From the streets to social reflection: the interesting journey of an alternative publication

Youth culture in magazines

In the 1990s in Montreal, a series of initiatives emerged from the community to work in publishing and popular culture. These included Journal de la Rue, Reflet de société, Café Graffiti and Éditions TNT, all with electronic versions on the same website. Their common goal is to recognize young people as people in their own right, which also means welcoming them into their culture, with their problems, feelings, aspirations and talents.

It all began with Le Journal de la Rue in 1992. At first, the publication's mission was to provide information on subjects obscured by the traditional media: prostitution, drug addiction, violence and so on. Among other things, it publishes testimonials and useful resources for beneficiaries, workers and the general public. Le Journal de la Rue soon broadened its activities, making itself available to young people 7 days a week, 24 hours a day, with the help of two street workers. In addition to publishing, the community organization now offers an intervention service.

In 1994, Éditions TNT became part of Journal de la Rue. Initially set up to publish the books of the company's director, Raymond Viger, it then went on to publish the works of young creators, allowing them to express themselves freely. The catalog includes hip-hop music CDs, graffiti on canvas, videos and merchandising.

In 1997, the adventure continued with Café Graffiti, a free space in Montreal's Hochelaga-Maisonneuve district where graffiti artists, breakers and rappers could meet. Café Graffiti acts as an artist's manager, allowing the creators to get paid for a while. Some of those who have passed through the Café have gone back to school, while others have set up small businesses or become professional artists.

Success beyond the city of Montreal

In 2000, demand from local organizations and individuals for Le Journal de la Rue was so great that a magazine was created, which was renamed Reflet de société in 2004 to better distribute it throughout Quebec. With an initial print run of 5,000 copies in black and white and 24 pages, the publication is now a reference for schools, the community and other places where social issues are taken into consideration.

From Journal de la Rue to Reflet de société magazine, it's worth exploring the organization's journey. The Journal de la Rue has evolved from a collection of informative and awareness-raising texts into the huge entity that Montreal's marginalized youth and other "alters" know today through Café Graffiti and Éditions TNT. As for Reflet de société, in 2007 it counted 491,000 Quebec readers. A veritable "laboratory for the study of social work, criminology and art history", the publication is consulted by universities around the world.