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February is known as 'Black History Month' and this has some historical perspective based on what people of African descent have and still continue to endure.
The events occuring during the 2001 black history month are engaging and I will reflect upon some of them.
In early February, I went to Harbourfront Centre African Heritage Month Events, known as Kuumba which included a book fair, and a two-day display and presentation from the Black Inventions Museum from Los Angeles, which was hosted by Toronto-based Visions of Science. This event provided immense examples of the innovations, research and inventions that were pioneered by people of African descent. When I saw the faces behind the inventions of necessities that we cannot do without, I wondered aloud, why is it that the textbooks notably omit the contributions that the best minds in science and technology who happen to be people of african descent made possible? Many explanations can suffice for the notable exclusion. However, the museum is a positive reminder that we can find ways to make our contributions visible.
To improve the image and visibility of blacks and their contributions, I created a website entitled Canadian Black Heritage in the Third Millennium which presents information on the history, historical places, education, literature, art, poetry and other sources of information on Canadians of African descent. This website's target audience include students and educators who are researching or integrating the contributions of diverse Canadians into their learning ventures. This effort caused a variety of reactions which ranged from wow, suggestions of other resources which are now included on the website, to surprise from others. The website is being used by students across North America and will hopefully foster a better understanding that every culture has positively contributed to the society in which we live.
Within the schools, there are also a variety of activities taking place to acknowledge the contributions of Canadians of African descent. These include novel studies, plays, dramatizations, concerts, announcements and displays. One educator who looked at a listing of authors, storytellers and other presenters of African descent who are booked to visit the schools in February wondered why the schools could not book these excellent performers all year round?. I supported the educator's perspective and emphasized that, the contributions of all Canadians should be integrated in the teaching and learning process. When this fully becomes the reality, February [for example] would not be the only month where it seems alright to talk about blacks and their legacy of achievement.
On February 9, I attentively listened as Toronto's first black-owned radio station, Flow 93.5 FM hit the airwaves. It is refreshing to know that I can now listen to music, news, spoken word and other programming by people I know, see, or went to school with.
The February 15th Toronto Raptors game with Miami Heats at the Air Canada Centre featured an informative and inspiring Black History Display from the Alvin McCurdy Collection of the Archives of Ontario, an information table staffed by the Ontario Black History Society and a presentation of the American and Canadian anthems by African Canadian performers including Faith Nolan. The singing of the anthems was an event that will be etched in my memory. It was a rousing rendition that had people singing, cheering, in tears and other states of appreciation.
Then I watched a movie on televsion entitled Summers End which looked at racism and resistance through the caring relationship that was established between a fatherless white boy and a middle-aged black doctor in a segregated white settler area in America. This relationship was ruptured when the black male was pushed out of the area by violence on the part of racists whose actions terrorised and threatened the physical safety of the black doctor and his family. As I watched the movie, and the boy's struggle with the ills of racism, I couldn't help but wonder about the many other children whose worlds are complicated by societal limitations manifested in subtle everyday racism.
Speaking about racism, the Toronto Star reported that in the Greater Toronto area and across Ontario black males are being subjected to racial profiling. Toronto Star reporter Morgan Campbell rights were violated as he waited at a bus stop. He was called names, interrogated and subjected to false arrest by Peel police who insidiously assumed that this young black sports reporter was a drug dealer. This reminds me of the Drummond incident a few years ago which saw prominent CityPulse Videographer Dwight Drummond violently taken down by Toronto police who alleged that they mistook the chicken sitting in Dwight's lap as a gun.
In February, the Toronto Star published two stories that revealed residential and student housing discrimination in Toronto. The reports showed a school and apartment complex that are warehousing blacks and racial minorities into slum like buildings that resemble shantytowns. The disparities that are becoming more pronounced along color lines in this city is outrageous and proves that this city is becoming increasingly polarized and segregated on the basis of race and class.
Canadian Universities continue to be cold and unwelcoming places for students of African descent. It is very very disturbing to hear that at Osgoode Hall Law School, black students are having their space of learning vandalized and are being sent hate mail. This act of violence is intolerable and worthy of strong condemnation and criminal charges against the perpetrators. This act of hate and terrorism against black law students at York is only the tip of the iceberg as schools across the country fail to fulfil their statutory obligations to promote environments free from discrimination. Universities including the University of Saskatchewan, Laurentian, University of Alberta, Carleton University and OISE have also been spaces where students of colour and minorities have complained about discrimination or differential treatment. A very sad situation indeed.
