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Anti-Black Racism Town Hall

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Anti-Black Racism Town Hall


Watch a full recording of the event. Closed captioning is available.

View the full transcript of the event.

View the Anti-Black Racism Final Report.

On August 6, Durham Region residents were invited to ask questions, listen in, and share stories/ideas about how the Region can address systemic anti-Black racism in our community.

Durham Regional Chair John Henry invited Durham Regional Police Chief Paul Martin to join in the discussion, along with the following Durham residents:

  • Sean Mauricette, Award-winning Motivational Speaker, Artist and Youth Worker (Moderator)
  • Celina Caesar-Chavannes, Consultant and Former Member of Parliament
  • David Mitchell, Assistant Deputy Minister, Youth Justice Division of the Ontario Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services
  • Ann Marie Morrison, incoming President for the Black Student Success Network, Durham College

Your voice is important

No form of racism is acceptable. Yet, we know that people continue to experience unfair treatment because of the colour of their skin or their cultural background—some more frequently than others. Your advice will allow us to better understand the scope of the situation here in Durham Region; and how Regional programs and policies can help address systemic anti-Black racism in our community.


Watch a full recording of the event. Closed captioning is available.

View the full transcript of the event.

View the Anti-Black Racism Final Report.

On August 6, Durham Region residents were invited to ask questions, listen in, and share stories/ideas about how the Region can address systemic anti-Black racism in our community.

Durham Regional Chair John Henry invited Durham Regional Police Chief Paul Martin to join in the discussion, along with the following Durham residents:

  • Sean Mauricette, Award-winning Motivational Speaker, Artist and Youth Worker (Moderator)
  • Celina Caesar-Chavannes, Consultant and Former Member of Parliament
  • David Mitchell, Assistant Deputy Minister, Youth Justice Division of the Ontario Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services
  • Ann Marie Morrison, incoming President for the Black Student Success Network, Durham College

Your voice is important

No form of racism is acceptable. Yet, we know that people continue to experience unfair treatment because of the colour of their skin or their cultural background—some more frequently than others. Your advice will allow us to better understand the scope of the situation here in Durham Region; and how Regional programs and policies can help address systemic anti-Black racism in our community.

Share your experience

If you feel comfortable doing so, please share your stories of experiencing anti-Black racism in Durham Region. This will allow us to better understand the scope of the situation here in Durham Region; understanding how Regional programs and policies can help address systemic anti-Black racism in our community. We are listening.

If you would prefer to share your story by email, please send it to DurhamStrong@durham.ca.

Thank you for sharing your story with us.

CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.
  • Share Creating Fund Resources Does Not Address or Fix Systemic Problems on Facebook Share Creating Fund Resources Does Not Address or Fix Systemic Problems on Twitter Share Creating Fund Resources Does Not Address or Fix Systemic Problems on Linkedin Email Creating Fund Resources Does Not Address or Fix Systemic Problems link

    Creating Fund Resources Does Not Address or Fix Systemic Problems

    by rebekah.nose, almost 4 years ago

    Since the out-pour of (long-overdue) attention the BLM movement has received since George Floyd's murder, I've noticed many organizations rallying to initiate and implement support in the millions with a hyper-focus on Black-only investment, partnerships, fellowships, etc., into cultural and economic development to, "Confront anti-Black racism" in the cities of Toronto, Pickering, and Ajax, to name a few.

    I'd like to understand the panel's thoughts if these organizations are missing the point.

    By separating funding channels for various organizations being led by people of colour and whites alike, aren't they just perpetuating the divide even more so and not actually... Continue reading

  • Share Concern about stereotyping of black youths with Durham Police on Facebook Share Concern about stereotyping of black youths with Durham Police on Twitter Share Concern about stereotyping of black youths with Durham Police on Linkedin Email Concern about stereotyping of black youths with Durham Police link

    Concern about stereotyping of black youths with Durham Police

    by Concerned mother , almost 4 years ago

    Are there plans to train the DRPS on anti-black racism? As my children grow older, I am concerned that my children will wrongfully be accused or stereotyped in a negative light by police because of their skin colour. What actions are the police service going to do to address this systemic racism?

  • Share Mental health de-escalation on Facebook Share Mental health de-escalation on Twitter Share Mental health de-escalation on Linkedin Email Mental health de-escalation link

    Mental health de-escalation

    by SarahA, almost 4 years ago

    What is the police force and other authority figures doing to learn how to detect signs of mental illness, and not assuming a black person or person of color is being aggressive? In essence, preventing the use of excessive force by recognizing that a person actually needs support and help and not aggression.

