These West Island organizations look to build bridges through cross-cultural dialogue against racism

The West Island Black Community Association – known as WIBCA – hosted their ‘Building Bridges: Anti-Racism’ Forum on Friday with the goal looking to raise awareness about systemic racism on Montreal’s West Island.

In a step toward unity, the West Island anti-racism forum held in collaboration with the Bharat Bhavan Foundation, brought together community voices to confront racism and foster meaningful engagement.

“We really want to build that bridge because together we are definitely stronger,” said WIBCA President Joan Lee.

The forum opened discussions through interactive workshops focused on addressing racism hoping to engage individuals who are quote “committed to fostering safe, inclusive, and equitable environments for all”

Lee said this is the first joint forum along with immigrant rights organization Bharat Bhavan Foundation – which helps newcomers integrate.  

“Over the period of time, the type of racism has changed,” said Ankur Singhal, President of the Foundation. “Earlier it used to be more abusive, but over the period it has changed its shape in terms of being unfair treatment at workplaces, being discriminatory at the public places.”

Organizers say the goal is to address anti-Black and brown racism in communities, and to forge systemic changes to promote more inclusive institutions, educational sectors, and community organizations.

“We continuously need to speak about it, create awareness about it, and join hands together to work together on this topic,” Singhal expressed.

According to statistics Canada over one in three people aged 15 years and older in the country have experienced some form of discrimination or unfair treatment. Experiences occurred in various settings from attending school, when applying for jobs, and within healthcare.

Guest speaker and trauma integration councillor Rosetta Sowkey advocates for more comprehensive healthcare when it comes to complex Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and racialized trauma.

“Clients come to me all the time for different types of trauma, sometimes ranging also into institutional trauma, things that they’ve experienced in the healthcare system. So its overcoming that and being able to access care from a place of safety,” she said.

Organizers say the event is a vital platform for community members, organizations, and decision-makers to unite in the fight against discrimination. Mayor of DDO Alex Bottausci echoed this by highlighting the events significance.

“I’ve always felt that education and dialogue conversation is at the crux of overcoming very difficult subjects [be it] racism, anti-racism, discriminations,” he said.

“There of are subjects that are very difficult to deal with but you must always begin with education.”

Singhal adds that he is seeing less racism incidents towards newcomers though clarifies that discrimination remains all across Montreal and Canada.

“The essence of Canada is based on the immigration. We need to be a bit, you know, strategic about what kind of immigration do we need,” He said.

“[But] at the same time, you know, the Canadians like me, myself, and immigrants — we do play an important role within the community, within the society.”

Organizers said they anticipate these forums to grow in the coming years and ask on Montrealers and West Islanders to become more vocal with local administrations on anti-racism incidents and discussions.

“Once we get to know each other, and that’s part of it, get to know each other, get to see how we are similar,” said Lee. [And yes] there are some differences, and we will work on those differences and not judge. When we know each other, we will get along better.”