with Wali Shah

By age 15, Wali Shah had experienced more than most teens should — he was running with a rough crowd, had lost a friend to violence, and faced assault charges as well as jail time. He would have continued down that path, if it weren’t for two Cawthra Park Secondary School teachers in Mississauga, Ont. “They gave me clarity,” says Shah. “I now realize the importance of having a mentor — someone you can talk to.” With their encouragement and his determination, Shah turned his focus back to school. He used poetry and hip hop as creative outlets for positive change, helping youth deal with everything from mental health and resiliency to identity and heritage. His work as a motivational speaker (TEDx, WE Day, MTV Canada, Bell Let’s Talk campaign) and spoken-word poet gained him a spot on the 2014 Youth in Motion’s (now Plan Canada’s) Top 20 Under 20 list of young Canadian leaders who generate innovation in their community. In 2015, Shah’s “Change the World” music video (produced by the Peel District School Board), was part of Bullying Prevention and Intervention Week. At 22, he’s now in his fourth year at the University of Toronto and considering a career in teaching.

Tell us why anti-bullying initiatives are essential.

In my opinion, bullying is an act of insecurity more than an act of dominance; it is often those who feel neglected and insecure who project their insecurities on others via bullying. Schools can support students by encouraging them to share their identities and stories through writing, games, extracurricular involvement and guest speakers.

What role can teachers play?

I was dealing with identity issues in school. It was the teacher who smiled at me in the hallway, or stopped to have a chat, who gave me the confidence to embrace my identity. They made me feel comforted and safe. That is what a positive school climate is about. It is the small, day-to-day things that we overlook that often make the biggest difference.

Why does music work well as a communication vehicle?

It offers students an exciting and relevant way to process information. It speaks to their generation and their interests — it reels them in. I urge students and professionals to use the arts as a coping strategy and outlet. It is a way for us to share our narratives and experiences.

What are your future plans?

I’ll continue to visit schools — facilitating workshops for both teachers and students. I’ve recently led sessions on deconstructing masculinity with at-risk boys in Grades 7 to 12, during which we used written narrative as a form of expression. It gives them the tools they’ll need to express themselves throughout their lives. I want them to turn to poetry instead of alcohol and substance abuse.