Racial justice starts right here

We are the people of God and we want to believe we’re way beyond issues like a lack of equal representation, racial inequity in decision-making or concerns of basic cultural safety. Yet we all know that our diocesan structure was built on the foundations of colonization, and thus, the idea of unequivocal racial harmony is false. For example, at a recent gathering of Synod, candidates were called forward for election to one of our most powerful diocesan decision-making groups, and of 32 candidates, 30 were White. In a diocese as richly diverse as ours, this is an alarming lack of representation. Many stories have arisen from Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC) members of our community who didn’t apply for positions of power, simply because of the colour of their skin. Folks, this doesn’t mean that White people are bad, but blind spots can be enormous. We cannot assume that the experience of our White members is the same experience for our BIPOC members, and it is way past time to wake up to that fact.

The Bishop’s Committee on Intercultural Ministry reports to Bishop Andrew Asbil with a renewed mandate to take action that will bring our diocese to new horizons in racial equality. We’ve worked hard to ensure that our committee membership reflects the wide diversity of our diocese, and we continually seek new representation. We’ve taken a deep dive into the experiences of our members and clergy, and we’ve helped create and test material for training in anti-racism; worked with congregations of many ethnic origins; produced a module on anti-racism for Momentum training; given presentations and workshops at the parish level; offered support at the scene of a hate crime (committed at a Toronto parish); and we continue to consult with the College of Bishops in their desire to ensure that the diocesan reality reflects our press releases.

And there’s excellent news! We’re happy to report some giant strides forward. Along with the Anti-Black Anti-Racism (ABAR) Pod group, we submitted a petition to the College of Bishops and executive staff requesting urgent action on three major issues:

1. That the diocese hire a full-time, qualified Diversity, Equity and Inclusion staff member. This will be a person skilled in working with issues of anti-racism, human rights and equality, to ensure that we comply with government regulations and to establish protocol for dealing with issues that arise within our diocese.
2. To launch an on-going mandatory anti-racism training program for staff, clergy and lay workers similar to our Sexual Misconduct Policy program, ensuring awareness of racial justice issues from the hierarchy to the grass roots level of our diocese.
3. To begin collecting race-based data that would hold us accountable in crucial matters of equity such as recruitment, employment opportunities and remuneration (something that many corporations in Canada have had in place for some time) to protect our members and to ensure equitable treatment.

We’re delighted and grateful to tell you that these three requests were taken seriously by the diocese and are now in process. First, the diocese has published a job description for the full-time position requested, and it’s now in the process of hiring. Second, the on-going mandatory anti-racism training is included in the new hire’s job description. Third, the collection and disaggregation of race-based data is listed under the major responsibilities of the new full-time staff member.

The arc of justice can be long and slow indeed, but it does bend towards justice.

In the December 2024 issue of the Anglican Journal, journalist Sean Frankling wrote an article titled “Primate’s commission calls Church to dismantle racism, boost diversity at meetings.” The hope is to address the racism and colonization built into our governance and remove logistical barriers that keep many of our members from taking part at the General Synod level. Bishop Peter Fenty responded, “Do we acknowledge the reality of systemic racism in our own dioceses? Until that work is done, it seems to me that [General Synod] is engaging in futile work.” Our committee heartily agrees with Bishop Fenty’s assessment that the work must begin at the local level in each diocese. Your feeling welcome and safe doesn’t guarantee the same for your neighbour.

Friends, Jesus dismantled our barriers, insisting that everyone belongs. Everyone. Yes, racial justice starts right here with you and me.

Andre Lyn, ODT and Donna Scantlebury are the co-chairs of the Bishop’s Committee on Intercultural Ministry. For more information, email [email protected].