2001 started out as dubious as 2000. I am not into the habit of making resolutions because I somehow lose track after the first week in January. However, there's work to do and things to accomplish. As 2001 approached, I began to reflect on the year that passed by. The more I placed the year into perspective, the more I came to the clear conclusion that whatever successes I achieved in 2000 came amidst very negative experiences and encounters of anti-black racism and exclusion in Toronto, the city of my residence.
This reflection on the events of 2000 caused me to feel unwell for the first day of the New Year. However, despite that ordeal, I am better now.
But then again, why would the events of 2000, be so bad? It depends on the context in which the situations that occured are interpreted.
You probably know where I am coming from, so I will not recount every situation or encounter that make me say 'the more things change, the more they remain the same'. What I will say is that 2000 started and ended with a battle to retain whatever dignity and self respect I have as a young black male living in a hostile and racist socio-political climate.
This is the cost living with everyday racism in a society that ironically boast about its diversity. Speaking about diversity, I guess there are some diversities that society feel it is ok to negate. Maybe we do not have enough political, financial or lobbying clout, so our dignity, self respect and worth is ascribed lesser value.
The third millennium has not yet created a paradigm shift in how humans relate to each other across cultures or beliefs. Our dealings with each other must be respectful. Respect and dignity for all is a fundamental right, even when the views embraced by someone else is not embraced by you. Disagree with the issues, but treat the person with dignity and respect.
The transition from first and second millennium thinking to third millennium thinking on issues of inclusion, equity and social justice must soar and take flight. This is necessary for any nation and its people to work across differences for the common good.
During my journeys as educator, human rights activist and lifelong learner, I take responsibility for demonstrating capability to be an agent of positive change. I write personal narratives because the way I deal with these experiences motivate me to be courageous in the face of adversity. Racism follows us everywhere will continue to be an ongoing collection of narratives by myself, a Canadian of African descent who live in an environment that has demonstrated failure to interrupt everyday racism as a part of the daily life experience of some of its citizens. Educational, economic and social attainment fails to mask the inequality and demoralization which everyday racism inflicts on its victims.
Consider this; 2001 have only just begun with firm and substantial litigation in the area of employment discrimination, as seven racial minority employees at Microsoft Corporation filed a class-action lawsuit which will hold the company accountable for policies, procedures and practices that they believe limited possibilities for people of African descent at this leading multimedia and software company.
In 2001, I will take responsibility for making my world a better place than it is at the current time. I will continue working to remove barriers that restrict the life chances of people because of race, color, class etc. This is a big job to accomplish, but the task is engaged - we must fulfil it together as a team.
There were a few events over the last week that allowed me to engage in reflection on the notion of a just society.
The first event occured on Yonge St. at Gerrard in Toronto on September 24, 2000. I was walking several feet behind a couple of African Canadian descent. They were proceeding north on Yonge St. As the couple passed, a member of the police services in Toronto stopped the black male, but said nothing to the black female who was in his company. The events that unfolded was a lesson in the violation of human rights.
The police did not identify himself, did not read the guy his rights and engaged in a series of conduct that were violating. The African Canadian youth with his arms extended in a surrender position and his feet extended at a 90 degree angle was searched from head to toe by the police. His shirt, pockets, pants, shoes; everything and everywhere was searched in public on Yonge St. The police officer's laid his hands everywhere he can get them on the guy's body. And guess what. The officer came up empty handed. His search was futile. Then, the officer's released the guy. No comments made and no report taken. I documented the badge numbers of the officers, the identifying number of the police cruiser, its licence plate and the time and location of this incident.
Very often I hear complaints or have personally experienced abuse of my human rights as a Canadian Citizen. Yet there are legislation and other policy initiatives that are designed to prevent these sorts of abuse. The question to consider is; Are the spirit of these initiatives, policies and legislations permeating the ears, hearts and minds of people who are supposed to be a living embodiment of them? My answer is one word. No. The answer is no because for too many hope and opportunity in this country has become a fragile proposition or for others an illusion. The manner in which the police degraded the youth of African Candian descent on young street is a telling indication of the non-applicability of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Human Rights Acts/Codes, and other applicable policies and legislations that matter when it boils down to how young black males [and females] are treated in this society. The actual physical, emotional and pyschological assaults that are inflicted upon members of our community on a daily basis puts to the test Canada's reputation as a leader in respecting the human rights of all its citizens.
