Racism in North America

Racism explained PERFECTLY

We need more of this from white folks.

EDUCATE OUT RACISM pic.twitter.com/dRG7zxUBh4

— StanceGrounded (@_SJPeace_) April 24, 2021

Racism in Canada: White Privilege

It is horrific. I cannot ignore this. We cannot ignore this. I heard someone's comment, "White people have to do something about racism." Whites are either allies or racists. Tolerating racism is racism.

 I grew up in downtown Toronto, with many diverse friends. My white world, with two working parents, was pretty good. I was raised to treat others as I would like to be treated. The kids at school were from various socioeconomic backgrounds, ethnic groups, and religions. This isn't true for all. People in Canada are getting a knee on their neck frequently, The National reports.

Rural people are different, if this is all they know and have no experience with other cultures, values or traditions. It is important to understand White Privilege. We have no idea what racism is about. With all that is going on, we cannot close our eyes. Said one protestor:

"We have to change the way we think, and how we feel about one another."

Our Minister Hussen, MP and lawyer, spoke on camera about the racism he faces. We have many diverse MPs and MPPs. Not all are equal, however.

Many people of colour make complaints about unnecessary, uncalled for traffic stops, for example. Racial profiling. Black men driving their own Mercedes, in their own neighbourhoods, stopped by cops. This is my MPP, who posted this racist comment, since deleted. This is white privilege. Hillier who earns his living (6 digits) on our tax dollars. I cannot close my eyes.

A Twitter buddy reminded me of Hillier's reputation, this from 2009:

"Then there was the Dombrowsky email. As President of the Lanark Landowner's Association (LLA), Hillier emailed a photo of a dead deer with a group of hunters. Under the photo the caption read – Leona. He sent the email to MPP Leona Dombrowsky.  Dombrowsky sat on the email, then released it months later on the eve of an LLA protest in Toronto. Hillier never apologised for sending the email. He only said that it appeared Ms. Dombrowsky did not share his sense of humour."

Some of our Canadian politicians are speaking out. Our PM said this:

"Anti-Black racism exists in Canada and we must do all that we can to end it for good. So as leaders and as allies, we must listen to, learn from, and work with every person who marches and posts and expects more than the status quo."

Jagmeet Singh (leader of the Canadian NDP) said, "When you see someone that looks like you being killed like that it makes you feel like you have no worth and no value. It makes you angry."

RACISM. It exists in Canada. We must hear and bear witness to their stories.

If you aren't part of the solution, you are part of the problem. We need to look for the allies. Many are marching and protesting peacefully. Vancouver, Ottawa, Kingston, Moncton, Halifax, and other Canadian cities. 

Ahmed Ali

@MrAhmednurAli

·

9h

It's a privilege to learn about racism instead of experiencing it your whole life.

I found this online. 

Consider the following graphic, developed by Safehouse Progressive Alliance for Nonviolence (2005) and adapted by Ellen Tuzzolo (2016):

Book Review: The Skin We're In

The Skin We're In: A Year of Black Resistance and Power
by Desmond Cole

"Whiteness pretends to forget its own name when called, and refuses to acknowledge its desire for dominance. White supremacy keeps stepping on your toes while insisting it was an accident"  - The skin we're in, Desmond Cole

Sir John A. Macdonald, the Indian Act, residential schools, racism exists in Canada. Cole illustrates how racism has a long history in this continent. 

White people cannot put their heads in the sand. We owe it to humanity to read and understand their stories and become allies. Recently, the CORVID-19 virus has exacerbated it. Asian-appearing kids are bullied at school, people move away on public transportation. The lockdown has slowed it, but it exists.

This is an excellent book, which looks at what has been going on in Canada. Of course, it exists around the world. The stories of racism abound in the US, as well. The attacking of Asians during COVID–19 has also become more common.

Since I wrote this, Black Lives Matter, and the tragic lynchings continue on this continent. It is shameful.

A Belleville cop has been seen with a Confederate flag. He has been called to task for this. It's gotta change. Peers must speak out. 

CBC reporters, after the Wendy Mesley story, have been speaking out about it, as well.

This is an amazing young man, who is making a difference.
CBC News   

Smiths Falls

On the other hand, in Perth, Friday, June 5th.

There is much work to be done. White supremacy lurks in the dark corners. 

Right-Wing Extremism and Racism, what can I do?

There is a cult of ignorance in the United States, and there always has been. The strain of anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that "my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge." 

-Isaac Asimov, scientist and writer (1920-1992) 

Reports of racist incidents, and vulgar, open indications of intolerance have been on the increase. No more covert racism, which pervades North American society, but public, overt, loudly stated words, calling upon the strength of Trumpistic bombastic words. It's not just teenagers, but adults on social media, and on public transportation, as well.

