Leading the way in fight against racism

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This article was published 16/10/2020 (1993 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

When it comes to tackling racism, faith groups should be leading the way.

That’s the view of three Winnipeg faith leaders who are participating in Abrahamic Faith Responses to Racism, a webinar sponsored by the Islamic Social Services Association.

The webinar, which takes place at 7 p.m. Monday, features Rabbi Kliel Rose of Congregation Etz Chayim, Rev. Loraine MacKenzie Shepherd of Westworth United Church, and Shahina Siddiqui, ISSA executive director.

“People of faith have to lead, mobilize their congregations and stand up for the marginalized,” said Siddiqui. “That is what our faith is all about.”

At the same time, she said, “We can learn from each other about how we can work together to stand against racism.”

As a person of colour and member of a minority religion in Canada, Siddiqui knows what it is like to experience racism. “But just because I suffer from it doesn’t mean I should be blind to the suffering of others,” she said. “I can’t just lick my wounds, close myself up and be silent.”

For MacKenzie Shepherd, being anti-racist as a white person means acknowledging her privilege.

“There are things I for granted such as never being pulled over by police or followed in a store by security guards because of my skin colour,” she said.

This is an example of systemic racism to her, revealing “who benefits from the system and who doesn’t.” At the same time, she needs to acknowledge and deal with the things she has done or said in the past that were racist.

“We need to be honest with who we are, and what we have been, so we can move forward in a better way,” MacKenzie Shepherd said.

As a member of the United Church of Canada, she is part of a denomination committed to being anti-racist and “owning up to mistakes of the past, including being involved with residential schools.”

This commitment is easier to maintain by working with other faith groups. “We can’t do it alone. The more we can do across faith traditions, the stronger we will be,” she said.

Rose’s commitment to combatting racism arises from “the fundamental principle of Judaism that recognizes that everyone is created in the image of the divine… We see the inherent value of every person.”

As victims of anti-Semitism, Jews know what it is like to experience racism, he said, noting it is “a special burden and responsibility.”

At the same time, Jews also need to “move beyond our own victimization” to see and support others who are victims of racism, Rose said, adding they need to “call out injustices against others.”

Any discussion about anti-racism also has to “move beyond words to direct action… Talking and preaching needs to be followed by action.”

The webinar is the first in a series of six webinars on racism sponsored by ISSA. For more information, and to register, go to www.issacanada.com or call 204-944-1560.

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