Comments on: From the Primate: Lament and mourn today—and seek change tomorrow

By: tony saloway

tony saloway — Sat, 06 Jun 2020 19:06:49 +0000

“Since then I have recognized that I am racist. I am a white, privileged Canadian who is enmeshed in the cultural expectations and assumptions of the society in which I was raised. I have benefitted because I was born into the class and colour of those who have systemic power. ”
OUCH! When I read this I thought, “Is this just another white liberal self-flagellating over perennial race issues.”?
My second thought was, since this is a minefield, do I want to step in it?
First, I am white, I am not a liberal and I am certainly not privileged in a class or wealth sense.
On those occasions I have witnessed overt racism I have thought this was among the ugliest things I have ever witnessed. That said, I am unwilling to adopt the mantle, as our archbishop does, of being a racist at heart and unwittingly.
Since all races and all groups have a tendency to discriminate against others may I suggest the following:
Tolerance, empathy and denunciation where warranted.
I do not recommend self-flagellation.

By: Lorna M G Harris

Lorna M G Harris — Wed, 03 Jun 2020 20:18:17 +0000

Well-said. Thank you. I appreciate your honesty, and your willingness to reconsider what you had previously taken for granted and to do some introspection. May we all follow your example. Like the previous commenter, I would like to read and discuss White Fragility.

By: Del Crake

Del Crake — Wed, 03 Jun 2020 19:11:33 +0000

I believe everyone equal in the eyes of God , The fact that I was born a white child and grew up in a so called systemic society in my opinion does not make me a racist . Del Crake

By: Larry Armstrong

Larry Armstrong — Tue, 02 Jun 2020 12:15:46 +0000

The Late former Mo-Crebecc Chief Randy Kapashesit of Moose Factory, taught me, ” To have power is to have respect and responsibility.” He was referring to Indigenous self government and autonomy,and I think himself and definitely me- a privileged white 12th generation Canadian colonist.

By: Alan Hayes

Alan Hayes — Tue, 02 Jun 2020 02:22:17 +0000

Thank you so much for a very honest statement and for giving clear leadership in the right direction.

By: John A. Matheson

John A. Matheson — Tue, 02 Jun 2020 01:59:40 +0000

30 years ago the American band Public Enemy warned this would happen. Their beats were the best of the year and their content was completely political. No gangster rap stuff. Needless to say the establishment was outraged. The biggest opposition was from the rest of the music industry, whose job it is to keep a lid on social unrest, as Malcom X observed before he was assassinated.
“White Liberals do not understand that the band represents the views of the majority of black youth today”. This was said in 1990. I listen to the record the other day. It was so prophetic it made me cry.

By: Elisabeth Staton

Elisabeth Staton — Mon, 01 Jun 2020 23:33:41 +0000

The politest thing I can say about this is “claptrap.” So much irrationality, so few facts.

By: Dorothy Wilson

Dorothy Wilson — Mon, 01 Jun 2020 17:26:52 +0000

Thank you , my husband and I have read White Fragility in 2019 and have advised our family and friends to read the book. I would like to see this book in all dioceses and in the Theological Colleges across Canada . Also would like to see if someone who has leadership skills to do a course on White Fragility and start to have a conversation on inherit racism. Every clergy person , layperson should have this book in their libraries, they can help their congregations deal with racism from within. We must get pass our white fragility and listen to feedback without going on the defensiveness. .
Dorothy Wilson

By: Linda Chapman

Linda Chapman — Mon, 01 Jun 2020 15:18:41 +0000

Thank you, I think this is a very good article and raises lots of questions. I think too that we can often be very complacent in some of our Church Parishes. It saddens me when no one wants to talk and join in supporting peaceful demonstrations. We must keep this alive, racism is not going away easily.