University of Winnipeg public forum explores ways to fight racism
A controversial Maclean's magazine article that proclaimed Winnipeg as Canada's most racist city was the focus of a public forum on Monday about ways to combat racism.
The University of Winnipeg hosted the forum in response to the article, which was published in January and sparked intense public debate in the city about systemic racism.
Among those on the panel were Nancy Macdonald, who wrote the article in question, along with aboriginal faculty members and others in the university community.
Wab Kinew, the university's associate vice-president of indigenous affairs, says people need to take a proactive stance on fighting racism.
"People who are interested in working together and trying to make our city a better place, not just complain about, 'Oh, this is the racism capital of Canada' but, you know, rather answer the question [of] what could we do to fight racism, what can we do to make sure that Winnipeg is good place for everyone to live in," he said.
The Maclean's article prompted Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman to ask people to submit their own ideas on how to eliminate racism in the city.
"There's also been a lot of people, and young people in particular, trying to find ways to combat racism in this city, so I think the event here is a good chance to hear from those perspectives and figure out how we could work together to make this city a better place," Kinew said.
Last month, Bowman named Kinew as head of the city's new Indigenous Advisory Circle and announced a partnership with the Canadian Museum for Human Rights to hold a national anti-racism summit this fall.
