To spread awareness for the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination this March, Prairie Skies Integration Network and its working group, MJ RADAR (Residents Against Discrimination and Racism) will be holding an expanded anti-racism rally.
The upcoming March 21 rally will be the second rally of this nature held in Moose Jaw, and is planned as a come-and-go event running from approximately 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
“This is a special day that we want to observe… at Prairie Skies, and in our working group (that we call) MJ RADAR,” explained Dalise Hector, the project manager for Prairie Skies Integration Network.
The occasion was also observed last year with a limited program and rally, but Hector said the organization is looking to expand into a whole-day event this year thanks to additional funding and community partnerships.
At last year’s inaugural rally, Hector said the organization catered around 60 guests, and the upcoming event has enough capacity for 140.
This year’s event will start with a morning keynote speaker in front of the Zion United Church followed by an outdoor rally. This speaker will be announced in the weeks to come.
According to Jide Kassim with Prairie Skies, the rally should take around 45 minutes to one hour total, and last year the group walked from the Multicultural Centre at 60 Athabasca Street West to Oxford Street and back. Hector noted that the rally is likely going to be restricted to Main Street North.
The group will then transition into an afternoon of community discussion with group facilitators on the topic of inclusion and anti-racism. This is a new feature, as last year’s initial rally simply involved a march and impromptu dance and quick discussion afterwards.
The need for a rally such as this comes from an honest look at human nature.
“The way that we are as human beings, we have limitations in the way that we process information,” Hector said. “We naturally do things like stereotyping or (hold prejudices).”
Prejudicial behaviour ranges from an intent to harm others all the way down to simply ignoring them.
“I think what’s really needed is a community of anti-racist people – people who are willing to acknowledge the biases that perhaps are natural to them…,” she added. This involves an awareness of the impact of one’s actions on others.
“As a group, we hope that the anti-racism rally can serve as a platform for people to express their solidarity with marginalized communities… and also work towards (creating) a more inclusive society,” Kassim explained.
Kassim said he hasn’t experienced a lot of racist encounters in Moose Jaw, but these do still occur.
“In my own little experience that I had… I just found a heap of refuse in front of my door one day… after we bought a house. I was so bothered about it…,” he said.
“(Is) it because of our skin colour that this was done…?” he asked, noting that he let the act slide. “In my mind, people just need to be educated. That’s it.”
He used to be a door-to-door sales consultant, and said he recognized an all-too-familiar expression on many people’s faces. “If people feel safe, maybe they’re going to have a change of heart.
“I just speak with them, calm them down, and they eventually end up inviting me into their house… So, it’s about people having that awareness and knowing that yeah, we’re all the same – we can look different… but we’re all human beings, and we’re all looking for ways to better our lives.”
He said meaningful social change should start with the authorities, who should prepare to host new arrivals and to educate the existing population for this addition to the community.
“They’re not coming to take your jobs, (and) they’re not coming to replace you – no. They’re coming to add to our lives; they’re coming to make things better for you, the community, and for themselves as well.”
If everyone had that understanding, the world would be a better place to live in, he said.
To participate, guests will meet in the social hall of Zion United Church, located at 432 Main Street North.
For more information about the Prairie Skies Integration Network, visit PSINetwork.ca or call 306-692-6892.
