Photo by Darren Goldstein/DSG Photo.
Good morning folks
As we begin a rather sombre Canada Day, this is a good time to reflect on the kind of Canada we want for ourselves and our children. The events of the last few months should give all Canadians reason to pause and consider how to shape our collective future. Our Indigenous people are hurting and we at Black Ottawa Scene share their pain, with a resolve to intensify our goal of a Canada, where justice and fairness are there for one and all, and not just for a select and entitled few.
But we start this edition on a positive note. Justice Donald McLeod has been cleared (again!) of all charges of professional misconduct by the Ontario Judicial Council, our Top Story for July 2021. All we can say is: bravo to this iconic Black Canadian community leader and advocate! And to his detractors: time to leave well alone, or look elsewhere for other victims of your witch-hunt!
As we enter yet another phase of the Covid pandemic, we use this edition to salute those health care heroes who have been battling this deadly virus from the frontlines and keeping our community safe, at their own personal risk. And on the subject of the pandemic, we bring you news of the exoneration of a Black doctor who had been unjustly accused, in high places, of spreading the virus at the hospital where he worked.
The news of mass graves of indigenous children from the now disowned and disgraced residential schools has come as a shock to Canadians. These tragic discoveries have cruelly exposed the weak underbelly of the Canadian mosaic, a country we had hitherto come to view as an epitome of decency and civility, at least when compared to places like the USA. But not any more! Our loss of innocence has come at a price; now is time for reflection and refocus to bring this country to the space we would like it to be, where equity and equality become our hallmark. Guest columnists Ketcia Peters, Andy Kusi-Appiah and David Majok eloquently capture the anguish we feel on the historical oppression of Canada’s indigenous people.
Our volunteer reporters continue to do us proud with Olivia Barrett bringing us a webinar on Black Motherhood, while Vive Akugha fills readers in with her story about the services to Black seniors by Flo’s Seniors and Jaku Konbit. Newcomer Basirat Bashorum makes her debut with a report on the BlackNorth Initiative first anniversary webinar.
We also bring you reports of the Ottawa Police decision to discontinue the School Resource Officer program in all Ottawa schools, a topic that has been a subject of controversy over the past few years.
Here is the result of the June 2021 poll: Are you satisfied with the measures by the various levels of government in Canada to manage the Covid 19 pandemic? Yes 50% No 50% Thank you to all who voted. Remember to vote in the July poll: Were you surprised by the news of mass graves with hundreds of indigenous children from Canadian residential schools?
All these and more in the July 2021 edition of your favourite news magazine. Wishing you and your loved ones an enjoyable and Covid-free summer.
Godwin Ifedi Editor