The recent events in the United States have set alight a fire in the bellies of many across the world regarding racism, and in particular, anti-Black racism. There is no question that racism is a blight on humanity and an indictment on its perpetrators, enablers, encouragers, cheerleaders, and bystanders. The last few weeks have been particularly painful, rehashing and stirring feelings of anger, bitterness, and even hatred, not exclusive to Black people, towards these groups of people who serve to perpetuate racism, irrespective of race.
Racism is not a new phenomenon but it desperately needs to be made a past culture, particularly for White people, and very quickly. We can see racism everywhere in society in the way non-White persons are treated, excluded, limited, profiled. Canadian society, including Grey and Bruce, is not immune to its awful practice. We see it in the ways Black people are responded to by society at large and the systemic barriers that confront them. We see it in the ways Indigenous people are treated and how they are spoken about in demeaning terms by White people.
There is an urgent need for leaders: federal, provincial, and municipal government, business, academia, media, and faith communities to make a commitment to once and for all, take concrete and lasting steps to end racism everywhere that it exists. It is time for White people collectively to cease being silent when they witness acts of racism. Together they all need to restore the dignities of those who have had their dignity robbed by the vile culture of racism. It is past time to purposefully do everything possible and humane to advance and promote the well-being and welfare of all disenfranchised peoples everywhere, while dismantling the systems and structures that feed and promote the dehumanization of any person.
As Dr. Enrique Neblett, of the University of Michigan, stated so well, “Statements, quotations, and hashtags regarding anti-black racism and the execution of black men and women… are important messaging, but cannot, and should not, be the endgame. Eradicating anti-black racism will require the execution of concrete, specific, and measurable actions that lead to lasting systemic and structural change. Expressions of grief, horror, and solidarity, listening sessions, and talking about the problem, resource lists, and even calls to action, are not action. Future generations will judge us neither by the books we read, nor the number of focus groups, town halls, or webinars we held, but by our collective, (sustained, and non-violent) efforts and actions to dismantle existing structures (and systems and policies of black oppression, repression, and suppression) in service of promoting… equality for black people…”
For more information about the work of Welcoming Communities contact us through our website: welcominggreybruce.ca
source: media release, Welcoming Communities Grey Bruce