  • Share SYSTEMIC RACISM on Facebook Share SYSTEMIC RACISM on Twitter Share SYSTEMIC RACISM on Linkedin Email SYSTEMIC RACISM link

    SYSTEMIC RACISM

    by Concerned Citizen, almost 4 years ago

    I'll glady join any fight against systemic racism. If anyone today in the town hall can point to a policy or current law that is put in place that is racist towards Black people, I will join in the fight to change that specific policy or law. It seems that inequity in outcome is based more on a lack of work ethic than the coulor of someone's skin. Racism is real but systemic racism is just an excuse so people can blame others for the poor decisions they made throughout their lives.

  • Share Mentorship on Facebook Share Mentorship on Twitter Share Mentorship on Linkedin Email Mentorship link

    Mentorship

    by Emily, almost 4 years ago

    My husband is a Black professional living in Durham region. He says that he would like to see the success of the next generation. There are many Black professionals living in the region. We believe that there should be ongoing mentorship and networking opportunities that young Black people in Durham Region have access to; potentially online or through community centres when they reopen.

    We also think youth should be engaged with competitions that reward achievement in areas of interest. Some ideas are music production, game development, or storytelling.

    What types of initiatives do we have, or are we looking at... Continue reading

  • Share Problem With Live Stream on Facebook Share Problem With Live Stream on Twitter Share Problem With Live Stream on Linkedin Email Problem With Live Stream link

    Problem With Live Stream

    by Willie Woo, almost 4 years ago

    Good Evening:

    Don't know if anyone can react asap, there are a number of us that have lost the live feed. Can IT deal with this or is there a phone number to call in so we can listen. Very important topic for our Region. Disappointed to not be able to follow the discussion.

    Thank you

    Willie Woo

  • Share Reflection of Black Educators in Durham Region on Facebook Share Reflection of Black Educators in Durham Region on Twitter Share Reflection of Black Educators in Durham Region on Linkedin Email Reflection of Black Educators in Durham Region link

    Reflection of Black Educators in Durham Region

    by Mellissa, almost 4 years ago

    As a mother of 3 living in Durham region over the past 14 years, there is a huge disparity in the education system as it relates to hiring, as well as a lack of sensitivity towards visual minority particularly black students and immigrants. How can the region not only improve on ensuring it is hiring black educators but ensure that educators are sensitive, respectful and knowledgeable in understanding the schema of students that make up our school communities in Durham?

  • Share I LOVE DURHAM on Facebook Share I LOVE DURHAM on Twitter Share I LOVE DURHAM on Linkedin Email I LOVE DURHAM link

    I LOVE DURHAM

    by BROWN, almost 4 years ago

    I love living in Durham Region. It is a wonderful Community to raise a Family. With all the uncertainty in the world at this time. I am thankful to be living here. Being a person of colour it is even more important for us to be vocal about the things that can tarnish and derail the struggle our fore fathers have endured for decades to get some respect and dignity. It is difficult not to get upset when everything you do is stereotyped or profiled. Our kids need us to be better and not accept the status quo. Racism is... Continue reading

  • Share Role Models in Education on Facebook Share Role Models in Education on Twitter Share Role Models in Education on Linkedin Email Role Models in Education link

    Role Models in Education

    by DurhamResident17, almost 4 years ago

    I raised both of my children in durham region over the past 18 years. They both have never had a black teacher. I am confused as to why such diversity in Toronto has not translated to durham region. I believe clear transparent changes need to be made now.

  • Share Denial is Dangerous. on Facebook Share Denial is Dangerous. on Twitter Share Denial is Dangerous. on Linkedin Email Denial is Dangerous. link

    Denial is Dangerous.

    by Laura Michaluk, almost 4 years ago

    Hello,

    When I got the advanced notice voice recording about this Town Hall I felt a sense of relief. We need to begin somewhere and I believe that tonight is a very important beginning.

    I am very concerned about the racism, overt and systemic, in our world. I am deeply saddened by the racism and anti-black racism in my own region. The Durham Region is not free from this problem and for anyone to think we are not part of this problem, I believe isn't educated enough about it.

    When I moved to the region, and considered moving to Whitby... Continue reading