ComiX4= » The fight against racism

“In Lak’ech”, Dace Sietina

ComiX4= — Tue, 09 Jul 2013 15:00:13 +0000

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Summary

In Lak’ech, a young girl lived deep in the woods with her mother. They were in hiding because the girl suffered from hirsutism. The mother got very ill, and before she died she gave a silver pendant to her daughter. The girl was lonely and scared. She buried her mother and cried for days. A robber saw her, captured her and locked her up in his cage. The girl was sold to the circus and turned into a circus freak. She was very unhappy: she grew up in captivity and slavery. But her silver pendant encouraged her not to give up. She cried for help. Suddenly, the lock to her cage was broken by a shower of meteorites and she escaped. She ran until she reached her home. This leaves us with the message: No one is better than anyone else.

Biography

Dace Sietina was born in Jelgava, Latvia but now lives in Gouda, in the Netherlands. She studied Illustration at the Willem de Kooning Academy in Rotterdam. She likes to tell unusual stories, in which the message becomes clear when you read between the lines

Page 1

1. One day the sand clock appeared on my mother’s face

2. The passage of time was unstoppable and she was running out of time

3. She gave me a silver pendant before she died / Just be yourself there’s no one better

4. I cried and I cried and I cried and I cried and I cried

Page 2

1. I didn’t realize somebody was watching me

2. In the blink of an eye I was captured / 10 years later

3. Freak show presents the bear-faced girl, only tonight in your home town / I can tell you, being famous is very lonely.

4. I was growing up in absolute captivity “please let me be free”

Page 3

1. But on this particular night a shower of meteorites broke the chain

2. I ran for my life, all the way back home

3. In Lak’ech – I am you and you are me / Just be yourself there’s no one better

4. The end

“We’re all dogs”, Camilo Collao

ComiX4= — Tue, 09 Jul 2013 08:28:07 +0000

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Summary

A black dog discovers the difficult working conditions faced by migrants without papers in Paris.

Biography

I was born in France in 1981, and grew up in Les Ulis, in the suburbs of Paris. I’m a comic-strip author and graphic artist, and have had some books published in French. I have also made various short animation films. I live and work in Paris.

Page 1

1. Go away! Please leave me alone!

2. Suddenly your heart is as hard as a stone! / Tell me what the problem is; you love me, that’s enough, forget about him! / Your blood will be wasted, he’s a wacko, you’ll be busted.

3. How busted? Don’t make me laugh I survived so many street pathes! / You’re too proud, I told you, let’s escape to another city!

4. Courageous I am not, I won’t fight, he will marry me to a white.

Page 2

1. Forgive me, forget me, love is forbidden to me.

2. Don’t want to fight for my love? Then go to hell!

3. I won’t escape from this city, change your mind quickly.

4. Hah, I’m not feeling so well.

5. I’ve seen it all, what did you expect ?

Page 3

1. Calm down, please take a cigarette. / Thanks, I feel as down as a carpet.

2. The girl loves you, that’s for sure, don’t mistake her feelings, they are so pure.

3. I don’t understand, I’m afraid of her father, she doesn’t want me around. / New neighbour you don’t know the guy, she doesn’t want you weighed down.

4. I was once an unofficial worker for the man, he left me, as a souvenir, a nice scar. / I don’t have an ID card.

5. Papers are crucial in this country, without them, you can’t be very sure of your security. / I told you lots of black jobs are controlled by unscrupulous white-collar workers.

Page 4

1.Tell me the story behind your scar, I’ll take care of myself later. / Do you see that tram over there? Years ago I worked for this scam.

2. Your girl’s dad was my boss, he enjoyed insulting us every day at work, what a tosser

3. The payment was low, for the employees too, the work increased without any time limits. Step by step we became slaves like during the age of the pyramids.

4. Profits made out of fear, made out of us, that was too much!

5. I went to the office to express my disgust.

Page 5

1. A scar is born.

2. Every time I see the tram now I feel bored. My colleagues, touched by my fate, decided to rebel. Later they reached out to the media.

3. For 100 days they stayed on the construction site fighting for their papers and their rights. Journalists revealed that the modern-ish tram was built by means of ancient slavery. That was the idea.

4. Paris is full of black workers. Bosses take the life out of them directly. Mountains of cash are made off their backs, totally illegally.

