They say a picture can tell a thousand words and it seems colours can too, I have worn ribbons and bands of different colours to raise awareness; pink for breast cancer, yellow for cancer, red for AIDS and blue for anti-bullying and this year will be the second time I’ve had to dig out something orange for Little Miss to go to school as today is Orange Shirt Day.
Orange Shirt Day, September 30th, is a day when Canadians honour the Indigenous children that were sent away to residential schools in Canada and learn more about the history of those schools.
Orange isn’t an obvious colour choice in our house but I managed to find an orange-ish t-shirt and an orange mask (certainly wouldn’t have had this pre-COVID 19!), however knowing how Little Miss would probably highlight they’re the wrong shade I made some hair accessories for her too as believe awareness for Orange Shirt Day is important.
The message that Phyllis, the founder of this movement, wants to share on Orange Shirt Day and every day is that every child matters and I couldn’t agree more, just as every life matters regardless of race, colour, sexuality or beliefs.
I am aware I have lead a privileged life due to my fair skin and being born in the UK, unlike my mother who was born in South Africa and suffered oppression and violence due to apartheid. On the outside I’m caucasian but at heart I’m mixed race and from my mother’s experiences as a child before my grandfather immigrated to England in the sixties I don’t feel it’s inappropriate to stand up and shout out that all lives matter!
Orange Shirt Day began in schools in 2013 with the view that children can be educated and teach their parents and elders. CBC shares some ideas of how people can get involved with raising awareness.
Of the many atrocities that have happened across the globe in the past it is vital that we learn from the mistakes made and ensure history doesn’t repeat itself. Our children are more than just a shining light in their parents eyes but also for humankind.
Tanoshimi 