The Federal Department of Canadian Heritage is currently engaged in cross country consultations with Canadians in preparation for Canada's participation in the United Nations World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance.
The consultations are already mired in controvery as allegations begin to surface that the Secretary of State for Multiculturalism did not address concerns and complaints that were voiced to her directly by delegates at the Toronto consultation about the liberal use of the word N****r at the Toronto consultation at which she was present.
The officials who are doing the consulting [whatever that means] actually need to hear the truth of some of the terrifying experiences that are the daily realities of many people of colour who make Canada their home. In some cases many people immigrated here in search of a haven from oppression only to find that they have ['jumped out of the frying pan and into the fire'] met a similar or worse fate on these shores. In the editorial pages of one of the nation's pre-eminent newspapers The Toronto Star, one of its senior editors (rtd) even went as far as urging immigrants to boycott Canada.
So this is one of a few events that gave me cause to reflect on the notion of the just society in Canada.
The second event that gave me cause to reflect is the death of one of Canada's Prime Ministers [1968-1979, 1980-1984], the Rt. Hon. Pierre Elliot Trudeau, at age 80, on September 28, 2000. Many of the tributes, documentaries and reviews portrayed him as a leader whose ultimate goal for Canada was the 'just society'. I salute him and I say, let every Canadian make it their resolve to make his vision of the 'just society' become the actual experience through the equitable and just application of everyday policies and practices in homes, schools, institutions and society as a whole.
Once this can be achieved, then the idea and the ideal of a 'just society' would be realized.
The United Nations has for the 7th time classified Canada as the best place to live, with a twist. Canada is seen as the best place to live --- for men only. What does this mean. It effectively excludes fifty percent of the population who are women. What about Canada's racial minorities and Aboriginal peoples and where do they fit into this UN back patting exercise?
I urge you to hold your praise. Here's why?
A recent report states that in Canada, poverty is based on race to a disturbing level. The implications are that Canadians who are racial minorities are poorer than their non-racial minority counterparts and not enjoying a comparable quality of life.
At a forum on 'Brain Drain, Brain Gain,' I told the participants that while it is a fact that for every one Canadian who leaves for the U.S., four immigrants migrate to Canada; the migrant to the U.S. is able to fast track a career at a faster, more successful rate than the four immigrants coming here. Canadian experience is one barrier among many which the four immigrants coming here face. Thus the 1:4 ratio on brain drain does not tell the whole story. It does not disclose the sorry fact that a Canadian of African descent can be born here or immigrate here at a very early age, receive their education here, have all their work experience here, only to be constantly be bombarded with the question "where are you from?" This rude and intrusive line of questioning is an encounter that is also endured by many Canadians of racial minority backgrounds.
As well, many young black males [14-35 years old] are unwarrantedly criminalized. They are unwarrantedly criminalized in schools both as students and educators, they are denied opportunity in the workplace, they are stereotyped, stigmatized and isolated. A recent article in the Toronto Star states that racial minority students experience racism in schools from teachers and staff who are supposed to be helping them to discover their talents and achieve their full potential. An article in the Share Newspaper dated July 6, 2000, written by a parent, educator and anti-racism and ethnocultural equity consultant in the Toronto District School Board laments that we are in a state of 'war for our kids'. The article relates how black students become casualties of an educational system where they are unserved and underserved. However, the article did not go far enough. It failed to note that black and racial minority teachers and administrators are also being pushed out of the teaching profession at a disproportionately high rate.
My own experience as an educator in Canada and the U.S. as well as the experiences of countless other black teachers and administrators who I interact with on a frequent basis, confirm that black teachers and administrators are not given the same level of support, mentoring and opportunity that is accorded to non-racial minority teachers and administrators. They are left to 'paddle their own canoe,' 'swim or sink.' An investigative report pubished by BBC states that teachers from the ethnic minorities will face racism in the classroom and the staffroom. Another report from the same media outlet points out that racism in schools is being left unaddressed because teachers are not reporting incidents of racism. As an educator, I have taken a great risk in my career and filed a human rights complaint regarding my work environment as a teacher. The recommendations which emerged following the investigation supported my position. However, there are far too many teachers who are not taking action against racism in the school environment. This inaction comes at the detriment to the quality of education students receive and at the detriment of the teacher's job satisfaction.
