'Exclusion has a profound effect': Aurora councillor calls for mural highlighting BIPOC Canadians' triumphs

Nothing 'wrong' with existing wall that is full of white faces, Coun. Harold Kim says

Yorkregion.com
Nov. 9, 2020
Lisa Queen

The iconic mural on the southeast corner of Aurora’s central downtown intersection at Yonge and Wellington captures the images of Canadians renowned for their achievements.

Among others, there are astronauts Roberta Bondar and Marc Garneau, Man in Motion activist for people with disabilities Rick Hansen, the Group of Seven artists, basketball inventor Dr. James Naismith and Joseph-Armand Bombardier, inventor of the snowmobile.

Notice anything?

The wall, unveiled in 2001, is full of white faces.

While Coun. Harold Kim isn’t upset with the mural, he is asking that the town find space for a second wall to include depictions of accomplishments achieved by Canadians who are Black, Indigenous and people of colour (BIPOC).

“There is nothing ‘wrong’ with the current mural. It is a beautiful wall showcasing incredible people who have made an impact on Canadian society,” he said in an email, adding he wants the new wall to represent people of all backgrounds including Caucasians.

“It only needs to be updated with new people who, perhaps, were overlooked or not as significant at the time it was made. We need to move with the times.”

Kim said he noticed racialized groups had been left off of the existing mural but, like most residents, it wasn’t something he dwelt on.

But he was reminded of his concern after talking to a friend and decided it was time to do something about it.

“Exclusion has a profound effect. Over time, those who are excluded (unrepresented) begin to see themselves as ‘outsiders.’ It is not something that always hits people in the face immediately -- it is gradual, insidious,” he said.

“Their sense of identity and pride begins to erode over time. I know this from experience. This kind of ‘identity effacement’ has a lasting impact on emotional well-being that often also translates into how those individuals perform in society.”
Town staff will report back on details, including possible locations for the mural, in the new year. Kim anticipates the cost to be less than $10,000 and is seeking out individual and corporate sponsors.

The time is right for a new mural representing the achievements of members of BIPOC communities, Kim said.

“The need for diverse representation is not a new thing. It has been a concept oft-echoed in the halls of both the public and private sectors. Unfortunately, there has been a lag between pursuing principle and pursuing practice,” he said.

“Eventually, the neglect of putting principle into practice will come to a head, often in explosive ways. We are seeing that climax now around the world, especially in North America. I am putting forth this motion now in timely response to that climax. I only wish I had thought of this sooner.”

Nominations for the wall will come from residents and members of the Anti-Black/Anti-Racial-Discrimination Committee.

Kim is sure residents will support the new mural.

“I can’t think of any reason why seeing new, different faces on this wall should cause negative reactions,” he said.

“If anything, I hope that seeing new faces that we haven't seen before will prompt us all to get to know and appreciate the contributions of diverse Canadians.”