Teens’ racist video hits close to home

We can’t brush this off as just a case of two girls who don’t know any better

This week, a disgusting video surfaced of two teenage girls from the West Island dancing in blackface while rapping racist, discriminatory and deplorable lyrics. Truth be told, I could not stomach watching more than 15 seconds, which was more than enough.

As the video made its way through social media networks, one could read all sorts of comments: “How could this be?” “I’m sure it was a mistake.” “I’m sure they did not mean any harm.” “These are great girls.” “This must have been a terrible joke gone bad.”

The reality is, none of this matters. I frankly could not care less about their intent. I am not saying these two teenage girls are horrible people, but I am saying what they did is awful and inexcusable.

This hits very close to home for me. These girls live on the West Island, which is my neck of the woods, and the high school they attend is not too far from my house. My children are around their age, and no matter how you slice it, that video touched so many nerves.

It triggered memories of what I experienced growing up in the West Island. I was considered the Black girl on my school bus. I was taunted for the colour of my skin, asked if I ate curry all day and called the P-word all the time. (Yes, I’m of Pakistani/indian heritage, and proud of it.) It hurt so badly, and it took me years to take the pain I experienced from being tormented and

There is no excuse for abhorrent, repulsive and racist behaviour.

allow it to shape me into the woman I am today. No child should have to experience that.

There has been a lot of talk about what sort of consequences these girls should face. Some are calling for their expulsion. Some have suggested mandatory sensitivity training, along with community service hours within the Black community. I think that is an excellent idea.

Schools are not doing enough to teach children about the history of Black and Indigenous peoples, among others. There are ample guest speakers available to visit schools. Educators and administrators should proactively line up these speakers for the next school year.

We cannot allow incidents like this to repeat themselves. We need to encourage learning about different cultures and traditions, and expose children to people who do not look like them.

I have sat on governing boards and home and school committees at my children’s schools. Every year, I would bring up hosting a multicultural day for students to research and present cultures and traditions from around the world. I would see uncomfortable shifting in seats. Some of those present would avoid making eye contact. Suffice it to say, this suggestion was never implemented.

I was shocked to hear that the school these girls attend is among those on the Overture with the Arts Black History Month tour. Akilah and Omari Newton, a brother and sister duo, embark on a cross-canada speaking tour every February. These students learn about Black History Month every February; clearly, that is not enough.

Community activists like Malik Shaheed host educational events at local schools through his organization, Youth Stars. There are ample options for schools wishing to learn about the Black community, unlearn what they thought they knew and educate the next generation.

There is no excuse for abhorrent, repulsive and racist behaviour. That this video has surfaced this week, in the wake of George Floyd’s killing by Minneapolis police and the worldwide rallies in support of Black Lives Matter, leaves me speechless. Brushing the whole thing off as two girls simply not knowing better is part of the systemic problem that allows this type of behaviour to flourish.