Without a good education, students of African descent cannot compete for the best programs in high school and university, they cannot compete for the best jobs, they cannot have a good quality of life, they cannot have 'the Canadian dream', they cannot feel a sense of success, and they cannot feel empowered within a society that have done themlasting injustice.
The United Nations rankings does not take any of these factors into account.
It does not take into account that a black person is asked to show 'ID' more frequently than a non-racial minority person of similarly situated position. It does not take into account, that to get a taxi in the city of Toronto a black male has to hold his money in a visible position so the taxi can see that he is able to pay his fare --- before the taxi decides to take him to his destination. It doesn't take into account that all the policies and initiatives that give Canada a great image around the world are selectively applied and enforced. In most cases it is blacks who benefit the least, and bear the most burden of the selective application amounting to negative differential treatment.
There is no place on earth that is perfect, but it is hypocritical of us to bury our heads in the sand and pretend that all is well. All is not well and since we do not have the voting numbers to influence policy and positive change, our voices are for the most part unheard by the powers that be.
Now that I have finished my 'I am Canadian Rant,' its over to you.
Recently I have attended several events in the black community where the contributions and successes of some of our people, especially black youth were recognized and rewarded by organizations within the black community.
It is important that our community continue to recognize the achievements of our youth because the mainstream society will not do it. In my own trials and tribulations, I am able to stand tall on the shoulders of those who came before me. I am able to hold my head up high because I know that the struggle is not over, but the struggle is in good hands; the best and the brightest within our community are taking the struggle further. This factor came to the forefront of my mind as I attended and listened to an address by Edward Said, to graduates from the University of Toronto post-graduate program. He mentioned that it is of value to be controversial, although controverial people face daily risks for courage to question the status quo and their courage to question distortions, falsehoods and other misrepresentations that are presented daily as fact. Edward Said also cautioned that we live in a great age of information, but not one of critical thinking.
This is important because the media rarely presents itself at awards ceremonies and ceremonies recognizing black Canadians who are making a difference. But the media makes front page news of crime, and any signs of dysfunction which involves the young black male or blacks in particular. Rarely does the media take on investigative reports of racism and other forms of discrimination in Canadian schools and other institutional settings. A recent study reported in the Toronto Star attested to the negative learning environment that many of our students encounter in their quest for a good education. Letters to Share newspaper from concerned parents echoed similar concerns as well.
At the Association of Black Law Enforcement [ABLE] awards function held on June 3, 2000, four African Canadian youths were presented with awards for academic and community success. Most of the youth were high in their praise about the roles that parents and some teachers played in helping them to find their gifts and achieve success.
On April 15, 2000, I attended the Harry Jerome Awards and was inspired by the successes and achievements of the awardees. It was interesting to listen to the the awardees recount how they were able to reach for their goals despite the obstacles placed within their paths. One of the youth awardees in the leadership category, Hassan Abukar, attended the same high school which I attended. During our conversation, I told him that a little over ten years ago, my guidance counsellor had nominated me for the Harry Jerome Awards. While I was not chosen as a recipient, I was pleased that ten years later a person from my alma mater was a recipient of this award.
I also attended the African Canadian Achievement Awards, which recognized a variety of outstanding Canadians of African ancestry. I am choosing to focus on this area because in the 21st century, we should renew our commitment to "lift as we climb." We must be our brothers and sisters keepers. All members of the black community should be able to expect support from the community. We must be able to lean on each other. This is already the case, as can be seen through the myriad of organizations that were established for this purpose.
However, there is more work to do. There are still many in our community who can be involved in community service that addresses and responds positively to the needs of our community. Saturday, tutoring, mentorships, career days, job shadowing and other areas of support can and do make a positive difference in the aspirations and achievements of members within the black community. As a community, we cannot assume that our educated, professional members do not need support and encouragement. many of these educated professionals face barriers in this society which include everyday racism, stereotyping, stigmatization, and other challenges which are left unspoken and undocumented. The few of us who manage to resist such vexatious conducts, do so at great risk. Ask myself or anyone who have gone through the trouble to file a human rights complaints, how lonely and alienating an experience it is. Yet, I find strength from those who have been through this experience and retained their dignity, beliefs and sense of self. I am secure in the knowledge that my struggles will preserve and/or advance the sacrifies which my forfathers struggled for and in some cases died for. Human Rights, equity and social justice are among the hallmarks of that struggle. To not resist racism is to throw away the gains that were fought for and won.
