The Coalition for Safe Schools and Communities is calling for more support to address racism, and hate in Barrie and Simcoe County.
The group says the demand comes in response to the racist attack against Shak Edwards of Shak’s World Community Centre downtown last week.
It says, “We deserve to feel safe in our communities, schools, workplaces and homes.”
A 30 year old woman was arrested in connection with the incident and is facing charges of Assault, Assault with a Weapon, Dangerous Operation of a Motor Vehicle and Failing to Comply with Probation.
The Coalition is calling on Barrie Police to add hate crime charges to the perpetrator’s charges, and in all cases when racism is involved.
It says the attack happened following the thin blue line protest in Bradford on Nov. 23 and urges local public sector organizations to condemn the use of that symbol because it is hurtful to members of the Black community.
In a statement it added, “These are not isolated incidents. They are the bubbling up of the white supremacy across society. ”
Recommended actions for leaders and allies
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Follow the coalition partners on social media: BWG Diversity Action Group, BWG Rise Up, Local Allies, Making Change, Our Mosaic Lives, Parents Against Racism Simcoe County and UPlift Black.
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Ask for or organize comprehensive anti-racism training for your workplace.
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Speak out against hate on your social media and other channels.
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Address racist comments when you hear them at your workplace, school and during social interactions. Speak up against it. Report it and follow up. And continue the work to dismantle racism. It starts with your own learning.
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If you’re able, financially support organizations working to create an equitable society locally and beyond, including making a donation to Shak’s World.
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Support Black, Indigenous and people of colour owned businesses.
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For media: Help the public understand the connection between racist events. Consider reviewing A Field Guide to White Supremacy.
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Design your own learning/unlearning journey. Here are some resources to consider:
Books
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21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act by Bob Joseph
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An Army of Problem Solvers (Reconciliation and the Solution Economy) by Shaun Luney
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Blindspot by Mahzarin R. Banaji and Anthony G. Greenwald
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Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
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Caste The Origins of Our Discontent by Isabel Wilkerson
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Dances with Dependency by Calvin Helin
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Deep Diversity by Shakil Choudry
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From Where I Stand: Rebuilding Indigenous Nations for a Stronger Canada by Jody Wilson-Raybould
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Indigenomics: Taking a Seat at the Economic Table by Carol Anne Hilton
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Indigenous Writes: A Guide to First Nations, Metis, and Inuit Issues in Canada by Chelsea Vowel
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Me and White Supremacy by Layla F. Saad
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Our Story: Aboriginal Voices on Canada’s Past (Collection)
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Resource Rulers by Bill Gallagher
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Seven Fallen Feathers by Tanya Talaga
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The Inconvenient Indian by Thomas King
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The Skin We’re In by Desmond Cole
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Unsettling Canada: A National Wake-Up Call by Arthur Manual and Grand Chief Ronald M. Derrickson
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White Fragility by Robin Diangelo
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Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race by Renni Eddo-Lodge
Other resources
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Poet Kyla Lacey on “White Privilege”
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How to Be an Antiracist – Ibram X. Kendi on Unlocking Us Podcast with Brene Brown
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Renni Eddo-Lodge’s talk “Why I am no longer talking to white people about race”
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Indigenous Canada – Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) from the Faculty of Native Studies at the University of Alberta that explores Indigenous histories and contemporary issues in Canada
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Raising anti-racist children – article by the American Psychological Association
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Suncor Energy’s Aboriginal Awareness Web-Based Training
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Final report of the Truth and Reconciliation
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National Council of Canadian Muslims’ (NCCM) 60 policy recommendations