'We want police culture to change': Newmarket African Caribbean Canadian Association chair calls for action

Police officers, students, residents and politicians gather for Black History Month flag raising

Yorkregion.com
Feb. 6, 2023
Lisa Queen

In the wake of cases of police violence against Black people, the chair of the Newmarket African Caribbean Canadian Association used the launch of Black History Month to call for change.

“It’s not that we don’t want police. It’s that we want police culture to change,” Jerisha Grant-Hall said moments before the Pan-African flag was raised Feb. 1 at Peace Park on Cane Parkway.

“We want police officers to see themselves in us. We want them to see our humanity. There needs to be healing of both mind and body. We need to become more comfortable with each other. We will remain in the hamster wheel, going around and around in circles, as long as we remain uncomfortable with each other. We are not looking for a perfect relationship, but we must have a relationship of understanding and mutual respect.”

York Regional Police officers were among several dozen people, including NACCA members, students from Pickering College, Mayor John Taylor, councillors, town staff and residents who gathered for the event.

It is important to recognize the many contributions Black residents have made to building our communities and Canada, Grant-Hall said.

“Many Newmarket residents are unaware that Black people have lived in this community since the 19th century and in Canada since the 17th century. We need this time that has been set aside to honour Black history so that we can arrive at a more accurate and truthful image of who we are as Newmarket residents and Canadians,” she said.

“We need a Black History Month so that Black children and youth can feel affirmed and connected since institutional racism continues to deny them dignity. In this moment, I want us to remember that we are interdependent, that our own humanity is dependent on us seeing the humanity in each other.”

As part of a campaign initiated by NACCA, the town is developing a two-year plan to implement more than 100 recommendations of the Newmarket Dismantling Anti-Black Racism Task Force.

The theme of this year’s Black History Month is the Black Family: Source of Perseverance and Resilience.

Grant-Hall shared a disturbing memory of bringing her children to the playground at Fairy Lake eight years ago, only to see other families leave when she arrived.

“Whenever I try to explain anti-Black racism, I feel like it’s always difficult for people to really understand. It’s a visceral feeling that attacks mostly the body. It attacks the muscles in the body. It attacks the cells, as well. You get anxiety, you get panic attacks,” she said.

“It’s the racial trauma.”

The breakdown of the Black community started with the breakdown of Black families during enslavement, Grant-Hall said.

However, the large turnout this week for the Black History Month flag raising is an indication of “real progress’ where we stand together in determination and purpose to build better communities for all, she said.

There is a combination of shame thinking of our history of racial discrimination and not failure in not doing enough to address problems but also pride that we are making progress, Taylor said.