| Re: Shooting death not product of racism, by Howard Posehn, Letters, November 6 - 12, 2003
It seems that any time visible minorities seek fairness and justice, there is an automatic accusation and silencing that occurs from the dominant society we live in.
Unlike the majority of Calgarians, I was at the press conference where the Sudanese community stated explicitly to the media the following: "We never stated that the shooting was racism as the media has implied – we just want to know what happened." The Sudanese community spokesmen stated that they want answers: Why do the Calgary police statements not match eyewitness statements? Why was the knife Deng Kuol was allegedly carrying not found until two hours after the shooting in a busy stairway? And why did the officer shoot to kill rather than injure?
There are many questions – unbiased answers are all the Sudanese community is looking for. Unbiased answers resulting from an independent inquiry is what we all deserve.
Mr. Posehn’s letter speaks to a larger societal problem when it comes to visible minorities. Unlike members of the dominant society, minorities are not allowed to ask questions and seek answers without the immediate shutdown from the other side and the belief that racism is being implied. With no statement from the Sudanese community, a newspaper headline the day after the shooting immediately screamed "shooting is not racism." Who said it was?
There are always questions and independent inquiries demanded of our public institutions. It seems, however, that visible minorities do not share this right. They have to accept "their sort" and be happy for whatever justice or injustice is bestowed upon them. Those who are having these thoughts should pause to reflect: Why do they immediately assume that visible minorities exercising their rights to receive answers, justice and fairness are accusing the dominant society and systems?
Zemeta Chefeke, RSW,
Calgary
Kudos to Howard Posehn for having the courage to say what many of us think, and to Fast Forward for having the courage to print it. Much too often we are afraid to express our opinions in public for fear of being labelled "racists" and "bigots" by the police of political correctness. Or when phone calls are made to the media and letters sent, they disappear into a black hole, never to be heard or read again, probably for the same fear.
And this is in a country that proclaims the freedom of speech!
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