By Audrey Willett:
POVs of POCs is all about having POC voices, stories, and experiences heard. Please enjoy our interview with director and editor Mmathabo Mahlangu below.
AW: Tell us all about you and your organization!
MM: My name is Mmathabo Mahlangu. I am a sixteen-year-old who works for the Elements Edit organization as the POVs of POCs column director and Editor Chief. I have been working for the organization for about a year now. The POVs of POCs column is an extension of the organization and is run by a team of publicists, writers, visual artists, and a director. My team and I put in lots of effort to ensure that we accomplish our mission and educate people of all races about the racial issues facing society today. In turn, we hope to create an inclusive, equal, and unified society. We are doing this by getting POC members to share the experiences they've had with racism, discrimination, colourism, prejudice, etc. We want the world to be aware of these issues so that we can all work together from all four corners of the globe to form solutions to these problems.
AW: Why do you think it’s important for your generation to let their voices be heard?
MM: I believe that a majority of Gen Z are not as vocal about the racial issues we have in society today, and as a Gen Z member, I would like to encourage them to have the courage to voice their opinion on racism and inequality. I do agree that the topics surrounding racial issues are deep but crucial. If we as Gen Z are not willing to speak out on the injustices happening around us, we as a society will not move forward, and we will still be stuck with these issues in the future.
AW: Are you optimistic or pessimistic about the future?
MM: I am very optimistic about the future. There are so many events I am looking forward to in the future, like having my column become successful and achieving racial equality and world peace.
AW: What are the most important issues facing our world right now? And in the future?
MM: Systematic racism, unequal rights, and discrimination against one's skin color, ethnic group, gender, and background.
AW: What does your organization offer that helps the world be a better place?
MM: A platform for POC members to voice their opinions about their experiences in life, educating people on the issues faced by POC communities and possible solutions for them.
AW: Please tell us all about your current campaigns, projects, and endeavors. Tell everyone where to find you online and on social platforms.
MM: At the moment, we are working on our first project, which will be held on the August 9, 2021. We will be hosting a webinar session on women empowerment as a way to celebrate women's month in South Africa.
We will have some amazing guest speakers talk on various topics such as the importance of empowering yourself, getting through an abusive relationship, the importance of motherhood, and young girl empowerment.
All the information on our webinar is provided in the link on our Instagram bio @povsofpocs.
You can also contact us at povsofpocs@gmail.com for more information and how to join.
Audrey Willett is a southern California sophomore in high school. She is an activist and aspiring filmmaker, and the Social Media Outreach coordinator for The Gen Z Collective.