Community News
Alienation, Anger, and Distrust; Black Ontarians are working towards developing a stronger political movement
BY SIMONE J. SMITH
“Part of my job is to let community know what the government is doing” ~ MPP, Laura Mae Lindo
“What is the point in voting? Nothing is going to get done anyways; the rich get rich, and the poor get poorer?” Does this disparaging commentary sound familiar to you? It is the types of conversations that can be overheard when election season comes around in Canada. Why bother voting? What is the point? It is usually these same people who do the most complaining when they see parts of their lives changing because of changes that are happening at the government level. It is why it is so important that as a member of the community, you make it your responsibility to learn as much as you can about your country, and community. It is also the responsibility of those who do represent us in Parliament, to reach out to us and educate us on what is really happening.
Toronto Caribbean Newspaper had the opportunity to sit down with Laura Mae Lindo: Critic, Anti-racism Critic, Citizenship and Immigration Services; Member, Standing Committee on Regulations and Private Bills, and Chair of the Black Caucus, the very first of its kind in the Province of Ontario. It was amazing to hear how passionate MPP Lindo is about her job. She spoke candidly about the fact that our community needs to see themselves represented when they look at the government. As a leader, she knows that it is her job to be at the table when decisions are made that are going to impact her community.
International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
“This is Canada. There is no racism here. It is Americans that have the race problem, not us?” This narrative is common in Canada, and racialized communities are often fed this rhetoric when they speak on their lived experience. It is this unrecognized truth of racial discrimination that makes the commemoration of The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination so important here in Canada, and worldwide.
The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed annually on March 21st, the day that police opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration in Sharpeville, South Africa. The day was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 1966, and they reiterated that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity. Racial and ethnic discrimination occur on a daily basis and hinders the progress of millions of people all over the world. This is why it was disturbing to MPP Laura Mae Lindo, that on March 21st, 2019, a proper commemoration was overlooked. Not only was it overlooked, but MPP Laura Mae Lindo also had to deal with the impoliteness of another Minister, Sylvia Jones, Minister of Anti-Racism and Corrections.
Let’s provide some insight on how a day looks like for an MPP. Each day is mapped out for them; everything that is going to be discussed in the House is provided to them, including whatever is going to be commemorated for that said day. According to MPP Lindo, the government actively commemorates special and significant events. For some reason, The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination did not appear on the list of discussions.
MPP Lindo was given five minutes to speak, and during her speech, she highlighted the lack of attention given to the day, and she voiced the discontent that racialized community felt;
“I would have to begin by saying that we were remiss that this wasn’t actually spoken of earlier in the day. We were a little bit worried, at least on our side, as part of the official opposition, that there wasn’t an understanding of how important it is for us to take this day seriously. A day to eliminate racial discrimination isn’t something that we should be celebrating without policies, practices and a transparent plan. It’s wonderful that we all came together today and put on multi-colored ribbons to demonstrate that we wanted to fight for racial equity, but we need to do more than that.”
These remarks came after an uninterrupted speech given by Minister Sylvia Jones. Throughout MPP Lindo’s speech, Minister Sylvia Jones continued to interject even after she had been given her time to speak. MPP Lindo handled the interruptions gracefully;
“As somebody who has been here doing this work, who wants to do good work, who would love to have a briefing from the minister that’s yelling at me right now, I am saying: Let’s not celebrate; let’s do the work. I’m ready to work. I hope they are, too.”
The wonderful part about this story is that as a community, we know that there is someone at the governmental level fighting for the community. This article is only an introduction, as the Toronto Caribbean Newspaper will continue to provide you with facts, quotes, and decisions made that impact you.
For those who are interested, much of what is said in the house is public knowledge; the link to that day’s Hansard transcript is below. Knowledge is power http://hansardindex.ontla.on.ca/hansardeissue/42-1/l080.htm