Halifax activist Masuma Asad Khan, whose name means Innocent Lion Warrior, talks about pursuing a path of activism and challenging stereotypes, and the terrible racism she encounters every step on her way as a result.
We interviewed Toronto journalist, writer and community organizer Desmond Cole, who has been involved in the fight against carding in Toronto for many years. Turns out that much of what’s been happening here in NS occurred in Ontario as well, just a bit earlier. In other words, there are lessons we can learn.
An Ontario judge asked to review new street check regulations in Ontario similar to the ones Nova Scotia is contemplating, found that we’re better off just banning the racist practice.
This looks great. The launch of a new CD with recordings of traditional songs of African Nova Scotians, recorded between the forties and sixties. Sunday April 28, 2 PM.
Angela Bowden on growing up Black in Nova Scotia. “You do not belong here” became the name of the unfamiliar place where I lived, churning my stomach for as long as I can remember. It was as if I had arrived on a foreign planet and even though I spoke the language of its inhabitants, it still felt forced, unnatural, uncomfortable and entirely unfamiliar.”
I went to the Halifax Board of Police Commissioners meeting this afternoon when it recommended that street checks be suspended.. Afterwards I talked to some members of the African Nova Scotian community who think only a ban is good enough.
Media release and open letter to Minister Furey by the African Nova Scotian Decade for People of African Descent Coalition : “Street checks are illegal and must stop before we can sit to discuss their impact. We are not interested in negotiating away our inherent human and Charter rights.”
Ever since the Wortley report came out almost all the discussion has focused on street checks and whether to ban or regulate them.
What about rampant racism among the force as reported in Wortley’s community meetings? What about classism, sexism and ableism we continue to hear about? And why do we think the same old and tired recommendations are going to work this time?
PSA: There are no more studies needed. There is much work to be done to undo the layers of racism at play in the HPD. Banning street checks is only a start, but an absolutely necessary one. Let Minister Mark Furey know that we need to end the racist practice of street checks now.