Many people who visit this website know me personally, yet in spite of the information here, there is rarely a word of support or encouragement muttered. Racism is an army that invades the personal and professional lives of many of us. It affects in some cases where we live and where we work. To reject discriminatory attitudes sometimes means taking a strong vocal stand. Taking a vocal stand means rejecting some of the negative stereotypes that are foisted upon us by a racist media establishment and exaggerated by the powers that be in all types of institutions across the land.
While I salute the recipients of recent awards, I wonder how many of them will go through their daily ventures in society without having to constantly confront constant but subtle barriers that are known as systemic racism. Despite this, I hope that their encounters with racism would not crush their spirits or contribute to moral collapse. This website is here to make injustice invisible and I encourage readers to post comments in the guestbook for others to read.
Recently I decided to visit the downtown Toronto Eaton Centre to purchase some personal effects. The weather was nice and sunny so I walked from my home to the mall. About five blocks from the mall, starting at Gerrard and Yonge St., a middle aged Canadian of Caucasian background was walking in the middle of the road between traffic cursing out a young couple [a Black male and White female] because the couple was interracial. His expletives were loud and offensive. At one point, he called the Caucasian female a white n****r, and the Black male a f****t. The couple continued to hold hands and walk as the Caucasian male followed them for blocks abusing them. I observed this behaviour and wondered what it will take for this man to halt his behavior.
As the couple entered the mall, the man followed them and continued his abuse. Some shoppers laughed [as if this was funny, while others turned the other way as if nothing happened].
As we reached towards the other end of the mall, there were some mall security. The couple and myself approached the mall security and explained that the couple were being racially abused and followed. The security escorted the man out of the mall and stood up and had a conversation with him, instead of assisting the couple who were obviously upset and traumatized.
I chatted with the couple and they appreciated the fact that I was there. We agreed that there were Canadians in our society who exhibited the bigoted attitudes of this man in all areas of Canadian life ranging from the streets right up to the boardrooms, schools and the media.
The mall security returned to the mall. At that point, I asked the security if there is a policy against such harassment and if they can have the man arrested for such racially motivated and menacing behavior. The said no. One of the security decided to ask me how long I have lived in this city. I said that the question was not relevant to the issue at hand. He responded by stating that the reason he asked me the question is because if I had lived here long enough, I would realize that incidents such as the one that the couple was subjected to occurs all the time in this city. Within the context of the mall security comment, it is noted that Toronto has and continues to be a highly intolerant city despite having the most ethnically diverse population in this part of the world.
This event resurfaced in my mind as I read the newspapers and watched on television the recents incidents of threats of violence and actual racially motivated violence that are targetted towards blacks and other Canadians of colour. NOW magazine reported that at Oakwood Collegiate Institute, in Toronto, there were allegedly threats of violence that directly targeted Black and Jewish Canadians. The chilly climate that such threats create are a barrier to teaching and learning for anyone concerned about the current lack of explicit anti-racist education curriculum, teaching, and learning in schools.
One of the other recent concerns pointed out in a letter to the editor of the Share Newspaper is the educational criminalization of young black students in the public school system in Toronto. These concerns are escalating and I hear or witness the litany of concerns as an educator, community advocate, webmaster of this site, member of the Organisation of parents of Black Children and based on my personal location and direct experiences as a young black male.
We deserve to enjoy the same quality of life as all Canadians and that includes freedom from harassment, discrimination, exclusion or differential treatment because of our race, ancestry, place of origin, association, and ethnic background. It is a sad state of affair when schools are not a safe haven for black students and educators. When schools become sites of systemic violence through marginalization, negative policies and practices, hate and actions that have a negative impact on our community, we must become highly concerned and demand action to correct these negative conditions.
Frances Henry et. al. recently published a Y2K edition of a book entitled The Colour of Democracy: Racism in Canadian Society. They speak about the many elements of everyday racism which are part and parcel of the daily practices of Canadian society, schools and systems [including the justice system. see Report on Systemic Racism in the Criminal Justice System]. These practices of systemic violence have a significantly negative impact on the productivity and competitiveness of Canada.