5. Listen to your girl and run away from her dad. He has all the cards in his hand to make you sad.

Page 6

1. Guys like him take rights over their brothers’ lives, migrant workers with no papers are restricted to dangerous sites.

2. By themselves, others sell items in the subway, escaping police patrols.

3. While some are running in dark tunnels, like endless black holes.

4. We should go, they’ll soon be after us! Should we take the bus?

5. Listen to my advice lad, and please think twice.

6. All those stories are not fictional, remember that when you take the tram in Paris.

“Cookies and Milk”, Leksi (Ivanka Aleksandrova)

ComiX4= — Fri, 05 Jul 2013 13:36:44 +0000

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Summary

Cookies and Milk is a short comic looking at the roots of racial discrimination, created by a UK-based/Bulgarian illustrator/comic-book artist/writer called Ivanka Leksi. It aims to provoke thought about our own individual responsibility to stand up for what is right even in the most difficult circumstances. I chose children’s storytelling and a visually appealing style for this very serious subject. The reason for this choice is to create juxtaposition and to underline the carelessness we often see in racial prejudice.

Biography

I was born in Bulgaria. Twelve years ago I moved to the United Kingdom, to the beautiful multicultural capital of London, where I gained my BA in Design at Central St Martins College. Since graduation I have been working as a freelance designer and illustrator.

Page 1

1. Some time ago in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria… / Candies and lollies make you grow wings, cake in the morning is good for a king, how I love fluffy doughnut rings, but a cookie with milk is my favorite thing. / Stop singing with your mouth full, or you will marry a gypsy.

2. Mom, why shouldn’t Zorie marry a gypsy?

3. Don’t be ridiculous. Denise, everyone knows that gypsies travel around and steal children in a bag. Then they make them into soap.

4. The lady in the old house with the rose garden cooks a really nice soup. She gave some to me once and it was amazing – almost as good as cookies! / Zorie, you promised to take me there.

5. Mom, can we go there now? / Ok, but be back in time for dinner.

Page 2

1. Hi, Mrs. Galia you look pretty today in your dress. I want to introduce you to my sister Denise. / Hi Zorie, Denise, come on in!

2. This is my little boy Asen I have been telling you about.

3. Would you like to try some soup? / Mom, I think they would like cookies with milk. / Such a gentleman, aahh!

4. There are only 2 left. Please you 2 have them.

5. A few hours later… It’s getting late. We need to go now! / Would you like to come and visit us at our house tomorrow? / Sure! I’ll be there.

Page 3

1. Next day… / Hi / Hi Asen, let me show you our room and toys. My mom is out buying cookies, she will bring them back soon.

2. Mom, you are back, we have a friend visiting. Did you bring the cookies? / Yes, take some! I’ll meet your friend later. Today I saw something suspicious in the rose garden house. There was a gypsy woman who was cooking soup. Isn’t that where Mrs. Galia you have been telling me about lives? Poor woman, I hope she didn’t end up in the pot.

3. Mom, what do gypsies look like? / Well… They have chocolate milk skin.

4. Ooh no! Asen is a gypsy! I need to tell Denise…

5. Kids’ room / Denise, Asen is a gypsy! / How do you know?/ Mom said gypsies have chocolate milk skin.

6. Asen, quick under the bed!

7. Family meeting. / I need to check for my purse. / Embarrassment!!!..playing with a gypsy?!? / you, young man, are a bad influence on my kids and are no longer welcome in this house. As for you, twins, you are going to aunt Bertha’s house to learn some discipline!

Page 4

1. Hi aunt Bertha, can we stay here? / No we are leaving now. / Yes sir!

2. In the middle of the night… / It must be a fire. The kids?!…safe! For God’s sake I can’t find my clothes.. just save your life woman!!!

