We listened, took action’: Shelburne anti-Black racism task force recommends complaint and investigation process for racist incidents
By Alexandra Heck
A person of colour walked into a Shelburne bank.
When the teller saw their high account balance, the client was met with suspicion. They were asked to prove who they were.
Another resident said they had an issue with harassment.
They had received multiple threats, racial in nature and had filed a number of complaints with Shelburne police.
Shelburne police didn’t react. Eventually, the person grew so scared they moved.
A shopper in a Shelburne store was looking for a specific item.
They were told the store doesn’t carry their type of food. Go elsewhere.
“This is not a U.S. thing. This is not a Brampton thing,” said Alethia O’Hara-Stephenson, chair of Shelburne’s Anti-Black Racism Task force. “We still have instances of discrimination.”
The task force recently came forward to Shelburne council with a set of recommendations for combating racism, with one of them being a structured complaint and investigation process for alleged racist incidents.
“The idea is to have it tracked and reported,” O’Hara-Stephenson said, adding that with so many incidents, they seem to be filed away and forgotten. “It’s not going to be a one-way street.”
?The plan is to establish avenues for residents to open up about these experiences and create a safe forum to share their concerns without fear of backlash.
Among the recommendations is a call for Shelburne to hire a staffer to focus specifically on diversity, equity and inclusion.
“They could be focused on much of this work,” O’Hara-Stephenson said, explaining that she envisions a qualified candidate with HR experience in handling race-relations, project management skills, and a background and passion in equity and inclusion.
The report sent to council outlines changes that can be made over the next three to six months, such as joining the Canadian Coalition of Municipalities Against Racism and Discrimination, posting an action plan online and drafting an Anti-Racism/Anti-Oppression Policy.
The report asks the town to set aside funds for Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) youth to host events or start programs, as well as provide support for those trying to establish businesses and startups in town.
“We recognize the fact that everything cannot be achieved immediately,” O’Hara-Stephenson said, adding the plan has been broken down into goals that can be accomplished in both the short- and long-term.
She said the main push is to post all of the plans online in order for the public to keep the town accountable through the process.
“These changes are by no means going to solve the world’s problems, but it’s a small step,” O’Hara-Stephenson said, noting that the report reflects the input from the community, the momentum and passion following the BLM march in town. “We listened, took action.”