In my own personal and professional life, the current negatives practices and barriers that I face as a young black male person and teacher in Toronto is very insidious and unnerving. This makes me feel unwelcomed and unwanted in Canada, the country where I spent almost all of my adult life, the country where I received most of my high school education, all of my undergraduate education and now my graduate studies education, the country of which I am a citizen. My mostly positive experience in Los Angeles gives me a window on the barriers that black Canadians face right here in Toronto.
The solution to this scourge of anti [young] black male racism is illusive. You can try to do what I have done and make formal internal human rights complaints or complaints to the Ontario Human Rights Commission and then you will see how difficult the powers that be will collaborate to make your daily life.
Yet I have no regrets for practicing zero tolerance for any forms of discrimination or racism in the society or in the education system. As a citizen of Canada and an educator in Toronto, I will continue to speak out against systemic violence and discrimination in all its forms and manifestations.
To do otherwise is to give the bigots permission to continue these acts of violence and bigotry that has and still continue to deprive our community members of access to economic, social and quality of life opportunities that we create but do not reap the benefits.
April ended on a very sad note. South of the border, a black male and four other racial minority people in suburban Pittsburg died as a result of racially motivated violence from a young Caucasian attorney. My heart goes out to the families of the deceased victims and the communities that have to grieve the death by discrimination of five members of their communities.
On Wednesday, March 1 2000, I entered the train at a downtown Toronto Transit Commission Station and found myself sitting in the seat across from where Dr. Kin Yip Chun was sitting. Dr. Chun, a famous Physicist, was excited to see me. We had an engaging chat on the train, with other commuters paying rapt attention to our conversation. This was a conversation between two racial minority educators who are both subjected to racism in the education setting. We talked about issues around systemic racism in the education system and our approaches towards dealing with this scourge. I then told Dr. Chun that I will be at a community march on Sunday March 5, 2000, to make the Ontario Human Rights Commission aware of its responsibilities for enforcing the Human Rights Code in systemically racist education environments.
As I reflected on my brief but spirited conversation with Dr. Chun, I felt sad. Both Dr. Chun and myself are educators. I teach in the K-12 system in the Toronto area while Dr. Chun has taught at the University of Toronto. The two systems which myself and Dr. Chun are holding accountable for our plights are not isolated. They are part of a systemic societal bias known as everyday racism that excludes and shuts people out as well as ascribes worth based on race, ancestry, place of origin, association and color. No wonder there are very few young black male educators in the teaching profession. And no wonder so many black students 'drop-out' or are 'pushed out' of the education system that is supposed to enable them to acquire the skills they need to make their contributions in society.
I look at this situation and find that I am not alone in feeling under seige by a systemically racist system that seeks to dehumanize, degrade and destroy the best and the brightest, based on racist considerations.
Many before me faced the same treatment or worst, and ended up with inevitable burnout. I can see this cycle repeating itself in an insidious form. But, I am not about to accommodate racism, discrimination or any forms of exclusion that are exhibited toward me subtly or blatantly. I will resist and challenge discrimination, harassment and exclusion in all its forms as an educator, a Canadian citizen and as a human being. I will challenge social, economic and racial injustice with all my energy just like Tutu, Mandela and many others have successful done.
John Porter in his classic book entitled The Vertical Mosaic talks about the race-based hierarcies in Canada that perpetuate inequality in access and mobility especially for black Canadians. As I write this on the approaching International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, I observed that Canadian public attitudes are shifting backward mirroring vestiges of the past which included the perpetuation of a dual society with rights for some which are seen as sacred and rights for others which no one is bound to respect. The way I am treated in this country fits the latter scenario. For this reason, I am very sad and disappointed, and as such have no reason to celebrate on March 21. Let the struggle continue!!!! A luta continua.
On December 31, 1999 which some of us know by other names including new years eve, old years day or millennium eve day, my encounter with another black male gave me an opportunity to ponder, hopefully hope and also lament the state of young black males as we entered the 21st century.
The location was in Los Angeles. My brother and I were awaiting the shuttle to take us to our destination. We were approached by a young intelligent black male. He seemed scared. We exchanged greetings with him and he stated that the next five hours were going to be a challenge since he did not know if he would be alive in the next five hours to see the new millennium. I told him to not worry because in some of the other time zones the new millennium was well underway.