3. I hope our flat doesn’t catch fire…

4. Say cheese! / That’s called a real gentleman! / I really need to put something on!

5. Ms. Galia’s house / Ohh, look at what we have here.

6. You can go in now. / We came as soon as we heard. / Mom why are you wearing Mrs. Galia’s dress?

7. But… but these are desperate times Denise. / The end.

“Roma Refugees”, Laura Ķeniņš

ComiX4= — Fri, 05 Jul 2013 13:28:39 +0000

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Summary

Roma people are Europe’s most widely persecuted minority. Moving to Hungary to study, I knew about discrimination against Roma people in central Europe but I was shocked to see how casually racist people were, even those who otherwise considered themselves open-minded. In Canada, “gypsy” stereotypes are more commonly about fairy tales than crime. At the same time that I moved, Canada started receiving large numbers of Hungarian Roma refugees and some similarly racist attitudes appeared in the Canadian media. This comic is an introduction to the story of the refugees.

Biography

My grandparents migrated from Latvia to Canada during the Second World War, remaining part of the active Latvian community there. I visited Latvia for the first time in 2005 and moved there in 2012. I work as a journalist and artist in Riga.

Page 1

1. In 2011 the greatest number of refugees to Canada didn’t come from a war-torn or poverty-stricken nation, but from Hungary, a European Union country.

2. These refugee applicants were Hungarian Roma, fleeing discrimination, poverty and violence under Hungary’s right-wing government and increasingly intolerant environment.

3. In addition to segregated schools, discrimination in the job market, and living in neglected communities, Roma face violence and hate speeches, especially from people associated with the militant far-right party Jobbik.

4. For many years “cigánybűnözs,” “gypsy crime,” was an official category used by Hungarian police. / My wallet was stolen! / GYPSIES!

5. In Europe Roma are often a convenient scapegoat to blame for any crime, or sometimes seemingly for any social problem.

6. Canadians asked why EU citizens couldn’t move to another country in Europe, but discrimination remains strong and other countries find other ways to deal with Roma migrants. / OUT! / Back to Romania. / Or whatever.

7. In Canada most people don’t really know or hear enough about Roma to think much about these stereotypes. / I’ve been to Europe, it’s no wonder everyone despises these people. / However…

Page 2

1. …Canada has its own racists and right-wing government willing to spread them. / Pickpockets, criminals and welfare recipients—are these really the people we want in our country?

2. The Canadian government’s response to the large number of refugees was to put up a billboard in the town of Miskolc telling Roma not to come. / NO! Canada doesn’t want you.

3. Meanwhile, the mayor of Miskolc told Roma they would not be welcomed back if they left for Canada and suggested all refugee claimants were criminals. / We will do everything to prevent these criminals from residing in Miskolc!

4. And graffiti appeared on Roma houses telling them to go to Canada.

None of this has stopped violence, racism, or the desire to emmigrate.

5. Obviously, sending all Hungary’s Roma to Canada should not be the solution, but promoting racist attitudes is not a good solution either. / Both sides need to work against institutionalized racism and stop spreading damaging stereotypes, letting Roma safely set up home wherever they choose.

“A story of migration? …or a tale to fight racism?”, Nuno Abreu

ComiX4= — Fri, 05 Jul 2013 13:22:23 +0000

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Summary

A day in the life of a skinhead who abuses members of a minority group (which represents all other minorities), but is constantly stopped by members of the majority. When he insults a black player, even the rival team’s players defend him. When he tries to separate a black man from his girlfriend, she tells him to go away, when he beats up a black homeless man, he’s arrested. After being released on bail, and after a whole life spent opposed to migration, seeing the majority defend minorities from his racist abuse makes him consider migrating. I have tried to show some of the abuses minorities suffer, the ignorance of bigots, the connections between racism and issues of migration, and how stronger support for minorities can deter racists.

Biography

The author was born in Spain and moved to Portugal when he was a child. He studied art and migrated to the UK, before moving back to Portugal. He is now looking for a stable job in Portugal as he works on publishing his comics.

Page 1

1. …in either case, it is a story of rivalry that starts with a safer form of rivalry, in a football stadium, somewhere in southern Europe… Once again in the football arena, like in all other arenas when they are fair, a black man proves his equal worth, and once again, a white man feels envy…

2. ungh! / umpf!

3. Hey! Immigrant scum! That ball was for my team! first they take our jobs…then they take our balls- ha! / Here’s a banana for you to play with, let go of the ball! Balls are what whites have- he, he!

4. Don’t listen to that guy. We need you. He doesn’t even know what he’s saying! Let me handle this, brother. Don’t worry.

