Angela Bowden: Nova Scotia has had a significant race problem for ever and I’m not sure why that comes as such a surprise to some Nova Scotians, especially considering there are so many who are historically and currently participating in this abuse, and it is so publicly documented in this new age of internet and social media.
A broad and sweeping joint effort to repair relations between the Town of Truro and the African Nova Scotian community in that town is lauded as a historical event, not just for Truro or Nova Scotia, but perhaps even for Canada.
PSA: The mayor has agreed to submit a resolution for council consideration that the Council engage in talks with the Truro Black Community to develop an action plan that addresses the racism and discrimination against Black people in the town of Truro.
Press release: Recently, Dr. Lynn Jones and two elders of the Black community in Truro were racially profiled when they were approached and questioned by police while watching deer on the side of the road near Jones’ home.
This incident demonstrates the problem of racial profiling and the negative relationship that exists between police and the black community is a provincial wide issue.
Dr. Lynn Jones was questioned by Truro police when she stopped to watch deer, right in the historic African Nova Scotian Truro neighborhood where her family has lived for many generations. “Please add me to the list of African Nova Scotians who are constantly being racially profiled in this province for no valid reason and while you’re at it, give your constituents in Truro and your Town police a lesson in white privilege , anti Black racism and the history of the founding people of our province and Truro,” she writes in an open letter to Truro’s mayor.