More supports for Vancouver Island, coast region to combat racism

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2021-01-21

The Province is strengthening anti-hate and anti-racism support for communities with seven new organizations offering Resilience BC services in B.C.’s Vancouver Island and Coast region.

“There is no place for racism and hate in British Columbia. To fight racism and hate crimes, we must work together in a co-ordinated way in communities in every corner of the province,” said Anne Kang, Minister of Citizens’ Services and responsible for Multiculturalism. “These community organizations will lead action at a local and regional level to respond to and prevent racist and hate activity.”

Under the Resilience BC program, 34 organizations were selected to provide services in 40 communities throughout the province following a competitive procurement process. The organizations chosen demonstrated a strong understanding of racism and hate issues and have a defined course of action at a local or regional level driven by community partnerships.

“We are grateful to receive this funding through the Resilience BC program,” said Lynn Weaver, executive director, Cowichan Intercultural Society. “This funding will help amplify grassroots actions in our community, ultimately contributing to the Province’s actions to end racial injustice throughout B.C.”

Resilience BC is one of a number of measures the B.C. government is taking as part of its commitment to stand up for diversity, end racism and all forms of discrimination, and support multiculturalism in British Columbia.

Today's Vocabulary

1. racism (n)
policies, behaviours, rules, etc. that result in a continued unfair advantage to some people and unfair or harmful treatment of others based on race 

2. amplify (v)
to increase the size or effect of something

3. procurement (n)
the process by which an organization buys the products or services it needs from other organizations

4. grassroots (n)
the ordinary people in a society or an organization, especially a political party

5. resilience (n)
the ability to be happy, successful, etc. again after something difficult or bad has happened

6. injustice (n)
(an example of) a situation in which there is no fairness and justice

7. measures (n)
a way of achieving something, or a method for dealing with a situation

QUESTIONS
  1. Who is Anne Kang?

  2. What is Resilience BC?

  3. How many organizations were selected to provide services?

  4. What springs to mind when you hear the word ‘racism’?

  5. The Province is strengthening what?
DISCUSSION
  1. Do you think racism will ever disappear from this world?

  2. What is racism? Have you experienced it?

  3. Can you share a story of experiencing or witnessing racism?

  4. What can we do to stop people being racist?

  5. What should the punishment be for racism?