The event with Refuge was really fantastic on June 29th!
More than 80 newcomers came – several community services and groups presented on various topics, people shared a meal and then came to the room where we (EN & Refuge volunteers) had set up clothing, shoes, bags, toiletries, kitchenware and linens.
People came in in small groups at a time and could choose whatever they selected. We had an abundance of clothing, more so women’s clothing. I think it was a good focus to spend the money EN folks donated on toiletries, and would recommend that for future such events as well.
Thank you to all who donated items, money and time. It’s a critical way to support the essential work Refuge is doing and a community of newcomers in Hamilton.
Four Years of Data and What Has Been Done? Hamilton Police are harmful, divisive and performative in their response to Anti-Black Hate
Black people are the most common victims of hate in Hamilton, while also being the most over-represented group of people when it comes to police's use of force — again. https://t.co/0nk2MuZn5Y#HamOnt
On Thursday June 27, 2024, Community Researcher Kojo Damptey delegated twice to the Hamilton Police Services Board (HPS). First was his deeply informative presentation in response to multi-year data demonstrating disproportionate police presence, use of force and over-policing of Black communities. Mr Damptey’s presentations start at 31:15. We encourage you to watch in its entirety including the time allotted for questions after. https://pub-hpsb.escribemeetings.com/Players/ISIStandAlonePlayer.aspx?Id=80455de2-9598-4862-9dac-41d8f37d8615
Mr. Damptey also delegated about problems with, and harm caused by HPS’s Hate Crimes Review Team process. We want to lift up Kojo Damptey’s work and we have added some of our own commentary. It’s crucial that the public engage with Mr. Damptey’s analysis and keep this data and the lack of any meaningful action by HPS in our awareness so we can take appropriate action.
K. Damptey started by setting the context, explaining that the federal government called for data to be collected across the country. “Yes, our police services are collecting data but sometimes there’s issues with the data…Sometimes it’s vague and we get the reports from the interpretation of the police officers and their supervisors…On the solicitor general’s website, there are some fields that are not filled”.
The challenge before the HPS Board, is “….the historical reluctance of the police or government to impart change unless in response to either a critical incident (the crosswalk syndrome) or the demands of vociferous interest groups makes it difficult to abandon the status quo.”
Beyond a split-second: An Exploratory Study of Police use of Force and Use of Force training in Canada” Kojo Damptey. Page 4 of Use Of Force Data Analysis
K. Damptey’s analysis renders undeniable the patterns and problem of overrepresentation and overpolicing. Why are there so many officers present and interacting with Black residents, so disproportionately? See graph 2021. “Use of force and presence is always overrepresented”
“The Black population in Hamilton is less than 30,000. If there is an interaction of 1% or less than 1% of our population and Black community members are overrepresented in that one per cent, we have a problem.”
Hamilton Police Services has an anti-Black Racism problem.
Mr Damptey asked, “If 80% of use of force interactions are reactions to calls, When we get the call are we actually thinking about what is provoking the call?…
…We ‘ve been told that there’s a community advisory panel, there’s a race identity based data strategy. I would say those are not silver bullets so as a board the question becomes what are you going to do about this data that keeps coming up?”
Mr Damptey shared an incident from 2023 to take us from the data to the personal. “It was a call, a parent dropping off their child at school, observed an individual holding what they believed to be a firearm and the parent advised school staff and the police were called.
Based on the description provided, two individuals who matched the description were detained at gunpoint. No firearms were located. Both individuals were released unconditionally…
…Again, that was a Black community member…
…I really think as a board, as a police service, there needs to be an action item addressing the first two quadrants. And thus far, I don’t think that is being done.” The two quadrants Mr. Damptey is referring to are under the heading INTERNAL- within the police service and are Officer Bias and Institutionaland Cultural Practices.
Next, Mr Damptey delegated about HPS’s Hate Crime’s Review Team (HCRT) K. Damptey has been part of this process since 2020, 2021 and expressed concern about what happened 2 weeks prior to this board meeting.
