The events of the last few days have shaken us all. It should, for we cannot afford to be silent of complacent. George Floyd, another black life, was taken at the hands of law enforcement in Minneapolis. Not 48 hours later in Toronto, Regis Korchhinski-Paquet falls from the window of her apartment while 5 police officers were inside.
Protests have been loud and active throughout the United States and cities in Canada. The Mayor of Atlanta, Keisha Lance Bottoms, spoke out over protests that turned into a looting and violent night that tore apart businesses in the city, many owned by black business leaders. In her moving address, she talked about her anger and fear as a mother and how black boys should not be out today. How she hurt like a mother for George Floyd.
I identify deeply with her.
This is how it feels to be the mother of a black boy. It’s real. It’s scary and it’s not just a “US thing” and it’s not “all of us”, it’s black racism and black targeted abuse and black targeted murder. Black people, especially black boys, are targeted and feared. White people don't get shot because their tail light's out or for wearing a hoodie walking home from the gym, or going for a run in a white neighbourhood.
But EVERYONE of us should be outraged and standing up for our black brothers and sisters. and checking our own fears, and prejudices if all of us are ever going to be equal.
So as a mother, I am on a path to protect my son, and those who look like him. As a mother, I am going to bring others with me and we are going to rise up and demand change. As a mother, I will not lose my son because someone feared the colour of his skin enough to end him. As a mother, I will not stand by and watch other beautiful black lives end too soon, because they were regarded as a threat, something to be feared or event worse not worthy to live. As a mother I will call it out, I will name it, I will commit to change it. Will you?
Peggy Taillon Founder and President HERA Mission
www.heramission.org heramission@gmail.com 613-769-5499