the day has come that the mainstream education system is no longer mired in Eurocentric pedagogues.  I want us to no longer need Black History Month because the day has come that the mainstream media is no longer rooted in capitalist, mind-numbing, colonial-inspired constructions.  I want us to no longer need Black History Month because the day has come that the justice system will no longer be based on the prison industrial complex. Unfortunately, that day has not yet come.”

 (Video @  Amanda Parris)