The Community Edition is a part of Wilfrid Laurier University Student Publications, an independent student media organization with an obligation to amplify the voices of the unheard and underrepresented.
Over the past week, we have watched events unfold that have laid bare the toxic institutional roots of white supremacy. As an organization, we want to acknowledge that these roots are deep. None of these problems are new and none of them are invisible; they have merely been buried by a status quo that prioritizes ignorance and the safe existence of white lives over all others.
Black and racialized folks in our community are grieving. The lives that have been lost, reported and not, have carried with them the weight of their injustices.
As we acknowledge the existence of racism in our own community and beyond, it is important for us to also recognize that our silence contributes to institutional acts of violence. We have been discussing various ways that we can use our platform to contribute to this conversation in a meaningful way since it is our duty to challenge the members of our community and to encourage dialogue.
At this time we would like to extend our platform to those comfortable with sharing their experiences. It is our obligation to shed light on the pervasiveness of white supremacy to our readers. To accomplish this, we must use our platform to uplift and affirm the lives of marginalized folks, and we must use our privilege to address these fundamental inequalities.
Black Lives Matter – Waterloo Region put out a statement:
“In addition to showing up, the Black Community Solidarity Fund is a tangible way that the larger community can begin engaging in the under-resourced, ongoing, day to day struggle for Black liberation and racial justice in our region and stand in solidarity with international communities impacted by police violence. Please circulate in your networks.”
“The Black Solidarity Community Fund is also a way for the local community to provide support to ongoing Black-led anti-racist community care projects and organizations in the Waterloo Region.”
A local peaceful march and protest to raise awareness for the lives lost in violence and to show solidarity for the families and communities most impacted will take place on June 3 at 5:00 p.m. at 44 Gaukel Ave. The event will be hosted by community leaders Selam Debs, Carla Beharry, Aaron Francis and ACB Network WR with the support of Black Lives Matter – Waterloo Region. They will also be sharing the March on Facebook live from the Black Lives Matter – Waterloo Region page.
Go to KW Solidarity March Paypal to donate to help with supplies and organizing.
It is not enough to simply be “not racist”: as a collective — and as individuals — we have a duty to be actively and intentionally anti-racist.
Black Lives Matter.
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