Is this systemic racism?

[I'm Me]

I saw this news clip yesterday and after I thought no matter how good your intentions you'll never please everybody.

You'll get the best whole perspective if you watch the video in the link.

'A slap in the face': Region of Durham under fire for Black History Month 'scavenger hunt'

The Region of Durham is facing backlash after what’s being described as a tone-deaf scavenger hunt meant to mark Black History Month surfaced online.

toronto.ctvnews.ca

 

[Sonic Temple]

I personally don't think it would be racism, but def. not the wisest thing to do . The intention I believe is honest but they should've articulated their thoughts totally different though.

 

[Robert Mugabe]

Doesn't seem that tone deaf compared to this.

 

[Darts]

A wise man said: "I'm not touching this subject with a 10 foot pole". You just know that no matter what you say, there will be people who feel offended.

 

[I'm Me]

Apparently she was the MP for Whitby from 2015-2019. She butted heads with Trudeau and even he had enough of her so I think that says a lot.

Encouraging staff to have a conversation with a black person, cook an African inspired meal, or dance to a Reggae song may be trivial, I can see that-but racist? She complains about this particular Black History initiative by the region yet offers not one alternative in the interview.

I can just imagine what working along side this woman would be like. You'd be on eggshells all day. She seems to be a professional whiner.

 

[y2kmark]

I personally don't think it would be racism, but def. not the wisest thing to do . The intention I believe is honest but they should've articulated their thoughts totally different though.

Not everything during a pandemic is gonna work. Now if they had a really racist scavenger hunt: Bottle of Aunt Jemima, box of Uncle Ben's, one of those black lawn jockeys and on and on, that would have been a different story....

 

[Tomoreno]

 

[I'm Me]

I see Durham Region has now made an official apology this morning. The day after the story for this particular black history month online activity which was another Chavennes criticized them for.

I read up about her online and she does seem to make racism her money maker. An opposition MP once commented when she was in office that she seems to focus on the colour of her skin as opposed to the issues of her constituents.

 

[itd131]

I'm sure this school board has an equity department or something like that. I wouldn't be surprised if the person who came up with the "program" was black. The media should be asking this question.

 

[I'm Me]

I'm sure this school board has an equity department or something like that. I wouldn't be surprised if the person who came up with the "program" was black. The media should be asking this question.

It was an exercise on Durham Regions internal web site for all its employees but yes you'd be right. It was put together by "the inclusion committee" which the region says has black members on it.

videoPlayer

toronto.ctvnews.ca

 

[Mr.Know-It-All]

I'm sure this school board has an equity department or something like that. I wouldn't be surprised if the person who came up with the "program" was black. The media should be asking this question.

Astute comment. It would be a great irony if that were true, and yet my guess is that it is. But we'll never know because the media will never dare to do the real investigative work or ask those basic questions.

 

[Mr.Know-It-All]

It was an exercise on Durham Regions internal web site for all its employees but yes you'd be right. It was put together by "the inclusion committee" which the region says has black members on it.

Ah there we have it. I posted too soon.

 

[colton1]

That's not racism. It's white people trying to appease black people but unintentionally offending them, instead.

 

[rex_baner]

I don't think it was intended to be racist.... I honestly think we should scrap black history month as a time to acknowledge it and simply incorporate it and other racial issues in our education system.

That being said, “This is the problem when you do not have representatives from communities within your region, within your staff component "

What makes that line very interesting to me is a Friend of mine told me of a story one of his friend's shared with him. The city of toronto had a program for staff to see a presentation of 'systematic racism' and it if I recall the presenter Made a comment and said " A good example will be shown by the 2nd Question I will ask"

First Question: " Any black people in the audience stand up of you're an employee for the city. "

* a few stood up.

Second Question: "Are any of you in management or supervisor positions? If so, please stay standing"

* all sat down.

 

[basketcase]

I'd say well intentioned and the food thing sounds okay to me. Specifying reggae as if it represents all black people is a little weak but the talk to a black person bit is just dumb.