DAS ANTI-RACISM NEWSLETTER (DARN) June 2020

Academic Studies

1. The coronavirus reveals the necessity of Canada’s migrant workers May 12, 2020 Bethany Hastie. Assistant Professor, Law, University of British Columbia

2. Data linking race and health predicts new COVID-19 hotspots May 20, 2020 Kate Choi Associate Professor, Sociology, Western University, Anna Zajacova Associate Professor, Sociology, Western University, Michael Haan Associate Professor and Canada Research Chair in Migration and Ethnic Relations, Western University, Patrick Denice, Assistant professor of Sociology, Western University

3. Coronavirus is not the great equalizer — race matters April 6, 2020 Roberta K. Timothy Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream, Social and Behavioural Health Science, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, UofT.

4. We are all niqabis now: Coronavirus masks reveal hypocrisy of face covering bans April 27, 2020 Katherine Bullock Lecturer in Islamic Politics, UofT.

Day for cultural diversity

Leela Sharon Aheer, Minister of Culture, Multiculturalism and Status of Women, issued the following statement on World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development:

“Today, our government reaffirms our commitment to supporting a diverse and multicultural Alberta."

“We know that living in a diverse community makes us more engaged, innovative and connected to the world around us. The wealth of perspectives and experiences of the people we live and work with helps us grow and adapt to the changing world."

“Our government is proud to have a caucus that reflects the diversity of our province. Between us, we speak more than 13 different languages. Our range of cultural backgrounds helps us work together to serve and communicate with the people of Alberta."

“Today, I encourage all Albertans to reflect on how our diversity makes our communities and our province stronger. Learning about each other helps build a resilient and compassionate province that welcomes all people, reflecting our true Albertan values that we share.”

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High Spirit in High River

Ymor

Filipino workers at Cargill Meat Plant in High River, Alberta were devastated and humiliated. Dozens of them were tested positive for Covid19. The plant was closed for days.

One of the coping mechanisms in time of isolation for Mel’s family was his pigeon racing stock.

However, last year’s complaint from the neighbor hounded the family. A by-law officer asked Mel to get rid of the birds. Bird cages were dismantled. He drove the birds up to Edmonton and let them go. Meters away from the house late in the afternoon from long drive, he was surprised to see the birds waiting on top of the roof. Neighbors’ eyes were seething.

Days later came another visit from by-law officer. He was told not to feed the birds. It was heartbreaking directive. By-law enforcers are mandated to only seize astray animals—excluding pigeons.

Mel’s heart broken. With Covid19 around, birds waiting for him outside for attention and food, and inconsiderate neighbor were like albatross hanging in his neck. It was like a flood of 2013 feeling. Helpless, hopeless, and desperate.

Where is reason, humanity, and goodwill between and among neighbors and even by-law officer? He asked.

Work resumed at the plant. Workers felt some relief. Mel missed his avian friends. Neighbor seemed looking for something to report to by-law officer. Covid still lurking around.

An agonizing, nauseating and irritating experience, indeed. However, human spirit is resilient, creative, strong and persistence. Hang on there, Mel! Your neighbor’s badge remains the same – grumpy and gloomy. Your birds will survive. Everything will be fine.

Covid will come to pass! High River remains in High Spirit!

In the news….

1. Trudeau wades in on racial unrest in U.S., says anti-black racism is also a Canadian problem. May 29, 2020 National Post

2. 'I’m just like you': Edmonton woman says she has been a victim of racism during pandemic May 23, 2020 CTV News Edmonton

3. New campaign urges Canadians to speak up amid surge in anti-Asian racism. May 22, 2020 Global News

4. Anti-Asian hate crimes: 29 cases in Vancouver so far this year, compared to 4 last year. May 22, 2020 Global News

5. Racism Is on the Rise. And Asian Canadians are Fighting Back.

May 22, 2020. TheTyee.ca

6. US to cancel visas for thousands of Chinese grad students with ties to Chinese military schools: report. May 28, 2020 Fox News

7. ‘Completely ridiculous’: Alleged racist attack on 15-year-old boy caught on camera. May 23, 2020 CTV News Saskatoon

8. Woman arrested for writing racist letters asking Asian Americans to leave. May 24, 2020 New York Post

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How to argue with a racist: Five myths debunked

March 16, 2020 BBC

Stereotypes and myths about race abound, but this does not make them true. Often, these are not even expressed by overt racists.

For many well-intentioned people, experience and cultural history has steered them towards views that aren't supported by human genetics. For example: the assumption that East Asian students are inherently better at math, black people have natural rhythm, or Jews are good with money. Many of us know someone who thinks along these lines.

Dr Adam Rutherford, a geneticist and BBC presenter, says "Racism is being expressed in public more openly today than at any time I can recall, and it's our duty to contest it with facts."

Here's how to debunk five racist myths with science and facts.

MYTH 1:

The DNA of white and black people is completely different

The primary pigment in human skin is melanin. It's used to protect us from the sun.

It absorbs the sun's ultra violet rays before they can destroy folate, one of the body's key vitamins.

Many genes are involved in the biochemical pathways that result in melanin production. Natural variation within these genes is the root cause of the spectrum of skin tones that humans have.

So, the biggest genetic difference within the human race is between white people and black people, right? Wrong.

Firstly, all humans share almost all the same DNA - a fact that betrays all of our recent origins from Africa.

Secondly, there is more genetic diversity on the continent of Africa than in the rest of the world put together.

Two people from different tribes in Southern Africa will be more genetically different from each other than a Sri Lankan, a Māori and a Russian.

We might categorize people as white, black or brown, but these visual variations don't accurately reflect the genetic differences - or rather similarities - between us.

MYTH 2: There is such a thing as 'racial purity' (July issue)

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Extra!!!! Covid19 Info...

What is the difference between a pandemic, an epidemic, endemic, and an outbreak? Intermountain Healthcare Apr 2, 2020

Not all infectious disease terms are created equal, though often they’re mistakenly used interchangeably. The distinction between the words “pandemic,” “epidemic,” and “endemic” is regularly blurred, even by medical experts. This is because the definition of each term is fluid and changes as diseases become prevalent over time.

While conversational use of these words might not require precise definitions, knowing the difference is important to help you better understand public health news and appropriate public health responses.

Let’s start with basic definitions:

AN EPIDEMIC is a disease that affects a large number of people within a community, population, or region.

A PANDEMIC is an epidemic that’s spread over multiple countries or continents.

ENDEMIC is something that belongs to a particular people or country.

AN OUTBREAK is a greater-than-anticipated increase in the number of endemic cases. It can also be a single case in a new area. If it’s not quickly controlled, an outbreak can become an epidemic.

If you encounter racism please contact:

(403) 297-6571 (Alberta Human Rights Commission)

Acknowledgment: This e-newsletter is made possible by the

AB Government Anti-Racism Grant

Published by: Diaryo Alberta Society | 587 973 7191 / 403 816 7983

diaryoalbertasociety@gmail.com

To subscribe (free) digital edition of Diaryo Alberta Newspaper,

ALLBertans Magazine and DARN go to www.diaryoalbertasociety.com

Back issues of Diaryo Alberta available at ISSUU/Diaryo Alberta.

All photos/images by DAS/Ymor

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