Denial is Dangerous.

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, some young people said, "Oh, you mean White-bee." Since living here there has been constant evidence of anti-black racism.

So, I would like to put my voice forward, put my receipt on the table and thank you all for being a part of this enormously important town hall session. I would like to share that we have a problem of anti-black racism. I am not blind to it, and I don't know what the next steps are. Thank you for the opportunity to be part of this conversation. This is the tip of a very extensive iceberg.

I would like to know what I can do to be part of the movement forward towards positive change.

[I have lost my internet feed]

Sincerely,

Laura Michaluk.