Stop demanding more proof of racism and let’s find solutions

OPINION

Stop demanding more proof of racism and let’s find solutions

“Stop being shocked, surprised, or angry about the latest report on racism. We know what the issues are. Let’s fix them.”
By Shellene Drakes-TullContributor

Stop demanding more proof of racism and let’s find solutions

Every few weeks, a new survey, report or article comes out and states what we’ve known for years: racism exists in Canada.

I scratch my head when there’s either complete and utter disbelief, or outright anger, that there is more proof that racism and anti-Blackness play a large part in our communities, workplaces and institutions.

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It feels like we are out here trying to convince folks that Black people aren’t overreacting or making up issues to complain about, although these reports are highlighting legitimate concerns.

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As the studies and reports pile up and support claims of systemic anti-Black racism, we end up with more discussions, some promises, and then, a few months later, we do it all over again.

Earlier this month, the results of the first Black Canadian National Survey by York University’s Institute for Social Research were published.

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They were interesting: 75 per cent of Black Canadians believe racism is a problem in the workplace.

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More than half (56 per cent) of white Canadians believe that racism in the workplace is a minor problem, or not a problem at all.

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But why would anyone question racism at work?

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There have been numerous studies and reports that have said the same thing.

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Here’s a recent one: A KPMG survey, from February 2023, showed:

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“Despite organizations making significant progress on being more inclusive for Black employees, racism in the workplace is still prevalent, with 7-in-10 (72 per cent) Black Canadians experiencing some form of racism or microaggression at work.”

‘The proof is out there’

Need more proof? In summer 2020, during the midst of the racial reckoning after George Floyd’s murder by Minneapolis police officers, so many people were “listening and learning” about the Black experience.

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Companies were throwing up black squares and writing strongly worded messages of support and it felt like maybe change was coming because there was a desire to understand how anti-Blackness and racism was creating barriers.

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During that time, the BlackNorth Initiative was born. The CEOs of more than 300 Canadian corporations signed a pledge to combat anti-Black racism in corporate Canada.

Stop demanding more proof of racism and let’s find solutions

By year two, it was reported that the majority of the signatories “failed to make substantial progress.

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” We’re coming up on year three, maybe we’ll get a new report. It’s not just work-related.

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In June 2022, a Toronto Star headline, about a Toronto Police Service report, read: ‘There is systemic discrimination in our policing’: New Toronto police data confirms officers use more force against Black people.

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Another report in 2022 about anti-Blackness and its effects in health care, Canadian medical journal acknowledges its role in perpetuating anti-Black racism in health care.

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Again, in 2021, TDSB human rights report says anti-Black racism involved in “overwhelming” majority of hate incidents.

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This news is not new, folks. Listen, I’m not vexed that people are speaking out about racism and how it’s affecting Black communities in Canada.

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I’m not upset with those who are trying to make a difference by amplifying the disparities and showing that injustices exist.

Publishing reports and surveys, using race-based data, highlight systemic anti-Blackness and can lead to sustainable solutions, such as the TDSB’s Centre for Excellence for Black Student Achievement, TAIBU Community Health Centre and the many grassroots organisations that support Black communities.

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African American author Toni Morrison said, “The function, the very serious function of racism is distraction. It keeps you from doing your work. It keeps you explaining, over and over again, your reason for being. Somebody says you have no language, and you spend 20 years proving that you do. Somebody says your head isn’t shaped properly so you have scientists working on the fact that it is. Somebody says you have no art, so you dredge that up. Somebody says you have no kingdoms, so you dredge that up. None of this is necessary. There will always be one more thing.”

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Source

“Stop being shocked, surprised, or angry.
Stop demanding more proof.
We know what the issues are.
Let’s fix them.”
By Shellene Drakes-TullContributor

ART & CULTURE

Errol Hill: Setting the Stage for Caribbean Legacy

Arts & 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 Errol Hill: The Pioneer of West Indian Theatre Born on August 5,…