5. He can’t see past colours? Very well…let me show him what’s under mine.

6. Come on! Not that pro-immigrant, anti-racist crap again!

Page 2

1. And so after being rushed out of the stadium by those “pro-immigrant, anti-racists”… / oh, great. Another black. Probably an immigrant too.

2. …and I love you, I do./ love you too, boo / hey! You two! Stop it!

3. Hey! Leave her alone

4. Get your filthy paws off her, you freaking alien! You rapist n… / hey, stop! He’s not harassing me, moron! He’s my boyfriend

5. It’s all your fault…that they keep coming, taking our wom…jobs!

you’re white! you should prefer one of us, not this…this…

6. If they didn’t buy what we produce…if we didn’t have their products to buy at lower prices than our own…we couldn’t even create enough jobs, you ignorant thug!

Page 3

1. Honey, please… he didn’t mean it! / Of course he meant it, darling, he’s mean! Don’t be so kind to them! Don’t ever take their abuse! / And you…it’s you who should get out! Get your hatred and bigotry and selfishness out of your system / hippy, tolerant bitch…

2. Here’s what I got for our system!

3. Ahhh, who cares… let the black have her! She wasn’t that hot anyway…

4. I’m the one who’s getting hot! …Taking too much heat from these losers. I need a cool soda to cool me down!

5. What? / Another alien?

6. First I see one beating my team. Then I see one with our women…do I have to see them taking our jobs?

7. What else do I have to see? This stupid sign maybe? / This store employs immigrant workers as part of an equal opportunity policy

8. Not a chance! I’m not buying anything from anti-racist pro-aliens…and I’m not buying that equal opportunity policy crap either!

Page 4

1. Damn it! Why don’t they stay in their own countries? If I had problems in mine- other than the ones they create, of course…

2. I wouldn’t immigrate! I would stay and… / What…?

3. Unghhh… / zzzz… / what the…? / Oh, no. …No way.

4. I’m done. I’ve had enough. I’ve put up with the footballer, the boyfriend, the employees, but not this bump…this weakling´s gonna pay for all the others! /Wha…?

5. Get up right now, you damn immigrant! Get up before I break your stupid face!

6. No! Please! What have I done to you? / Damn it! You’re gonna get out of my way, even if I have to kick you off the pavement!

Page 5

1. You useless alien hobo! Do you want me to kick you back to where you came from? Huh? / Please, no please

2. I beg of you! / Don’t worry, he, he… The river under this bridge will either drown your immigrant ass or just carry you back to yours!

3. Since you enjoy migrating so much …I’m pretty sure you won’t mind migrating once again, even if it is back to your trashy, crappy country, isn’t it? / Police! Hands up! Now!

4. …Officer! …Sir! He’s homeless! He’s illegal! I thought I could… / right now! Come on, put your hands up where I can see them!

5. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say or do may be used against you in a court of law… / I just wish we could also use the fact that you’re a racist, no matter what you might say now to avoid jail.

Page 6

1. Later, after paperwork and paper / there you go mister. We have to let you go now, but we’ll be watching you and your gang too…understood? / Understood? You’re trying to make me understand?

2. I can’t understand white brothers who treat blacks as bros too. Sorry! / …Kin! My kind!

4. C’mon, give me a hug! You’re a hero to us now

5. Must have been hell… police station cells must be full of black and immigrants, right? / and it’s no wonder, because, after all…

6. Our presidents hire them to beat us, businesses employ them over us, women we want prefer them to us, and even cops we look up to oppose us…/ so what are you gonna do to stop being trodden on by these aliens that keep immigrating instead of staying where they freaking belong even if they starve, or get abused, are repressed, executed, bombed, trafficked or whatever-I don’t care?

7. I don’t know, man… / …migrate?

“Untitled”, Sofya Smirnova

ComiX4= — Tue, 02 Jul 2013 10:38:10 +0000

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Summary

Five people of different nationalities, religions and beliefs commit crimes. They become criminals because they are not tolerant of other people. The main idea is that it does not matter who you are on the outside, the main thing is what is on the inside (in the soul). And there we all the same.

Biography

I was born and live in Estonia in the small border town of Narva, but I have Russian citizenship. I am 19 years old and I graduated from Art School. In the future I’m going to get Estonian citizenship.