He recounted, “We were presented with a model where a review team will be made of 2 members of different demographics that are impacted by hate in our community here. We were asked to vote for specific groups of people in our community and prior to that voting being announced, some of us said this process is not a process that is inclusive. It’s not a process that respects different perspectives in different communities…
…There are members of the Black community that are queer, there are members of the Black community that are Jewish, we have members that are Indigenous and Black…
“I think the process for this hate crime review team is really challenging and I would say it’s also causing harm in certain communities. And if HPS is really about trust, building relationships, community building, it’s gonna be difficult because the process of the hate crime review team has really, really, really impacted certain people in different communities and it’s creating some dysfunction here in Hamilton.”
Citizen Board Member Dr. Anjali Menezes framed a question for Dr. Rahim Salmi, who is Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Specialist for HPS. “My understanding of Kojo’s concerns, if i’m correct, is the concept of applying an equality lens to the selection committee versus an equity lens, understanding intersectionality of identities and how we put that together… with a knowledge of how we put that together through community partnerships and dialogues about who should be on a HCRT, that our (HPS’s) structural and historical practices have historically and continue to pitted communities against each other.”
The chair repeatedly interrupted Dr. Menezes, tried to control an important question and to silence the only racialized member of the board.
DIVISION HAS ALWAYS BEEN A TACTIC TO DESTABILIZE ANY OPPORTUNITY FOR SYSTEMIC CHANGE!
Since the chair would not allow the question to be posed to Dr.Salmi, Mr Damptey answered, “If you are asking an applicant about intersectionality and the process to choose the applicant is not intersectional, then we have a problem. That’s what our concern is.”
THE LACK OF HOW TO PROPERLY REQUEST DATA NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BEFORE COMMUNITIES CAN EVEN BEGIN TO TRUST HPS.
The Chief of Police actually called the HCRT process one of “rigor”. You can’t make this stuff up.
Esther Pauls, a city councilor and board member, who’s son is a police officer, stated, “I did not know we had a separate team, a hate crime team”. Pauls went on to completely mischaracterize the case Mr. Damptey shared and in a surreal turn said that Damptey is trying to “impose” on the police and heavily implied that his points are not valid because he hasn’t taken the police officer course. Pauls ended her rant exclaiming that “It’s scary” for the police.
Esther Pauls, how dare you tell Black leaders advocating for their rights that they are “imposing”? If there was any true accountability, Pauls would be removed from this board and any institutional discussion about policing. She’s a walking thin blue line. Esther Pauls- Go. Away. Leave.
How in any universe, is a person allowed to be on the Police Services Board who demonstrates so much OVERT, UNAPOLOGETIC disregard, WHITEGRIEVANCEAND IGNORANCE for and about communities. Pauls is also clearly negligent, eg. fails to read reports.
Kojo Damptey answered, “What I do know is that when there’s data and when we analyze it , it tells us stuff. This study was done with police officers that carry out their training and this is one of the things they said in the report. Don’t take it from me, If you read the report you’ll get some more input about that.”
Dr. Menezes noted the difference between the data shared with Hamilton community and Board members and that which Mr Damptey has presented. What differs in terms of accessibility and why Mr. Damptey chose to present it as he did?
Mr Damptey explained that the data for his analysis was from the solicitor general’s website. It included much more detail and Mr. Damptey has made this available to the community.
Ontario use of force data is in the link below.
If Black/Racialized residents are over represented in Use of Force data, what is @ONsafety doing to address this?
— Kojo Easy Damptey (@EasyThePianoMan) June 27, 2024
Equity Network’s position is that HPS Board Treatment of Black and racialized board and community members is patronizing, dehumanizing, violent and we are beyond sick of it. We are extremely grateful for Mr. Damptey’s analysis and delegations.
What WE find scary is the audacity of a group of white men thinking they have any idea how to address systemic racism that has been deeply embedded for generations in this city. They are not the experts.
Hamilton Police, talk less, seek the expertise of those harmed and that have the lived experience and knowledge to address this harmful oppression. What we are seeing is merely performative bullshit. HPS does not appear to address systemic racism in good faith. We do not trust any initiatives coming out of policing based on the data and their actions thus far.
