Raymond Sheppard: “With all the racism and hate we faced for hundreds of years, we still maintained Black values, many would say our values were sacred, and although every generation is different, we always seemed to cling to the things that keep us grounded and inspired.”
Raymond Sheppard: The details of this initiative are few and the communities of those most affected by racism and Injustice should know more of the details and the plan of action. For example, what power will be invested in this committee to make the necessary binding recommendations? Is there a plan to implement those recommendations?
Regardless of Covid 19, justice is past due for African Nova Scotians and African people. Access to real and true justice has always been late for African people, if it was even meted out at all. The passage of time and delays only adds to the pain and suffering. It is indeed a tragedy within a tragedy.
The CBC needs to commit to all voices of Canada, not just those with Eurocentric privilege. This year of 2020, should be the year that CBC dismantles the old guard and truly embraces proactive positive change that solidly respects African Canadians and First Nations.
Raymond Sheppard in a letter to the prime minister: “Your office and the Federal Liberal Party are on record as trying to pass legislation to penalize those individuals who out of desperation might have accessed CERB funds. This act would only serve to re-victimize African Canadians who have suffered long and hard in this country and continue to do so.”
The CBC generates revenue but is mostly funded by tax paying Canadians, including African Canadians. Nonetheless, the CBC has no national programs hosted by an African Canadian that deals with African Canadian culture, heritage and lineage. In fact, the CBC has only a handful of African Canadians employed across Canada, and even fewer in Atlantic Canada.
Raymond Sheppard: “If you have been racially hurt, either physically or mentally, and feel you have been wronged by the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission (NSHRC), you are not alone. There are many people like you across Nova Scotia. The NSHRC is a most powerful entity, but changes are warranted and must be made.”
“Several African Nova Scotian HRM employees I spoke with compare their working conditions to the working conditions in the Southern United States of the 1950’s,” writes Raymond Sheppard. “In my humble opinion HRM has been singing the diversity song without learning the dance that goes along with it.”
African Nova Scotians with the extra burdens of racism and marginalization to contend with have nowhere to turn. Raymond Sheppard writes on the urgent need for Africentric mental health services, situated in the community and run by the community.
Raymond Sheppard with some things Halifax police must do now. “The chief of police, the mayor and Regional Council must halt negotiations with the police union until such time that the union stops advocating to keep officers who have committed racist acts.”