Group voices emotions, opinions on shootings
Heartfelt stories shared at Black Lives Matter Waterloo Region’s first meeting
WATERLOO — A small group of people gathered in a peaceful community garden to talk about the shootings deaths of black men by police south of the border.
“The reason we did this was to create a space for people impacted by the shootings to voice emotions and opinions,” said Fanis Juma Radstake, who organized the meeting in Waterloo on Friday night.
Alton Sterling and Philando Castle were both fatally shot by police in the United States earlier this month, sparking outrage and Black Lives Matter protests across the country.
“People want to express solidarity in a safe and welcoming environment,” Juma Radstake explained.
“Some of the things, like income gaps, may not be everyone’s experience here,” she added, noting that only two per cent of the region’s population identifies as black.
“But the emotions you are carrying are important.”
The new Black Lives Matter Waterloo Region group had been exclusively online until its first gathering on Friday.
The group of about 20 people — from students, to members of the local Caribbean association to professors — sat in a circle and shared experiences.
Enoch Noel came to Canada eight years ago from a refugee camp in Uganda.
The 29-year-old man shared a story of being questioned by police while he was doing his job as an inspector for Zehrs late one night.
“He followed me and asked me what I was doing there,” Noel said. “I said I was just doing my job.”
Noel said the officer searched the trunk of his car.
“There is nothing wrong with stopping a black person, that’s OK, but it’s the way it’s done,” Noel told the group. “At the end I was so angry, that’s when I realized no matter how much I contribute to this society, I am seen as a black man.”
People who didn’t even know each other shared intimate stories about discrimination.
They talked about how relationships with the wider community, including law enforcement, could be improved.
They discussed why it’s important for young black people to stand up for themselves.
“I struggle with the fact that our community has not helped each other out,” Lannois Carroll-Woolery said.
“One of the things we can do that we are not doing is scholarships for students to go to university,” he added, while also noting the Caribbean Canadian Association of Waterloo Region’s annual scholarship program.
“We have to see the value in community building.”
Tamon Scarlett spoke of her experiences being a part of Black Lives Matter Toronto.
The local resident has made frequent trips to be a part of the movement.
“Protest is meant to disrupt,” she said.
“No matter how small a group, you can stop and acknowledge that this is somebody’s life, and that matters.”