The De Caire email controversy and seeing the ills of racism

Kojo "Easy" Damptey is a songwriter/music producer living in Hamilton who is interested in using art platforms to tell stories of marginalized peoples and communities.

Last week Hamilton police Chief Glenn De Caire endorsed an email with racist comments, and then we learned city councillor and police board chair Lloyd Ferguson stood by his side.

It is very troubling to see that men in leadership positions in our city don't have clear understanding how racism works in our society. The ills of racism span centuries, therefore, people who have benefited from institutional racism fail to see how racism permeates every aspect of our society today.

Both De Caire and Ferguson have never experienced racism, but as white men have experienced the privilege that comes with their identity. Their privilege is something they didn't ask for, but the "institution" gives it to them whether they like it or not.

What happens when you see the ills of racism?

I am not undermining or minimizing the hard work both men have put in to reach where they are. What I am saying is, as white men, they are benefactors of the "institution" and as such they are blind to the ills this "institution" creates.

If they were to see the ills, that would mean two things: One, they would be criticizing the "institution," the same institution that has been good to them; two, once you admit the "institution" has ills, you have to change it and that mean uncertainty whether one will lose privileges enjoyed from the old "institution." 

Chief De Caire signed off on what a lady said about black youth in our city. The comments in the email were racist, there is no doubt about it. So De Caire had two options, leave as is or use it as a thank you letter to show the "institution" is working.

Here we see how he failed to see the ill of the "institution." Instead, he chose to highlight the positive, based on his identity as a white man in implementing the "institution".

This is the problem most white people are faced with when they have to challenge racism. They feel it undermines the structure they are working for or believe in, due to the privileges they receive. 

Personal responsibility required

With respect to Coun. Ferguson, this is not the first time he has shown his lack of understanding of issues of race. I don't blame him, many of our leaders in society, be they councillors, mayors, MPPs, MPs, ministers, senators and prime ministers, have little experience on race as it relates to politics, economics, community building, identity, arts, culture, media etc.

Both men erred greatly and as men in leadership positions both should apologize publicly to the City of Hamilton, not just the black community, because this culture of racism needs to stop.

It can stop when white men in their roles take on a personal responsibility to not only learn what they don't know but to say "I am wrong and I apologize."

All city councillors, including the mayor, should be given training on race issues. There are community workers, professors and consultants who can help.

They should reach out to them and change the culture of racism in our city. The work is already being done at the grassroots level, it now needs to start at the top.