This past Saturday was the Guelph Solidarity Protest to Support Black Lives Matter. Thousands of people gathered in downtown Guelph, myself included. I participated in the protest, not as a reporter or a journalist, but as an individual.
I am a white person and I understand that I am inherently privileged. It is my goal to be an ally, and I’m committed to educating myself about racial discrimination, and what I can personally do to challenge and help eradicate this hateful culture.
I attended the protest with the intent to show my support, but most importantly, to listen and learn. What transpired that day was a much more visceral experience than I imagined.
News articles covering protests give readers the facts; they tell you how many people attended, who the speakers were, the route of the march, etc. What they can’t do for readers is generate the emotional response that they feel when they participate.
I felt the emotion of every single one of the speakers, and of the crowd that day. It was written on their faces, transmitted through their bodies, and heard in their words.
Chanting along with a crowd of thousands, united in solidarity, is a feeling like no other. The pain, frustration, and exhaustion carried within those words is undeniable.
The diversity of people that came together, and the ways in which they showed support for Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC) was something to be celebrated.
Online, I’ve seen complaints of people on social media who say protesters will face consequences for congregating during the current pandemic. But what consequences do the people who continue to propagate and tolerate racism face, which has plagued the world for much longer than our current pandemic? COVID-19 causes the fear and suffering of individuals, regardless of race, but can we as a society claim the same sentiment?
Don’t get me wrong. I am not downplaying or shunning the seriousness of COVID-19. But what I do believe is that pandemic or not, action is needed and there is no ‘convenient’ time for that to happen. There is no convenient time to have a protest because racism, violence and discrimination have happened, and continue to happen, every single day. The time for it to end has long been overdue.
BIPOC deserve to live in a world that listens to them, values their voices, treats them with dignity and respect, and allows them to live safe lives full of love, opportunity, acceptance, and hope.
And so, I want to reach out to all BIPOC in our community. Your voice is welcome at The Ontarion. We see you, hear you, and value your words. We condemn discrimination and always strive to embrace and champion diverse identities and backgrounds. Please do not hesitate to share your stories with us. We want to publish them for all to see, celebrate, and learn from.
Sincerely,
Ellyse McGarr
Editor-In-Chief
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