| I just checked out the piece about the racism situation in Canada (Canada's
Creeping Economic Apartheid) and in a way I feel ashamed to admit this but
when I think of Canada I never did think black people. Amazingly though, the
situation doesn't seem to be any better there than it is here. Thinking about
it now, it seems that no matter where black people are we are confronting the
same demon. Black unity takes on serious urgency. We have got to get it
together. Props to you Metro, you educated this brother today. -Wesley Z.
M.C.: Wesley, Canada bears more similarities to the U.S. than even Canadians
will admit. There is an overwhelmingly positive historical mythology that
continues to spread the propaganda that Canada is a "promised land" for
people of color. But like the U.S. Canada has a past (and a present) that
includes the exploitation of Native Peoples and the enslavement of African
people. Yes slavery existed in Canada from 1628-1833. That legacy continues
to manifest itself in systemic inequities that marginalizes. I agree with
you, our analysis of the struggle has to take on an international focus
because the fundamental issues are the same no matter where we are. Like the
African-Americans, African-Canadians are dealing with racial profiling,
driving while black, police brutality, income disparities etc., etc., etc... |
