Chief Sloly responded well to the question about systemic racism. The reality is that those within OPS and outside who claim there is no systemic racism represent a denial of institutional-based racism, or at least that it no longer serves as a significant force in the lives of people of colour. Such denial relegates racism to a thing of the past; inaccurately diminishes the effects of historical injustices on contemporary EXPONENTIAL inequities; suggests a level playing field in which anyone, regardless of race, creed, or colour, can succeed; assumes a fair and just society; and blames people of colour for their own victimization (blaming the victim).
In many ways, these forms of denial are likely to evoke stronger negative reactions from people of colour because individual disclaimers merely affect mainly interpersonal relationships, but such societal disclaimers strike at the heart of the omnipresent and continuing lived reality of racism encountered in the day-to-day lives of people of colour.#unitedforall #societyandculture #diversity #mentalhealth # #