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Letter to the Globe and Mail Re: Black belt teen strikes back at bully, and rallies community against racism

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May 1, 2009

VIA E-MAIL Letters@globeandmail.com

Letter to the Editor
The Globe and Mail
444 Front Street West
Toronto, Ontario M5V 2S9

400 voices got it right
I have watched with great interest – and hope – the events unfolding at Keswick High School in the past week. It was so refreshing to see 400 students rising together to tell their peers, their school, and their community, that racism and bullying are not welcome.

One of the best lessons we learned during our recent inquiry into assaults on Asian Canadian anglers was that it takes a whole community to stamp out racism and discrimination.

Acts of racism have not disappeared from our society. They can happen at any time, in any place. While it’s sad that we continue to battle the ugly effects of intolerance, it is heartening to see organizer Matthew Winch and his fellow students strongly stating that his community does not approve. This is an example of how communities need to work together to eradicate racism in our communities.

Speaking out against racism and discrimination often starts with one voice. And in Keswick this week we saw a 400-voice symphony of hope.

Yours truly,

Barbara Hall, B.A,
Chief Commissioner