Noor

“My biggest hope is to inspire younger and older generations to find it within themselves to speak their truths, to speak up for what they believe in, and never let anyone tell them otherwise. Our voices are more powerful than we know. Use it to what we can to make better change in this world.”

Noor is a 19-year-old poet, Vancouver-based activist and public speaker, and a student. She told me she is “really proud of the poetry I write and the art I draw with it. It’s an outlet to help me be more open and honest with myself in a form that is personal yet beautiful in a way where I can help others relate to my work.” Noor was recently a victim of a traumatic skytrain attack where she was physically, verbally, and sexually abused. She has used poetry as a form of therapy to deal with her emotions following the event. She told me, “there’s a lot of emotional labour behind the headlines and news articles [about the skytrain incident] that I prefer to keep to myself. It’s just a process and journey I’m learning to take things day by day knowing I’ll come out of it stronger than ever.” When Noor needs an escape from life she comes to downtown Vancouver, plugs her headphones in, and remembers to breathe. When I asked Noor how she feels she’s perceived she told me, “I think sometimes people can perceive me as someone I’m not.” She continued to say, "I always follow the life quote of treating others the way you want to be treated. I find myself to be approachable in a way where I’ll help you get to know me for me, and not what the media labels me as.”

Q&A Feature:

What's your own favourite quality?

"I love my smile. I love how my cheeks get super big when I smile it always makes others smile as well. I also really love my voice. It’s powerful and when I’m sick I sound like a horse and horses are just beautiful."

What's one thing you know for sure?

"Pineapple on pizza is actually pretty good."