Racial Justice in Vancouver
Racism is an issue that can no longer be ignored ─ not by organizations, leaders, or the people who live in our community.
We the City of Vancouver recognize the existence of systemic inequalities and structural racism, both in our country and our community, and these issues demand our engagement and attention.
We are committed to fighting against racism and working toward a more equitable and inclusive city.
We invite every member of our community to join us in this work. Share your personal experiences with racism, offer ideas about what the City can do to address racism in our community, or sign up to speak at a future remote listening sessions using the engagement tabs below.
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If you like an idea submitted by someone else, click the heart in the corner to show your support.
View All Ideasalmost 4 years ago
District Elections for City Council
The Charter Review Commission, composed of ordinary citizens, proposed this as the number one reform needed in our city. It is time for the city council to listen. By having elections by district, you increase the chance for minorities to be elected to the city council.
almost 4 years ago
Happy Juneteenth
The city should lead by example and make Juneteenth an official, paid holiday for city employees and encourage them to use the day to educate themselves, volunteer, donate and support local Black-owned businesses.
almost 3 years ago
“If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face—for ever.”
“TRUTH – It’s the New Hate Speech: “During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act” – George Orwell”
almost 4 years ago
We need from citizens more willingness to learn how to listen and speak in helpful ways about our understanding or confusion about racism.
As I've researched this latest phase of our country's racism problem, I'm reminded about how much misunderstanding, miscommunication, and ignorance there appears to be about our racist history, and our ongoing discriminatory practices that are deeply enculturated in widespread behavior patterns and systems of our shared life together. Owning up to the need for these skills of active listening, charitable understanding, and a willingness to keep learning new perspectives, seems like a big hurdle for many people. Why are we, as a society, so complacent? We need safe, yet truth-aiming, conversation spaces to talk about this confusion and misunderstanding. So many folks seem to be talking past each other, waiting their turn to speak (if they bother to wait at all)--instead of really trying to listen carefully and gain truthful understanding of perspectives different from their own. (Witness the "Gotcha Culture" of so much social media and our major broadcast news outlets. As long as this polarizing culture persists, it feeds on discord and suffocates genuine understanding or acknowledgments of the common ground we share.) These shortcomings are apparent across party lines, across ethnic and generational boundaries, or across other social categories by which we define ourselves. I don't see genuine, lasting progress happening without these basic skills more widely displayed among Americans. It should be what we're known for, part and parcel of our American character. Fair mindedness. Compassionate. Reflective. Truth seeking. Kind. Fierce allies of justice, never power mongering or petty. ...In short, we have a lot of personal, as well as policy work, ahead of us. And we need to make such a skill-focused, cross-cultural, virtue-building learning project a main priority--in schools, in our political processes, informally, in our shabby national media, wherever it's needed (and it's needed everywhere).
almost 4 years ago
Focus of change strategies
Community strategies to End Racism and support Racial healing Community Strategies to End Racism and Support Racial Healing: The PLACE MATTERS Approach to Promoting Racial Equity San Juan County, NM McKinley County, NM Bernalillo County, NM Doña Ana County, NM This report is a collaborative effort of the PLACE MATTERS teams, the National Collaborative for Health Equity, and CommonHealth ACTION Special thanks to the W.K. Kellogg Foundation for their generous support July 2015