I wondered what I could do, other than rant. I don't hear this kind of thing amongst my friends, yet I know it exists. I've culled a few ideas, having done some research,  and found that there are many anti-hate groups in both the US and Canada, despite many of us being immigrants.

What Can I Do?

• Listen, validate and honour the feelings of those who suffer racism
• Ask questions
• Celebrate diversity
• Report hate crimes: there are laws against hate crimes all around the world
• Educate yourself about different cultures
• Learn how to pronounce your friend's difficult names
• Clarify issues, read and learn
• Challenge racists around you, if you are comfortable doing so 
• See something, say something
• Correct your mistakes
• Respect people as individuals, not as representatives of a specific group
• Refuse to listen to racist or stereotypical jokes
• Contribute to anti-hate, advocacy groups, e.g., Canada: Stop Racism and Hate Canada or the USA: Southern Poverty Law Center.
• Laud the great stories of those who care about one another.

Share Positive Change-making Stories

Individuals are making a difference. This story has made the news. Basically, a group of immigrants, and visible minorities, helped a young man on the TTC his way to a job interview. Total strangers.
Salma Hamidi

11 November at 17:37 · Toronto · 

This morning while waiting for the subway to leave Finch station, a Latino guy entered the train looking very angry and irritated. Sitting down in front of me, head in hands...

See more

This was posted on Facebook:

 on Kingston Transit:

Tommy Vallier feeling frustrated.

Nov., 2016 at 06:52 · 

A man, on Kingston Transit, witnessing two young, white men harassing a young black teen, simply went and sat beside her on the bus, ensuring their angry, racist words stopped.

Montreal Gazette, Nov. 15/16

Southern Poverty Law Center: 
hate group map

There's red, anti-Semitic graffiti all over the door, side and sign for Machzikei Hadas synagogue. The cleaner just arrived. pic.twitter.com/JubRUGFFSu

— Andrew Foote (@amkfoote) November 17, 2016

Hamilton woman alleges racism in the wake of Trump win https://t.co/7w2gj2F5YB

— Adrian Emmanuel (@bradrian) November 15, 2016

Be careful Canada, your racism is showing :) https://t.co/mxWk44erB4

— Mustafa (@MustafaThePoet) November 9, 2016

'Very disturbing' signs call for white people to mobilize against multiculturalism in Toronto https://t.co/Sq6to9fTvX

— Global BC (@GlobalBC) November 14, 2016

Under this paper, on a door in the Glebe, are a spray-painted swastika and the word KIKE. A rabbi lives here. pic.twitter.com/MP5xxo88NE

— David Reevely (@davidreevely) November 15, 2016

Workers have already removed graffiti from the front door of a Glebe Jewish prayer centre, tagged w/swastika, ethnic slur. #ottnews pic.twitter.com/2uMwI5gEIP

— Jason White (@1310JasonWhite) November 15, 2016

Book Review: Beyond Myself

Anita Katherine Dennis:

Beyond Myself

Anita Katherine Dennis: Beyond Myself

What a saga! This amazing woman, young woman at the time, travels to Africa with her husband in a mixed marriage, in a time when there was much overt racism on this continent. I cannot tell you how, over my lifetime, things have changed for the better. Young people wouldn't understand what 1964 was like, as mixed marriages of all sorts are much more common in North America: mixing race, religion, culture and heritage, as well as same sex marriage. Racism, of course, exists in Canada, but it's much more covert –or it was until our recent election campaign.

My older cousins traveled to Lusaka, Zambia many years ago –perhaps in the 80s, I cannot remember. They went as United Church missionaries. The book provided much insight for me as I had questions I am unable to ask.

"At our last church service in Vahum, I gave away empty cans and glass containers I had saved. Patrick called the children's names, and as they went up to get one, I thought, What kind of farewell gift is that? What genuine sacrifice have I made for these people? Simply living here? What have I really given then? What long-term impact have I made?"

This is the Dennis' 1st book

It's an inspiring story, and she doesn't mince words, but nor does Dennis allow her negative experiences dominate the book. Racism makes my heart heavy. With our health issues we are trying to be positive, and this is how this book makes me feel. Despite civil war, and death and dying, it's a gripping autobiography. The world is changing and has changed and I do have hope.

Beyond Myself: The Farm Girl and the African Chief

When author Anita Katherine Dennis walked into the anthropology class during her sophomore year at Ohio University in 1964, she was sure the class would prove interesting. She had no idea how right she would be. In Beyond Myself, she narrates the love story that developed between her and her anthropology professor, Dr. Ben Dennis, an African tribal chief.

Anita Dennis took videos which was pretty ahead of her time, of her times in Africa. There are many photos in the book, as well.

The ethics of blogging

This falls in the realm of told wrongs...accountability, and listening to creditable sources.

US official may sue rightwing blogger
Shirley Sherrod threatens action against Andrew Breitbart over edited video that led to race row.

