Now that Black History Month is coming to an end, I already feel people losing interest in the movement. Maybe because they believe that everything Black Lives Matter-related happens in February, but that’s not the case. There’s so much we can do in the other months as well.
I don’t just mean going to protests or donating to Black charities. Although those are all great examples of how to be a proactive ally, it’s also important to continuously do smaller acts that are easier to commit to, like supporting Black businesses, further educating ourselves about the Black experience, and speaking up against racism toward Black people and any members of the BIPOC community.
There’s still lots of racism and discrimination directed towards the Black community. It can be subtle, but when we notice it it’s vital to speak up. Unchecked comments and racist “jokes” cause a lot of pain; I’ve seen and heard a lot of these over the years. I’ve also witnessed how others struggle with speaking up against these comments; I’ve even experienced this myself. I remind myself that being a bystander is just as negatively impactful as being the one spreading these comments. It’s the small things that we can do year-round that help create a safe community for everyone, of every race, going to Camosun.
One month out of the year is a good start, but to see a difference in our society we have to put in the work every day of the year. That’s what makes the difference between a movement and a moment. Too many have lost interest now that media coverage of Black Lives Matter is slowing down. But there are still Black people being killed and fighting against racism every day in the world, including here.
A lot of people think Victoria is a progressive city, but I believe we can’t call it that just yet. We need to work harder to end discrimination and prejudice in our community first. This looks like raising and supporting more Black voices, and making conversations about race more common and encouraged. When these topics are considered awkward or taboo it holds us back from sharing views and information. An easy way to start is to spread awareness on social media or with your friends in person.
Another important thing for us to do is to move away from the “I don’t see colour” philosophy. This kind of thinking holds us back. It’s not true that we are all seen as equal, so pretending we are isn’t going to get us anywhere. Instead, we should be celebrating our differences and the things that make us special.
For the end of February, I’d like to see more students educated on Black history in Canada. You can do this by reading, watching, or attending Black History Month events. I also hope the Black community celebrated their heritage this February.
But February is just the beginning.