Page 1

1. And God created the heavens and the earth… / Then God created man in his own image. And he proclaimed equality on Earth and told man to love his neighbour as himself.

Page 2

1. Nowadays… One of the prisoners What do you think, why are you here?

Page 3

1. One of the white people called me a nigger. I was drunk and beat him to death. / I preach the true faith. I burned another church, there were women and children. There were no survivors.

2. They were all drunk. In the bar someone began to argue about Native Americans. In a fight I killed one of them…

3. North, South Korea, you know…I was a member of a terrorist organisation.

4. I threw a homemade bomb at a gay club…

Page 4

1. Do you have any regrets?

2. No

3. No

4. No

Page 5

1. Despite the many differences, in skin colour, religion, beliefs… Inside we are all the same.

“Helver, my first ROMmate”, Elena Vitagliano

ComiX4= — Tue, 02 Jul 2013 09:48:34 +0000

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Summary

Little acts of courage win big battles. A child’s pure heart can be stronger than a preconception. When the teacher asks a Rom child to seat next to him, Marco feels confused. He remembers that his mother told him not to speak with the gypsies because they are dangerous, but when he notices how good Helver is at drawing, he wants to tell him. While Helver is drawing a beautiful horse, Marco remembers that, on another occasion, his mother told him to always be kind to other people, emphasising that this was the most important thing. So little Marco finds himself in a contradictory situation in which he has to use his common sense. And he does it, showing his courage.

Biography

Elena Vitagliano is Italian but she lives and works in London as a Graphic Designer. Her passion for Japan (she has a degree in Orienatal language and culture) means she occasionally writes articles about manga and creates her own stories.

Page 1

1. Children

2. From today Helver is going to study with us

3. I am sure she is going to make him sit next to you Marco / And he is a Rom! / and the Rom are all thieves! / and they kidnap children

4. He doesn’t speak Italian very well yet / so be kind to him

5. Helver, please sit over there, next to Marco.

Page 2

1. Be careful of the gipsies, they are dangerous, if they get close to you, don’t talk to them, do you understand me? / Yes Mom

2. I know it’s not kind to avoid speaking to him.. but I have to obey..

3. Wow, what a nice drawing he is doing! / How does he do that? / I would like to ask him but..

Page 3

1. I can’t / I don’t think he is a thief or that he could kidnap me: he is only a child! /

2. But if I remember.. / the most important thing is to be kind to everyone. / Ok then.

3. Do not talk to gypsies / Be kind to everyone / Do not talk to gypsies / Be kind to everyone / Do not talk to gypsies / Be kind to everyone

4. The most important thing…

Page 4

1. Helver this horse is really beautiful /

2. You are really good

3. Do you want to give it to me?

4. Yes, yes

Page 5

1. Thank you, it’s really beautiful / Write your name over here so it is finished.

2. Why?

3. I can’t write

4. Oh… well

5. I will help you then

6. Look look

Page 6

1. The gypsy’s friend / You’ll see in a little while he will become Rom as well. Ahahaha

2. You are just jealous because you don’t have a drawing like this

3. Helver, can you teach me to draw like you? / Can you teach me to write?

4. Deal! / Helver, my first Rom mate!

“Beautiful”, Elpida Kyriakou

ComiX4= — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 08:46:03 +0000

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Summary

A little girl’s life is at risk as she is trapped in the flames of a burning building. Fortunately, a stranger finds her and saves her. The child’s mother expresses her gratitude to the stranger until she realizes he is an African. She then takes her little girl by the hand and walks away from the stranger, but the little girl breaks free from her mother in order to find the man so that she can thank him in her own special way.

Biography

I was born in Cyprus in 1997 to my Bulgarian mother. I have been drawing comics for fun since I was six years old and I absolutely love it. I have entered numerous competitions and have even won a few. Now I am currently studying art in a private institute and preparing for my art exams for the British Council.

