Racism needs to be battled in the same way as COVID-19, says Shelburne’s deputy mayor

Racism needs to be battled in the same way as COVID-19, says Shelburne’s deputy mayor

Source: Alexandra Heck, Orangeville Banner

The last week has been an emotional roller-coaster for Shelburne’s deputy mayor, Steve Anderson.

Like many, he was shocked and horrified to learn about the death of George Floyd, after a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes while Floyd pled for his life.

“First there was the shock, then there was the anger and frustration,” said Anderson in conversation with Dufferin County warden Darren White. “What I’m hoping to do is parlay those feelings, emotions, into solutions.”

Anderson says that racism needs to be fought like the coronavirus pandemic. He is calling on the community to come together to battle this threat in the same way one would a health crisis.

“Recognize that there is an insidious virus that impacts us all,” he said. “If there is inaction, there is a tremendous loss of life and mental anguish.”

According to the 2016 census profile, 8,360 of the total 61,735 people in Dufferin County identify as immigrants to Canada.

The census outlined 100 Europeans had recently immigrated in the area, along with 110 people from the Philippines, 45 from the UK, 35 from African countries, 25 from Jamaica and 15 each from Brazil and Colombia.

Deemed one of the fastest growing towns in Canada by the census, the Town of Shelburne is also the most ethnically diverse municipality in Dufferin County.

“Shelburne has changed so much over the past decade,” said White. “I enjoy watching the demographics of our communities.

He said it’s important for residents to have experiences with neighbours of all different ethnicities, giving one another chances to learn and grow.

Last year was the first time Dufferin leaders raised the Pan-African Flag to commemorate Black History Month in the county.

Both Anderson and White said they want to acknowledge the important work already being done to eradicate racism in Dufferin, but say there’s still more to be done.

“Racism and injustice impacts us all,” said Anderson, urging others not to see issues as Black, white or brown, but as issues that affect justice and inclusion for all people, no matter the ability, gender, race and sexual identity. “It’s really a community issue.”