After presenting to Arnprior Council (Monday) on the approach the body could take to educate itself on aspects of racism and discriminatory practise in the community, Ro Nwosu believes most elected representatives are sincere in their desire to confront innate bias that may exist.
She believes it is important that councillors engage a member of the BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and Persons of Colour Community) to workshop them on the way forward.
Arnprior Mayor Walter Stack was among those who thanked Nwosu for her presentation, but reiterated that grappling with the idea the practise may be “systemic” remains a stumbling block for him.
Nwosu believes Mayor Stack is over-fixated on terminology.
The BIPOC spokesperson says, on the other hand, anytime that white people engage other Caucasians on innate bias, or call them out for overt racialized actions, it is an opportunity for social progress.
The ripple effects of discussion can be positive, when we put our minds to it.
