In a busy, busy world, we can easily get lost in the everyday minutia of our own hamster wheels, running to get task after task done. Checking items off our To-Do lists feels so good, it鈥檚 hard to ignore the siren call of accomplishment. Yet sometimes, we truly do need to stop 鈥� maybe to smell the roses, maybe for a moment of quiet, and definitely for some reflection about the world, others and our human condition. Charity Village recently released their annual calendar of special awareness days (download your own copy at ) and we wanted to highlight a couple here and also explain the importance of active versus performative allyship (more on that below).
At the end of January, two dates of note are
January 27: International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust and January 29: National Day of Remembrance of the Qu茅bec City Mosque Attack and Action against Islamophobia
Officially proclaimed in November 2005 to commemorate the victims of the holocaust, January 27 marks the anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz Birkenau concentration camp in 1945. The day also reaffirms UNESCO鈥檚 鈥渦nwavering commitment to counter anti-semitism, racism and other forms of intolerance.鈥� You can learn more about this at .
Eight years ago on January 29 a gunman opened fire at the Centre culturel islamique de Qu茅bec in Sainte-Foy, killing Ibrahima Barry, Mamadou Tanou Barry, Khaled Belkacemi, Abdelkrim Hassane, Azzedine Soufiane, and Aboubaker Thabti. Last year Prime Minister Trudeau issued this statement: 鈥淭hey were sons, brothers, fathers, and friends 鈥� proud Muslims, Quebecers, and Canadians. But they were targeted simply because they were Muslim. On January 29 every year, we pay tribute to the victims we lost to this heinous act of hate. We also stand in solidarity with our Muslim friends and neighbours and reaffirm our commitment to combatting Islamophobia.鈥�.
In the Central Okanagan the local faith community, including the Jewish Community, Muslims and Christians, gathered to show support and heal together. We are fortunate to have strong leadership in these faith communities that works together to eradicate hate.
Starting February, it is Black History Month, a time to focus on the contributions that Black Canadians and their communities have made. In 2021, 1.5 million people in Canada reported being Black in the Census. This number is growing through immigration and by 2041, is projected to be over three million. Taking time in February to learn about the history of Black people in Canada is an opportunity to learn on our own through sites like the () and local events and activities (check your Events calendars 鈥� there are lots of activities happening).
As you take time to reflect on these three awareness opportunities, we encourage you to move beyond the performative act of showing your support by changing your social media image, or sharing a meme. Commit to learning on your own, don鈥檛 just ask a member of the identified community to explain to you why the awareness day or month is necessary. Actively promote marginalized voices. Start conversations, and be willing to lean into the discomfort of hard conversations. Don鈥檛 feel bad or feel shame. Act.
One meaningful way you can make a difference and activate change is by reporting incidents of discrimination and racism through the that KCR hosts in partnership with UBC. You can make a report here as either a witness or the target of discrimination. The importance of witnessing the transgression is critical in making change and in validating people who are being targeted. For more information on the portal and United Against Discrimination, contact Wan at wan@kcr.ca.
And mark your calendars for February 10 at 5:30 for a powerful evening of personal growth as KCR, the City of 91大黄鸭 and UBC host 鈥淎 Journey to Radical Compassion鈥� with Tony McAleer, a former Canadian Neo-Nazi and now an international speaker dedicated to helping individuals and communities combat White Supremacist movements. The evening includes screening of a powerful film and Tony鈥檚 insights into how people are drawn into and leave extremist ideologies, reconnecting with their own humanity. Tickets are only $5 and more info is available on .
Dorothee Birker is the communications & development manager for KCR Community Resources.
