On this International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, I ask you to join the CNC community in contributing to this year’s theme as marked by the United Nations: voices for action against racism.
According to the UN, the theme speaks to:
- The importance of strengthening meaningful and safe public participation and representation in all areas of decision-making to prevent and combat racial discrimination;
- Reaffirming the importance of full respect for the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly and of protecting civic space; and
- Recognizing the contribution of individuals and organizations that stand up against racial discrimination and the challenges they face.
I am grateful for efforts throughout the college to build a welcoming and diverse community that supports our vision of learning together, changing lives, and creating futures. This includes welcoming individuals from around the world. It is also focused on our relationship with First Peoples who have faced systemic discrimination, and deal with the intergenerational trauma through the legacy of institutions such as residential schools.
There are many ways you can lend your voice for action against racism:
- Visit the cnc.bc.ca website on events taking place at your campus.
- Visit UN.org to learn more about ways you can fight racism.
- Listen to or watch the CNC Podcast episode on how the CNC community is working to prevent racism and address it promptly when incidents take place.
- Share your voice on your social media accounts, using the hashtag #cncstandingagainstracism
While we are marking March 21st in the on-going effort to end racial discrimination, the work for diversity, equity, and inclusion takes place every day. It’s our obligation to actively learn about and understand other cultures, call out bigotry and hate speech, and stand up for those facing harassment.
Executive Director of Aboriginal Education Marlene Erickson noted, “I think the biggest challenge we face is getting people to understand that racism is a systemic and societal problem and it will take everyone to take up the torch or we will not eradicate it.
“Too often it falls on the victims of racism to take action, to speak out, to facilitate seminars but we need allies. Every citizen needs to understand that it’s their problem and they need to be part of the solution and not part of the problem. To take that back to us in post-secondary, we can play a role in educating about racism and also in providing people with tools to fight racism – this is the influence we have, and the responsibility.”
My commitment is to help build an environment at CNC that welcomes and celebrates cultures from around the world; in which everyone feels welcomed, valued, and encouraged; and that supports reconciliation.
Thank you.