school violence video winner of breakthrough award

Dear AASRA,

The judges have spoken!

We're pleased to announce that the winner for the I AM THIS LAND contest on diversity is Role Call!



Role Call was created by a team of students and alumni from Flushing International High School (FIHS) in Queens, New York under the supervision of FIHS Media Arts Teacher, Dillon Paul. The MTV-style video - of a student in class daydreaming about gender, cultural expression, and racial stereotypes - won the judges over.

Click to watch I AM THIS LAND contest winner! "Role Call"



The Breakthrough media team met with winners and we were quite taken with their story. Watch our interview with the high school team HERE. "The video was created in response to several incidents of violence in our school, and our desire to use media to promote respect and tolerance in our school and beyond," said teacher Dillon Paul. "Our students come from approximately 40 different countries and speak 20 different languages. Like most high schools, however, cultural differences, sexual and gender identity can be sources of discomfort and fear, leading to bigotry, bullying and violence."



Paul worked with current students and two alumni, Jean Franco Vergaray and Osbani Garcia, to introduce the Gay Straight Alliance, that promotes respect and equality for LGBTQ youth, at the school. Said Franco, "That we could portray one person being all these different personalities, all these different identities, was just a way to say, diversity is okay. People shouldn't be labeled."



We're also pleased to announce the first runner up: What Are You? created by Genevieve Lin of Seattle, Washington.



Second runners-up (of equal ranking) are: I'm Coming Out and American Girl, by Eliyas Qureshi of Jersey City, New Jersey; American Dream by Suhir Ponncchamy of Belle Mead, New Jersey and Listen by Luke McKay of Fenton, Michigan. Please check out the site to watch all the amazing entries.



Thank you for using your creativity to build a society that respects human rights and values of dignity, equality and justice!



The Breakthrough Team

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Breakthrough is a global human rights organization that uses the power of media, pop culture, and community mobilization to inspire people to take bold action for dignity, equality, and justice.