Page 1

1. Help! Mommy!

2. Hello? Where are you?

Page 2

1. My child!

2. Mommy!

3. Mama! / Oh thank you so much!

4. It’s nothing… / Oh no! I owe you so much! You saved my child. I owe you my life!

5. Thank you! / But really, it’s nothing

Page 3

1. C’mon honey, we have to go. / Why?

2. Just follow me! This is not a good man.

3. Wait! Where are you going?!

Page 4

1. The colours are beautiful!

2. You…

3. Thank you… / …so much…

4.Th… / for everything

“I, Izaa”, Khadim Diop

ComiX4= — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 08:46:58 +0000

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Summary

The title of this comic, “I, Izaa” refers to 1.12.44, the date of the “Senegalese tirailleurs” massacre ordered by the French officers in the Thiaroye Camp.
When a child notices some flashes coming from the nearby Holding Camp, he decides to wait all night for his father to return from war. Finally his father returns, but he has gone mad because he cannot tell anybody about the mass killing.
2004. France. Professor M. is worried about something he reads in Izaa’s report about a film by an African filmmaker, so he starts to investigate the racial pressures that his student is facing.

Biography

I was born in Senegal in 1992, and two years later my mother and I joined my father in Italy.
I’m currently studying Tourism Economics at the University of Bologna and I make amateur comics in my spare time

Page 1

1. “December 1944. Thiaroye… French West Africa…”
/ “140000 recruited… 24000 died… War prisoners…Dagnan… Liberation and Dismissal…”
2. “Halved pensions… Riots…”
3. Oh, right here:
4. Père!
5. “As a foreigner I still suffer from that racist oppression. The same nationalist oppression fought alongside the French (1940).” / “The same abused by French officers during the T. Massacre”

Page 2

1. That’s just what you wrote
2. Once again, I want you to tell me the truth.
3. Who is persecuting you? Uhm? / (Crap, I’m gonna be late for my niece’s baptism)
4. Nope
5. That was just about someone very close to me. An old senile man. Who thought my roots were a reason for not hanging around with friends.
6. You mean Mr. Auriol again?!

Page 3

1. I, Izaa / some friends of mine / Mr. Auriol / Hey, you there!
2. That’s not a joke. My dad died for that flag! / Uhm quite weird … ’cause I bought mine for 2 € / Damn kid, I’ll beat…
3. But yeah… my great-grandfather went mad too / after being imprisoned during the Fall of France.
4. May 1940…
5. I’m writing a report for school.

Page 4

1. I’ll have a talk with him…
2. You know, when he was… / It wasn’t Mr. Auriol.
3. I was talking about some kind of reversed racist. Anyway, he changed after my niece was born.
4. Reversed? Niece?!
5. Yeah it’s weird but…

Page 5
1. …My grandpa used to think that all white people were racists.

“The problem”, Thomas Cuschieri

ComiX4= — Tue, 09 Jul 2013 09:15:01 +0000

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Summary

“The Problem” describes an incident that occurred in pub in the UK to two Maltese friends of mine. While they were chatting at the bar the barman suddenly emptied their drinks and told them to leave. Upon realising that they were Maltese he suddenly became apologetic and tried to make amends. The comic then goes on to describe a typical reaction to this story – namely that ‘the problem’ lies with the sound of the language, rather than the prejudice of the listener.

Biography

I am a Maltese mathematician who creates comics. I have spent most of the last 10 years in the UK, and I am currently finishing a Master’s Degree in Sequential Illustration at Brighton University.

Page 1

1. Allow me to tell you a story. It’s called The Problem.

2. A pub, somewhere in the UK

Page 2

1. Are you going to leave or will I have to throw you out?

2. And so …

3. Hope you guys had a nice evening

Page 3

1. NO WE DID NOT! HE TOOK OUR DRINKS AND THREATENED US AND

2. WE WERE JUST CHATTING AT THE BAR AND WE WEREN’T CAUSING A NUISANCE AND/ Where are you from? / What?

3. What nationality are you? Where are you from? / Malta! But wha ..

4. Wait here.

5. MALTA!

6. I love Malta! / Drinks on the house!

Page 4

1. Turns out it was just a language problem. He’d only mistaken them for people he hated!

2. Silly me! Ha ha!

3. Yes. Ha ha!

4. Maltese is a semitic language, but it’s written with the Latin script. / It is the only such language in the world.

5. I like this fact a lot. For me it expresses our potential to bridge cultures.

6. One time, after I’d retold the story of my friends in the pub, some bright spark offered the following insight:

7. The problem is when you speak Maltese quickly it sounds like Arabic.

8. Yes, there is a problem but that’s really not it.