The Community Race Relations Committee of Peterborough (CRRC)
Viral Racism
For a moment, the top news story is not about the number of dead from COVID 19. For the moment, the headlines are about the death/murder of George Floyd, a black man, at the hands of a white police officer. For the moment, they are about the outrage and frustration as people take to the street in response.
The killing of George Floyd, and what seems like an attempt to cover up the cause of his death, has brought the devastating impact of racism front and centre. If there was ever any doubt that racism is alive and well, it can no longer be denied. We need everyone on the frontlines of this fight – racism has gone viral.
The pandemic brought into focus some of the disparities faced by marginalized and racialized groups. Recent events have driven that message home and are forcing us to listen. Amidst a pandemic, thousands of people are marching in solidarity and support of George Floyd, his family and for all those affected by anti-black racism.
The rallies and marches give me hope, but we cannot get complacent. Every day we bear witness to the devastating effects of systemic and institutional racism. Every day we see the viral videos of racism in action. This is the time for each and every one of us to stand up and shout that it must end!
It’s not enough to simply be not a racist. If we are to create real and lasting change for racial equality, we must be actively anti-racist.
Peterborough Joins the Coalition of Inclusive Municipalities
Peterborough becomes the 22nd municipality in Ontario to join the Coalition of Inclusive Municipalities (formally the Coalition of Municipalities Against Racism and Discrimination).
“WE WON:” “6(1)a All The Way” Clause Ending Sex Discrimination in Indian Act to Come Into Force Before Election
BREAKING NEWS — “The Trudeau government is expected to formally announce this week that it will put the 6(1)a clause into force before the fall federal election, inside sources have told JOURNEY Magazine.
“The clause, which was added as a part of Bill S-3 (An Act to Amend the Indian Act), if it becomes law, will end the Act’s last vestiges of sex discrimination.”
2019 - International Year of Indigenous Languages
Languages play a crucial role in our daily lives. They are not only our first medium for communication, education and social integration, but are also at the heart of each person’s unique identity, cultural history and memory. The ongoing loss of indigenous languages is particularly devastating, as the complex knowledges and cultures they foster are increasingly being recognized as strategic resources for good governance, peacebuilding, reconciliation, and sustainable development. More importantly, such losses have huge negative impacts indigenous peoples’ most basic human rights.
An International Year is an important mechanism dedicated to raising awareness of a topic of global interest and mobilizing different players for coordinated action around the world. In 2016, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution (A/RES/71/178) proclaiming 2019 as the International Year of Indigenous Languages, based on a recommendation by the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. At the time, the Permanent Forum expressed concern that 40 per cent of the world’s estimated 6,700 languages were in danger of disappearing— the majority belonging to indigenous peoples.