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On September 20th and 26th 2023 we met with 15 different people across two meetings to discuss the kinds of programs and legislations the community wants to see put on by the Government of B.C. and the Whistler Multicultural Society. Nine different questions were posed to the groups to gain a better understanding of the support needed by the community and how current legislation and programs are impacting racial groups. Four of the questions and responses can be seen summarized below.
How can the Government of BC better support racialized and Indigenous peoples through anti-racism legislation?
Legislation needs to be clear, actionable and accessible to the public. The government needs to hold the institutions accountable for the acts of racism committed by the individuals within the institutions. However, group members came to agree that legislation was not the best way to combat racism because racism is often an unconscious act and rooted in the structures of our society.
What kind of programs can the Government of B.C. create to help heal communities, victims and survivors of racism?
The experiences or racialized peoples needs to be validated by the government and the greater community. The government should develop better and more accessible reporting tools for acts of racism. Any investigations into instances of racism should be investigated by an object third party centered on equity, transparency and accountability. In addition, programming and resources should be focused not only on helping individuals suffering from physical harm but also include mental health resources.
What kinds of programs can WMS create to support healing of victims and survivors of racist actions in our communities?
The creation of sharing circles that provide individuals with a safe place to share their experiences. Sharing circles should be developed with the help of counselors and other professionals. There needs to be more invested in education and continuous communication within the community. Initiatives such as intercultural sharing and greater education regarding the different racial groups in our community. There should also be resources for parents to help unpack topics of racism and bullying with their children.
How can the government of B.C. be held accountable for the programs and outcomes of this legislation?
Create a benchmark with clear, measurable outcomes that benefit marginalized, racialized communities and can be monitored regularly. There needs to be full transparency on what the outcomes are and how they will be monitored and reported. There should be a visually compelling annual report written in plain language and offered in multiple languages.
Additional topics mentioned during discussion:
Racialized individuals feel as though they carry the burden of representing their entire culture. As a result these individuals carry a large emotional and mental burden.
When speaking with organizations in Whistler it was made clear that racism falls at the bottom of the list of issues that Whistler faces. However, each of the issues highlighted by these companies cannot be solved without taking into account the racial discrimination experienced by Whistler community members. Whistlerites need to understand the impacts of institutionalized racial discrimination on community members
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