NEWS:
ELIMINATING
RACIAL DISCRIMINATION
After reading letters
‘Driven by discrimination’
(Chronicle
Journal, Nov.
12), and ‘No room for discrimination in school”
(C.J. Nov. 19), we are adding our
voice that racial discrimination is occurring in our schools.
Racism is a reflection of ignorance that exists in society. However, there are some people in our community doing
something to end racism.
The Regional Multicultural Youth Council
(RMYC) is working with Diversity Thunder Bay–a coalition of community groups
and individuals co-ordinating initiatives to eliminate racism. Together, we are
organizing events to promote March 21. This
is the day designated by the United Nations since 1966 as the International Day
for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
The Canadian government officially joined the March 21 campaign in 1986.
All the provinces and territories followed in 1988.
Our March 21 activities focus on raising
awareness about local efforts, and government programs, services, and resources
to combat racial discrimination. The
goal is to encourage everyone to join hands and work together to make racism a
thing of the past.
The RMYC believes that ignorance fosters
racism and a false sense of superiority. Talking
about stereotypes and our fears of
the unknown opens the mind and helps to build bridges of understanding among
different cultures, ethnic groups and races.
Learning about other people around us, and emphasizing our similarities
as human beings reduces the prejudices that often divide us.
The Youth Council’s strategy is to
engage children and youth in dialogue to appreciate diversity, and celebrate our
backgrounds. No-one is born
racist. Racism is learned from
family, friends, media, institutions etc. Kids
can connect better with their peers. So,
training youths to make presentations on racism and the need to treat fellow
human beings the same way we would like to be treated, empowers them to speak up
about the hurt and pain caused by regarding fellow citizens as unequal or
inferior due to race.
This year, the RMYC is making thousands
of Multicultural bows for high school students to wear in commemoration of March
21. The black, red, white and yellow ribbons intertwined symbolize the beauty of
the human race. They inspire
discussion on the significance of the International Day for the Elimination of
Racial Discrimination, and the need to get along. In addition, our members
will be participating in workshops and forums on ways to reach out to the
youth, and involve more students in anti-racism activities.
We are also planning a multicultural and
anti-racism gallery to promote respect and acceptance of friends, schoolmates
and neighbours from other cultures. This will consist of drawings and short stories with themes
such as why our creator loves us all, and did not make a mistake by giving us
different skin colours. Providing
children with opportunities to express themselves about diversity challenges
their attitudes and perceptions of other races. The idea is to exposes them to
multiculturalism in Canada as a strategy to combat racism.
But, March 21 is not the one day to wage
the fight against racial discrimination. Working for racial equality and
cultural sensitivity is an on-going struggle for social justice, which should be
maintained in our schools, workplaces and communities all the time.
We must remain vigilant, and do our part to break the cycle of racism for
future generations.
For more information on March 21 events,
please contact the RMYC at 622-4666, or go to: www.diversitythunderbay.ca
Jessica Plumpton, RMYC Project March 21 Co-ordinator
Commemorating March 21
This year the RMYC made and distributed thousands of Multicultural Bows to commemorate the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. The bows made of black, red, white, and yellow ribbons intertwined to symbolize the beauty of the human race united in harmony. There was a campaign to distributed the bows to political leaders and all high schools in Thunder Bay to wear as a sign of commitment to ending racial discrimination.
On Wednesday, March 19, Diversity Thunder Bay hosted a community breakfast at the Victoria Inn to commemorate March 21. Speakers included Mayor, Lynn Peterson, Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Stan Beardy, Ontario Judge Joyce Pelletier, and representatives from the Public and Catholic School Boards. Ten members of the RMYC attended the breakfast. All the people at the breakfast were given a ribbon.
In the evening, the RMYC, together with Thunder Bay Art Gallery's Youth Action Committee opened a youth exhibit and art competition featuring various forms of creative work by local students. The theme of Project 21 is equality, social justice and the fight to end racial discrimination. RMYC President Martin Zhang, RMYC Project
Co-ordinator Jessica Plumpton, and Amy Thunder Bay Art Gallery's Youth Action Committee
Co-ordinator Amy Gibson-Barlett spoke at the opening reception. The visitors at the reception were treated to a variety of multicultural foods.
The exhibit will run at the Thunder Bay Art Gallery by Confederation College until Sunday, April 6, 2008. Visitors will help to select winners for the various prizes that will be awarded at the end of the exhibit. Canadian Heritage is help to fund this youth-led initiative to engage children and youth in a campaign against racism.
An Awards Dinner for the winners is planned for Sunday, April 13, 2008. More information will be provided as the details are worked out.
On Thursday, March 20, Lakehead Public Schools hosted a Youth Embracing Diversity in Education
(YEDE) forum at the Airlane Travelodge. Because March 21 fell on Good Friday, activities to commemorate the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination was held a day early. 80 students from grades 7 to 12 represented all the schools. The RMYC was invited to lead a session on What Young People can do to Improve Race Relations. Amal
Abu-Bakare, Nefry Falla, and Martin Zhang made presentations to all the students who were broken into four groups. The Youth Council gave out Multicultural Bows to all the participants.
The RMYC presented a sample of the Racial Incident Reporting Form the Council developed to encourage students to report racist incidents they encounter. The forms will help teachers and school staff to monitor what is happening in regards to name-calling, racial harassment, racial bullying, etc. The simple form asks victims how they want the issue resolved. Reporting incidents will make teachers aware of what is happening, and challenge them to act. The students' suggestions to deal with the matter will give staff an idea of how to deal with the problem. This is part of the RMYC's campaign to create safer schools/safer communities.
Many students signed up to the involved in the campaign. The RMYC will work with them and their student unions to create a safe, healthy, racism-free learning environment in all schools. Anyone interested to help with the Youth for Safer Communities Project can get more information at the Multicultural Youth
Centre, 511 E. Victoria Avenue. 622-4666.