In his text entitled “‘Exclusive’ Evenings”, columnist Mario Girard wrote about the members of the organization that I co-founded, the Association of Quebecers United Against Racialism (AQUR), “whom we must take its equal gas” before asserting that theatrical evenings reserved for “Blacks” are a new form of “racial segregation”. As a black-skinned person, I persist and sign: I will never accept that my society be divided into “Blacks” and “Whites”.
Unlike Mr. Girard, who seems to enjoy certain privileges that I may not have, I will take no step back from this new practice of safe spaces. I will continue to cry foul in the face of this kind of initiative which undermines living together, which divides my fellow citizens and which is repugnant to many black-skinned people.
For while some seem comfortable locking themselves in an echo chamber with those they consider to be their fellow human beings because they share the same skin color, this is certainly not the case for “all of us”. others”, as we say in our country.
I can assure you, Mr. Girard, that many of us shun this kind of activity, because what we want above all is to live in harmony with our fellow citizens, whatever their skin color.
The “black” people that I represent are those who are tired of hearing in the public space a discourse that does not correspond to their reality. These are people who want to stand up against this racial segregation that is infiltrating everywhere, even in our workspaces, where some employers dare to suggest that we join together to heal our wounds. We’re not always sick, sir.
I’m going to reveal an open secret: not all “blacks” think the same way. Yes, there are some who will feel in danger in a safe space because diversity of opinion is important to them.
Do you know what a person like me risks by showing up in these kinds of spaces? To be called a traitor, a “coon” or a “house negress”. Because yes, sir, these are the insults that some “black” progressives hurl at me on occasion because, according to them, I am not on the right side of history.
In your text, you say that “it’s easy to say, when you’ve always been part of a majority group, that these evenings are reverse racism”. However, I have black skin and I hammer you that these evenings are indeed reverse racism. My desire, and that of those I represent, is to associate with my society.
Racial segregation with American sauce, we do not want it here. Hasn’t history taught us that separating peoples by the color of their skin is an abomination?
You ask us this question: “Why get on your high horse when Black Out or PANDC evenings are scheduled in theaters? »
Because we will not defeat racism by creating a new form of racism! Because that’s not the world we want to bequeath to our children! Because we don’t want to go back to a bygone era! Because we want to move forward hand in hand with all our fellow citizens!
Also know, sir, that having black skin in this modern era does not prevent us from blending in with the mass of “whites” around us. Because do you know what unites us? A common citizenship, a common language, common values, common cultural references. Yes, sir, whether we are “Blacks”, “Whites” or of any origin, our belonging to our Quebec makes us brothers and sisters.
I wander the streets of my city without the slightest discomfort because I am surrounded by my family. And this fraternity, which I observe in particular within my organization which brings together Quebecers from all walks of life, I will do everything in my power, sir, to protect it.