Welcoming Communities Grey Bruce is calling on leaders at all levels to take concrete and lasting steps to end racism.
In a letter, spokesperson David Morris said it is time for white people collectively to cease being silent when they witness acts of racism.
He says racism can be seen everywhere in society in the way non-white persons are treated, excluded, limited, or profiled. And he says Canadian society, including Grey and Bruce, is not immune to its awful practice.
People can go to welcominggreybruce.ca to find more information on how to dismantle the systems and structures that promote the dehumanization of any person.
Morris explained," 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."
Morris said 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.
The letter goes on to quote Dr. Enrique Neblett, of the University of Michigan, “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…”