There was more to the story. As we looked further along the platform, there were around four LAPD Officers with flashlights searching the area.
The young black male had just been questioned and released. He was in the wrong place at the wrong time, but not of his own volition. The driver of the bus had parked the bus in a no parking zone near to a main electrical platform that had apparently been the impending target of millennium eve sabotage. The bus driver had left this youth in this bus and went to the restroom. Her judgement in this case placed the young man at risk. It caused him to be needlessly questioned about a possible sabotage that was averted. The fact of the matter is, the young black male was intimidated. The driver had parked in a remote spot and there was legitimate fear on the part of this young black male.
Why did he had to be placed in such a position? Why did he have to reach a state where he sees life as an effort bargain?
As the shuttle arrived to take us to our destination, I spoke with the driver. He was a young hispanic male. We had a great conversation about the incident. He told me the "LAPD have no love for us." He meant they have no understanding of where blacks and browns are coming from and as such are more likely to respond from a more defensive position which of course places our lives in jeopardy when we encounter a law enforcement official. He recounted his negative experiences with the LAPD in South-Central Los Angeles where he lives.
The above encounters at the Los Angeles Rail Station happened on the first day we ever fully explored the Metro Rail in Los Angeles. We boarded the city trains from Hollywood Blvd. & Western Ave. Station and transferred to two other trains which eventually took us to I-105 & Aviation station. The trains took us through a cross section of Los Angeles. The most visible things I discovered were that the most transit dependent population in Los Angeles were visible minorities. I encountered mainly African-Americans and Hispanics on the trains. I also discovered that there were a more visible, heavier presence of LAPD officers at the train stations in the areas heavily used and populated by blacks. I saw heavy police presence at the following stops; Rosa Parks Station, Crenshaw Station, Florence Station and a few others that were in highly populated black residential areas.
There was a big concert that evening at the Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles. It was striking that the station near the Staples Center had a less visible presence of LAPD officers, I didn't see any when the train stopped at that station.
So does this mean overpolicing in certain areas. Yes it does.
I see poor hispanics and people of color being ticketed for jay walking in downtown Los Angeles when the police can be directing the limited resources they have towards deterring crimes.
The implications of this rambling is that when a young black seem pessimistic and also fearful, and overly cautious, it has nothing to do with having a 'persecution complex,' it is more a survival technique in a racist system that ascribe worth to people based on race color, ancestry and place of origin.
The life experience of black males is anything but better or enjoyable.
So as you toast the new millennium and think about all the dreams, hopes and aspirations that it may bring, please think and re-evaluate your attitude towards people around you. We are all products of this society and all have a contribution to make. To negate the contributions of one person is to negate the contributions of millions. So lets all have our due with freedom from suspicion, harassment and discrimination. There I make my millennium wish and I am sticking to it.
I went into a convenience store to make a purchase and the store owner took the money for the items without paying any attention to a question I asked. I told the owner I am waiting for the answer. Her response was that her telephone call was more important than me. I told her that the call is probably important , but to assert that it is more important than me is going too far. She said she doesn't need my business. I gave her back the items I purchased and requested a refund. As I left the store I kept thinking that the owner already made an negative assumption about me without any hesitation. She then acted this out in a blatant way without considering that while her actions were overtly rude, they also manifested the everyday racism and rejection that blacks face in public places and public spaces on a daily basis.
Cases and other studies have proven that in Canada there is systemic racism, hate crimes and other acts of violence perpetrated against minorities on a daily basis. At a forum hosted by the YMCA in observance of the week without violence held at OISE/UT, the head of the National Action Committee on the Status of Women in Canada (NAC), Joan Grant-Cummings, recounts the struggle she has to engage in to educate her son that his voice and his rights count as a young black male in a somewhat hostile educational system. Joan Grant-Cummings also recounted that the women who are celebrated in the famous persons case harboured the most racist views. She urged her audience to think about the fact that within the feminist movement, there is racism. Ms. Grant-Cummings denounced the Racist-Feminists in our midst. The fact is that we all have an obligation to aspire and work towards a society where everyone is valued based on their contributions and ideas should be the reality for every Canadian. To want rights for yourself which you are not prepared to extend to others is the cause of most of the discrimination which is sophisticated and like a shadow in this society that presents itself to the world as equitable and racially harmonious.
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