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LETTER: Don’t make deaths racist

To the editor: The recent homicide was such a tragedy. My condolences to the family and friends and the First Nations of those involved. For many of us who know and work with people who cannot care for themselves this is heartbreaking.

To the editor:

The recent homicide was such a tragedy. My condolences to the family and friends and the First Nations of those involved. For many of us who know and work with people who cannot care for themselves this is heartbreaking.

If the racists out there are thinking about turning this into another opportunity to share their ignorance then please think about how you are only showing everyone how stone cold your heart is.

Thunder Bay citizens must remember that there are reasons behind this type of incident. Reasons that make people unable to care for themselves or others.

As citizens we have some collective power to help make this better. I ask you to look to the compassionate side of yourselves and not feed the ugly in you.

Racism is pure ignorance and helps no one. It just makes a sad situation even worse.

The issues around such a tragedy are not isolated to a physical location within the city as people can and will relocate.

We cannot deforest every area that becomes a hang-out and consider the problem solved. The issues have historic roots in racism and economics and in the individual's life experience.

There are many people with emotional, mental health and addiction problems.

People with financial independence can provide and support their family members. Most (of all races), with the right supports are semi-functioning within the city right now.

The city as a whole may need to come up with a special strategy that identifies and targets the extreme cases.

This is a challenge for the city and social justice organizations that are working together to create a better environment for those affected. Thunder Bay may need to think outside the box and create a unique solution. Let’s put us on the map for that.

 

Sandra Brown,
Thunder Bay

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