In an amazing article from Guardian UK, a blogger BigGovernment.com, posts edited video from an unnamed source, which seems to indicate that Shirley Sherrod, a black woman and US federal head of rural development for the agriculture department in Georgia at the White House, was accused of making racist comments against white farmers. She was fired by the White House, and then the full video was listened to by the Powers-That-Be and they realized their mistake. Her speech had contained a parable that was edited by someone, the blogger claims 'not me', that was misinterpreted. President Obama apologized.


Lessons learned-the takeaway message...

• In this day and age of blogging, we must be accountable. I would sue him...
• Perhaps the White House should be given a course on choosing reliable sources, 
• in checking 3 sources (which is what I always counselled my students when doing research), 
• and the corruption of power of some who make choices.

Video: USDA official resigns amid racism claims 2 days ago www.msnbc.msn.com

At least the White House corrected the mistake. Interesting editorial blogs (by 'real' journalists) who wonder at the people behind this story. This reminds me of the chaos around the distortion of the truth about Canadian medicare, twisted to suit extreme, white wing Americans trying to fight President Obama's universal health care. At the time, many Americans were asking me, through my Ontario Seniors' Health Care blog, for the truth around our system. I had spotted some bloggers who were citing private health information (illegal in Canada) about a particular patient, which was reprinted verbatim in many blogs. I follow Ontario health news particularly! 

Lies and gossip about senior health care

I am always amazed with the information people pass on to one another!

Canadian Health Care System - part I

I was asked to write about our system in Canada, as there is much misinformation in American news about our weird ways. They even videotaped a woman who was distorting her truth about her Canadian health care experiences. What criminal action this is, to bash away at our health care. Where does truth lie? Somewhere in the middle. Read with a critical mind. Reflect and research. All may not be as it seems.

History of Canada - such shame

I read a great post on a Vagabonde's site: 4. Destination: St Pierre et Miquelon

See also: Part 1 Destination: Saint Pierre et Miquelon Part two | Part 3

Valuable information, and incredible photos, about mankind's inhumanity to mankind on this post - in a current framework. The anti-French sentiment in the US is palpable. What a difference in Canada, with its bilingual status.

Our trip to Halifax, NS, helped me understand a bit more of Canada's history. The memorial to dead fishermen. The memorial for those on the Titanic.

Our terrible history in Canada, of treatment of First Nations Peoples, and the internment of Japanese-Canadians after Pearl Harbour, to name just two categories, bars us from any finger pointing, however. Those who died building the railroad across Canada, and the many, many Chinese who faced a head tax.

While some like to hold up the Underground Railroad to make the French and British settlers feel better, in fact very few blacks in the grand scheme of things sought sanctuary through this route.

For an excellent read on this topic, see Book Review: The Hanging of Angélique by Afua Cooper.
The story of the Underground Railroad is a proud moment in Canadian history, but Canada had 200 years of a history of slavery. We've even made a patriotic commercial about it.

For another good read:
Evangeline - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A Tale of Acadie is a poem published in 1847 by the American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. The poem follows an Acadian girl named Evangeline ...

Book Review: Raisin Wine

I was trying to figure out a review for a different book. I have been reading a lot of murder mysteries; you can see from my book review list.

One of my best local reads has Raisin Wine (2007), by our former Lt. Gov., James Bartleman. Written about his home town, Port Carling, it tells a story of poverty, racism and ignorance of Native Culture.

Our phenomenal local man led a life that defies belief, yet one I have read in other stories. Native Peoples living in a land raped and overtaken by white folks usurping their territory. Settlers brought with them disrespect for not only the people, but the land. We still find places where the ancient civilizations were referred to as 'savages', as Champlain did in HIS memoir. I surely hope we know better now.

This book is a raw look at living off the land in a land where it was no longer possible. It tells of substandard housing and victims of poverty - living next door to those who maintained two homes: one in the city and one in cottage country. Beautifully written in the third person, we can see how this marvellous man and humanitarian, has risen above the heartless treatment he received as a youth. He managed to become a heartful human being.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Yesterday's story from McKellar PK. P.S., Lakehead DSB was shocking: a young boy having his hair cut by an educational assistant. Many teachers (thanks to Gr. 6, and 9 curriculum) have learned to appreciate the teachings of the Aboriginal community, including this symbol of strength. It is one recent example of racism. 'Thunder Bay mom wants answers after teacher's aide chops off son's hair'.

The myths of the Underground Railroad seem to give some pride, yet very few slaves escaped using this route. When they arrived in Canada they still faced ignorance. A brilliant story,The Hanging Of Angelique: The Untold Story Of Canadian Slavery tells of the hanging of a black woman. Well-researched, it busts the myths. By Afua Cooper, 2006.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Friday's Forgotten Books-for more book reviews