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.

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    Thoughts from a first-time viewer

    by FamilyMan, over 3 years ago

    This post is a bit long, but please read and make immediate changes to durham.ca to more easily access information about these extremely important conversations.

    This was my first time witnessing a Town Hall meeting such as this. Listening and watching it (after finding the new link when the original stream stopped), was both inspiring and frustrating for me. I have lived in Durham my entire life. I grew up here as a visible minority and I've raised my three kids here for almost 15 years, and I wish for them to grow up in a community where they have... Continue reading

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    Disappointed

    by MD, over 3 years ago

    I was disappointed to hear the Regions lackluster response to what Ms Caesar-Chavannes reminded everyone, is a global issue. In case you hadn't heard, injustice in it's many forms, anti black and otherwise, is no longer going to be tolerated and swept under the rug.

    Durham has an historic and persistent reputation for discrimination and exclusion of non white people, in general. Take this opportunity to show all the people of Durham, including your growing racialized, tax paying population, who work and raise their families here, that everyone can expect to be treated with respect.

    Frankly, no organizations get brownie... Continue reading

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    Driving While Black in Durham

    by Jennifer, over 3 years ago

    Greetings,

    thank you to all members on the panel for hosting this very important and well needed discussion and for giving community members an opportunity to engage and share their thoughts and experiences.

    My submission is in the form of a question in relation to an experience(s) our 21 year old son had with a DR Police Officer during an alleged traffic violation earlier this year, and culminates with thoughts and a suggestion.

    Our son was driving a company vehicle while working at his part-time job when he was stopped by the officer, who advised him that he was speeding... Continue reading

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    BlackNorth Initiative

    by Enraham, over 3 years ago

    Wes Hall, Executive and Founder for Kingsdale Initiative has a call to action for CEO's in the private sector, to pledge that they will fill their Boards and Executive positions with 3.5% from the black community. I didn't have a chance to share my story or my position during the call therefore I wanted to ensure I include it here. Will the Durham Region join this pledge which will go a long way in the Black Community?

    Lastly, Harvard Business Review has a free implicit bias test that can be accessed at https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/takeatest.html that will help you identify if you... Continue reading

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    Clear Lack of Black Personnel of Influence on the Side of the Durham Region

    by Leroy, over 3 years ago

    Based on what I have noticed in the townhall, there is a clear lack of Black or other racialized senior personnel who truly understood the experiences of the Black or other racialized groups in order to respond to the questions with authority and authentincity.


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    Addressing education needs for black children

    by SarahA, over 3 years ago

    Black children need to be at the top of their classes in school. If they have the support from the school and community (meaning funding), they can be given more attention and support in order to be extremely successful in school and have greater opportunities post-high school to do well in society and continue these changes for ridding our society of anti-black racism.The black community do not receive the respect and humanity needed to address the (educational) gap between black and non-black children. Teachers, too, might be racist and give less time and attention to their black students. School teachers... Continue reading

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    Questions

    by Adeline Cohen, over 3 years ago

    Hi there, I was waiting to receive a call to join the voice call. I didn't get it, maybe because of technical difficulties, so I've typed some of my questions here.

    On police responding to mental health calls:

    Police don’t have the years of training that mental health experts have; receiving training is not the same as receiving a degree. This is an issue, not just because of the risk that there will be violence against a person in crisis, but also because even in a situation where police do everything right, they’re still not able to give the same... Continue reading

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    Access to Durham Townhall Meeting

    by Leroy, over 3 years ago

    This is a great opportunity for our voices to be heard but access to the townhall is very poor. Instructions are very poor for both telephone and online.

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    Restaurant owner Expereince Racism in Pickering

    by CherylAnn, over 3 years ago

    The restaurant of r. Delicious Cakes establishment was attacked by several individuals spewing racial and hateful language due to music being played. His establish was also thrown ripe bananas etc. How and what will the region of Durham put in place for black business owners to not experience this type of treatment. With the increase in black population, this will also lead to more looking to open their business, racial attacks will discourage from opening businesses in Durham.

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    2019-2022 Grants dedicated to antiblack/antiracist initiatives

    by Leroy, over 3 years ago

    Of the almost $7.5M in grants from the Ministry of the Solicitor General to the Durham Region, how much is dedicated to antiBlack/antiracist initiatives?