After first meeting only 15 minutes prior, our wide reaching introductory discussion about politics, media, and life in Brampton, had naturally segued into the topic of demographics. To my delight, Nicholas Grewal, 25, was enlightening the conversation with one of many succinct points. "Their numbers exceed those of their parents generation, and many are eligible to vote for their first time." He was right on the money. The generation born between 1994-1996 is a rising force in the democratic social scene of Canada. The ability to connect and engage with that these young adults would surely pay great dividends to whoever could capture their attention. "Rule number one of media: you gotta know your audience." Even though we hadn't known each other prior to this event, it was clear that Mr. Grewal was a guy who "got it".
Mr. Grewal's insider analysis and understanding of demographics was obviously valuable knowledge for a media arts student like himself, or for a fledgling publishing empire like us at #BramptonRises. However it gets even more real when one realizes Mr. Grewal's father, Gurjit S. Grewal, is one of the candidates running for Mayor of Canada's 9th largest city. A city where shifting demographics vividly paint a picture of an evolving country, and a desire for a change of leadership is manifesting itself.
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| left: Brampton Mayoral Candidate Gurjit S. Grewal. Also pictured: a local, disadvantaged urban youth |
Through my deep rooted, and various "Brampton connections", I was able to procure an invite to mayoral candidate Gurjit Grewal's campaign dinner. Traditionally, one would assume this was "not your scene". A mostly Punjabi language dinner for supporters and volunteers of a so called "long shot" candidate for the mayor of Brampton? Not to mention, a crowd that mostly consisted of parents, older brothers and relatives of my peers.
A) Wouldn't it be awkward?
B) Couldn't they get someone better?
