Edmonton announces anti-black racism action plan

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The city pledges to provide « safe spaces that welcome Black communities » as part of a strategy to target racism in Edmonton.

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On Monday, the city announced an anti-black racism action plan as Mayor Amarjeet Sohi also reiterated the city’s support for the United Nations’ International Declaration for People of African Descent.

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“Throughout this work, an Afrocentric lens and approach will be applied. The voices of Edmonton’s Black community will always be centered and they will ensure that the work we do is relevant to those most affected,” Deputy City Manager Jennifer Flaman said of the proposed strategy.

“We are committed to providing safe spaces that welcome Black communities in Edmonton to share their voices. We will ensure that there are a variety of ways to engage in meaningful dialogue with various representatives of Edmonton’s Black communities, Council Advisory Committees and City of Edmonton staff as we develop our development plan together. action for Edmonton.

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Eight years ago, the United Nations proclaimed 2015-2024 as the decade for strengthening the economic, social, cultural, civil and political rights of people of African descent. Sohi reaffirmed the city’s commitment to the UN declaration, to eliminate all forms of racism, racial discrimination and intolerance.

He also acknowledged that the action plan was part of the city’s goal to build a city free from racism and intolerance.

While noting recent racially motivated attacks on black and Muslim women, he told reporters that the city council is « deeply committed » to building an Edmonton for all, and one of the first actions of this council is to adopt an anti-racism strategy.

« We’ve been working with the community since that day to see what it actually looks like, what this strategy looks like, » Sohi said. « Out of that discussion came a specific request that we need to focus our efforts on anti-Black racism in our city. »

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He said it was essential for the city council to reaffirm its commitment to celebrating the contributions of African communities in the city, as well as working with them to overcome the challenges the community faces.

Malcolm Azania, a writer and lawyer, told those gathered at City Hall on Monday afternoon that it was crucial to celebrate Africa and have an Afrocentric education.

“Today, Ethiopia industrially transforms waste into electricity, drinking water and building materials. Nigeria has its own space program, as do several other countries on the continent. The continent is full of highly educated and highly ambitious people, many of whom have achieved great things at Microsoft, NASA, and more. “Azania said.

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“If you have an Afrocentric knowledge of ancient history and modern brilliance, you know who to see, who to recruit, who to mentor, who to promote, who to invest with, who to seek as a mentor and who to vote for.

“And that’s why we need an Afrocentric education. So that we don’t leave money on the table, so that we don’t lose opportunities, so that Canada doesn’t fall behind, so that our country becomes better, smarter, fairer and more beautiful, and is part of a global African revolution for the human race. »

He also encouraged those gathered to support Afrocentric education in Edmonton schools.

“When we raise a generation of young people of all ethnic backgrounds and genders, from all religious backgrounds or from all secular backgrounds, to understand that Africa, the cradle of humanity, is a forge of genius, then we all rise up, » Azania said.

— With files by Madeline Smith

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