BLACK LIVES MATTER
By Perla Javate the Co-chair of Ethnocultural Council of Manitoba-Stronger
Together Inc.
We, the Ethnocultural Council of MB – Stronger Together Inc., with a membership composed of newcomer immigrants and refugees and visible minorities, join our brothers and sisters in raising our voices for equality and justice and for the Black Lives Matter Movement!
We would like to, first of all, extend our heartfelt condolences to the grieving families, loved ones and friends of George Floyd and all the other victims of violence because of the colour of their skin. We are touched at our very core and are enraged by and we condemn the senseless killing of harmless victims that stems from racial discrimination and systemic problems.
Protesters are gathering in groups amidst our pandemic, knowing the risks of infection and of spreading the virus to others and yet they are doing it at great risk to themselves and their loved ones because changes in our system has to happen now. Enough is enough!
We Canadians, cannot afford to feel distant from what is happening in the United States. We need to learn our lesson fast and work towards a serious, introspective and honest review of our systems; bring to light and make changes to ensure all citizens are treated equal in the face of our law and our society. Individually, we too, have to do serious, introspective and honest review of our biases and prejudices and confront ourselves with it. CHANGE has to happen NOW if we wish to save our society from destruction and chaos. We can all do this together. Let us start with ourselves.
WE, THE ETHNOCULTURAL COUNCIL OF MB-STRONGER TOGETHER MEMBERS, STAND AND RAISE OUR VOICES ALONG SIDE OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS:
BLACK LIVES MATTER! BLACK LIVES MATTER! BLACK LIVES MATTER!