Vaughan-Woodbridge MPP Tibollo should be applauded for his dedication

Yorkregion.com
August 7, 2018

Re: Vaughan-Woodbridge MPP Michael Tibollo should wear bulletproof vest in Vaughan, July 19.

A dictionary definition of “racism” is “a person who believes in racism, the doctrine that one’s own racial group is superior or that a particular racial group is inferior to other’s.”  Without argument our society can and should reject, or otherwise condemn any act, expression, or practice in which someone is marginalized or treated as “inferior” based on “racial” identification.

Regrettably, in our society, prejudice or self-interest exists to such an extent some advance or promote any difference as “racist.”  Calling someone “racist” is an easy and flippant comment used by some or  others to sanitize history or events with identifiable communities.

Let's review Michael Tibollo, MPP Vaughan/Woodbridge -- his open and frank statement -- limited to his disclosure of where he was, and what he was wearing only. “Personally, I went out to Jane and Finch, put on a bulletproof vest and spent 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. in the morning visiting sites that had previously had bullet ridden people killed in the middle of the night.” His comment and conduct did not identify any racial group as supported by a demographic examination showing there are various racial, marginalized and stigmatized groups in the diverse and economically hurting neighbourhood.  He is not a “racist.”

More importantly, we have a Minister responsible for community safety, prepared to see first-hand the challenges we face with safety and gun violence throughout the GTA. The minister went to “ride along” with police, to see first-hand the issue and how it affected residents, accepted the normal and typical advice used by the police in requesting civilians wear a vest; and, in doing so, met residents, saw and witnessed the challenge of our society, so we are much closer to address or correct the required policing but also needed systemic opportunity and economic improvements.

In the past, as a Vaughan councillor and founder of the Safe City Committee, I rode in a police cruiser in Woodbridge. I was asked to put on a vest, and respected the advice of the police and did so. I considered this to be no different from putting on a seat-belt in a car or life-jacket when on a boat. In return, I witnessed and better understood the challenges of our first responders and what  residents wanted.

“Racism” is a state of mind and conduct. To identify the wearing of a “vest” as “racist” is nothing short of political correctness to sanitize the reality of our society, and prejudice by those making the allegation. 

We should applaud MPP Tibollo, for his commitment and await the programs and policies needed to address community safety.  And, these policies and programs serve to assist all groups regardless of race, creed, colour, or sexual orientation -- free from “racism” or prejudice.