Words aren’t enough to end racism

Photography by Gabriel Ramos

Written by the London Community Foundation

Over the past several months we have seen the harmful effects of systemic racism. We have also witnessed the incredible power of unity when we stand up for something we all believe in.

Racism is abhorrent and LCF stands in solidarity with the BIPOC community here in London and across Canada. 

The Black Lives Matter movement and efforts to support the BIPOC community during this time of disruption demonstrate that, together, we have the power to create the change we all want to see.

Although the London many of us know is welcoming, caring, generous and kind, this is not everyone’s experience. London has its own history of racism with scars and open wounds that we continue to face even to this present day. It’s certainly not the reality that we want to see but it’s the truth that many confront every day.

The poverty rates for our Indigenous and newcomer communities is alarming with 36% of our Indigenous community and 55% of newcomers living below the poverty line in London. This is unacceptable. We can do better as a community.

COVID-19 has further exposed the deeply entrenched inequities embedded within our system with our Indigenous and racialized communities disproportionately affected by the virus. Furthermore, it has left these communities even more vulnerable by the socioeconomic impacts of the pandemic such as lost income, lost employment, or food insecurity.

It is clear that systemic racism shows up in many ways, and is rooted in inequitable distributions of power and enabled by privilege, oppression, and silence. On a social level, it’s embedded in our institutions and public policies and on an individual level in our actions, behaviours, micro-aggressions and unconscious biases. 

Though it can be an uncomfortable process, we must commit to educating ourselves and actively participating in efforts to create change. It is our role as philanthropists to shift power and create spaces for voices and leaders in the BIPOC community to rise up and together, create the change that is so desperately needed.

That’s why LCF has collectively begun its own journey of learning about racial inequalities and injustices and exploring how as a Foundation, we can take concrete actions to contribute to this movement. We are committed to being better allies  – listening, learning and taking purposeful action. We will continue to work relentlessly to create a strong, vibrant, inclusive community where everyone belongs.

We have a lot of work to do and in this moment, we all have a choice to make. Silence and neutrality are not options. Take action – be part of the change.