In his latest column, SHIFTER’s Kevin Bourne says the Toronto Ugandan refugees crisis proves that Black people can only rely on themselves.
It’s been about two weeks since a group of Ugandan refugees descended on the streets of Toronto fleeing conflict and political instability in their home country. The group camped outside of the shelter registry on Peter Street to use the facilities and wait for placement in a shelter. Unfortunately, they were informed that due to a lack of federal funds they were unable to house them. As a result, they to continued living on the street in tents with no end in sight. The familiar, self-righteous cries of “We can’t help refugees; we need to help ourselves” were heard from some Toronto residents who apparently lack the empathy or experience of being from a refugee or immigrant family to relate to their plight.
The asylum seekers were provided a sense of relief earlier this week when a local church, Revivaltime Tabernacle, agreed to house the refugees temporarily. The church is currently looking for volunteers to help.
Pastor Judith James told the Toronto Sun, “I’m hurt and disappointed. This has bruised the faith of the faith community, the African community and the Black community. Our hope is the governments will hold conversations to find out what the needs are.”
James’ disappointment, and that of many in the Black community, isn’t unwarranted. While the Government of Canada has opened its borders to Black immigrants in the past, especially since the 1960’s, when it comes to refugees, those from Africa have failed to gain the same widespread support as those from countries like Syria and Ukraine who also faced war and political instability. According to the Canadian Council of Refugees, Canada’s processing of visas from Eastern and Central African countries is particularly slow and that African refugees are neglected by Canada’s immigration system.
Not only has Canada turned a blind eye to political issues and conflict taking place in some African countries, but governments all over the world have as well. There’s no sense of urgency on the part of governments to assist Africans’ need when they experience the same life threatening as other countries outside the gaze of the media.
Whether on an international level or locally here in Toronto, what this refugee crisis is telling us is that as a Black community we can only rely on ourselves. Despite the Black Lives Matter movement sweeping across the globe just three years ago, Canada and the world have been desensitized to the issues facing Black people everywhere. Meanwhile, our Prime Minister is using his platform to ask Taylor Swift to not forget Canada on her upcoming tour.
It’s time to get our priorities straight and prove that Black lives really matter.
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