The De Caire email controversy and seeing the ills of racism

Kojo"Easy"Damptey is a songwriter/music producer living in Hamilton who is interested in using art platforms to tell stories of marginalized peoples and communities.

Last week Hamilton police Chief Glenn De Caire endorsed an email with racist comments, and then we learned city councillorand police board chairLloyd Ferguson stood by his side.

It is verytroubling to see that men in leadership positions in our city don't have clear understanding how racism works in our society. The ills of racism span centuries, therefore, people whohave benefited from institutional racism fail to see how racism permeates every aspect of our society today.

BothDe Caire and Fergusonhave never experienced racism, but aswhite men have experienced the privilege that comes with their identity. Their privilege is somethingthey didn't ask for, but the "institution" gives it to them whether they like it or not.

What happens when you see the ills of racism?

I am not undermining or minimizing thehard work both men have put in to reach where they are. What I am saying is,as white men, they are benefactors of the "institution" and as such they are blind to the ills this "institution" creates.

Ifthey were to see the ills, that would mean two things:One, they would be criticizing the "institution,"thesame institution that has been good to them; two, once you admit the"institution" has ills, you have to change itand that meanuncertainty whetherone will loseprivileges enjoyed from the old "institution."

Chief De Caire signed off on what a lady said about black youth in our city. The comments in the emailwere racist, there is no doubt about it. So De Caire had two options, leave as is or use it as a thankyou letter to show the "institution" is working.

Here we see how he failed to see the ill of the"institution."Instead, he chose to highlight the positive, based on his identity as a white man inimplementing the "institution".

This is the problem most white people are faced with when they have tochallenge racism. They feel it undermines the structure they are working for or believe in, due to theprivileges they receive.

Personal responsibility required

With respect to Coun. Ferguson, this is not the first time he has shown his lack of understanding of issues of race. I don't blame him, many of our leaders in society, be theycouncillors, mayors, MPPs, MPs, ministers, senators and prime ministers, have little experience on race as it relatesto politics, economics, community building, identity, arts, culture, media etc.

Both men erred greatly and as men in leadership positions both should apologize publicly to the City of Hamilton, not just the black community, because this culture of racism needs to stop.

It can stop whenwhite men in their roles take on a personal responsibility to not only learn what they don't know but tosay "I am wrong and I apologize."

All city councillors, including the mayor, should be given training onrace issues. There are community workers, professors and consultants whocan help.

They should reach out to them and change the culture of racism in our city. The work is already beingdone at the grassroots level, it now needs to start at the top.