Equity Network continues to stand in solidarity with the Palestinian Movement for total liberation. In response to McMaster University’s proposed agreement to be held accountable, we offer the following additions, clarifications and reflections:
“McMaster’s International Strategy Advisory Committee (ISAC) will develop a framework for human rights considerations in international agreements. The first Committee meeting to discuss this issue is to occur before the end of May. A working group comprised of ISAC members and a member of the MSU and GSA will develop the framework beginning in the fall 2024. Student members of the working group will be selected by the chair of ISAC and from nominations made by the respective student union Presidents. Nominees will be selected based on their education and experience (1) .”
“Develop a framework”, “Advisory Committee”, “Committee Meeting”. This word salad from administrators of neoliberal institutions is too familiar. Again and again, institutions try to dilute and deflect from their complicity in genocide using jargon. Palestinians are being murdered in Rafah as we speak. There is no time for these long and winding lengthy processes. Stop deflecting and divest now!
“A meeting with the university’s Chief Financial Officer will occur in June to share information about McMaster’s investment strategy. Members of SPHR’s negotiating team and up to three faculty advisors will attend (2).”
Information about the investment strategy is not needed. What is needed is full disclosure and an exhaustive list of companies participating in specific Israeli investments, and any investments complicit in the ongoing genocide. Disclose how much is being invested. There needs to be full transparency about investments and profits in dollars and cents immediately. No investigation or discussions are needed. Mr. Omer Ahmed (CFO) should have access to this information to offer transparency through a breakdown. Disclose now!
“McMaster will continue to be a signatory to the United Nations Principles of Responsible Investing, and will uphold these principles, which include human rights as part of the integration of environment, social and governance considerations. These principles are embedded in the Statement of Investment Policies and Procedures – Investment Pool (section 5). The “Social Responsibility and McMaster’s Investment Policy” will be reviewed and amended as required to align with Environmental Social and Governance (ESG) considerations (3).”
The policy jargon here is unbearable. Policies exist for people, not the other way around. Let’s cut the bullshit. Does the UN’s responsible investing principles support genocide, epistemicide, scholasticide, femicide and white supremacy? If not, nothing needs to be “reviewed” while Palestinian children are being massacred. Divest now!
“The university will disclose annually a report of all direct investments and the names of the pooled funds held in the university’s Investment Pool to the Board of Governors at the first meeting in the Fall of 2024. The report will be made available on the Financial Affairs website. (4).”
Why is this disclosure process not quarterly? Annual disclosures allow institutions the time to create loopholes to hide dealings. Disclosure of profits should be quarterly so there is ongoing transparency of direct and indirect investments, and about where McMaster’s profits are coming from. All loopholes should be closed and prevented. This is a key necessity of proper disclosure.
“An open process will be implemented to allow any McMaster community member to raise questions or concerns about McMaster’s investments, including direct or pooled investments, divestment, and investment policies. The information will be shared with members of the Investment Pool Committee who will review and assess based on applicable Board policies. Concerns will be forwarded to the Board of Governors as appropriate. This process will be in place by the end of October (6).”
This statement resembles a con artist’s shell game. It sounds like a promise of a performative delegation process where the Board of Directors maintains power and makes decisions at their discretion. Based on precedents set by different Hamilton institutions, there is not much hope to be placed on this neoliberal governance process. The community has already spoken in response to genocide in Gaza. Echo their words and declare what Israel is doing the GENOCIDE of Palestinian peoples now!
We choose not to address numbers 7,8, and 9 as they are irrelevant to the original demands put forth.
Equity Network demands that McMaster declares, discloses and divests to end complicity to the ongoing genocide of Palestinians. We demand they hold themselves accountable in full transparency.
As parents, we resist our children attending a post secondary institution which finds loopholes to support genocide. We stand firmly with student movements across the world for justice, for the end of all genocide, and a free Palestine.
Please read this excellent blog post written by Michael Opoku-ForFieh
The Blog about Black History Month celebrates those who came before, their achievements. There is also a Black Future of seeing what life could look like beyond 2030. There is also a Black Now. A reality of living whilst Black that presents risk and reward often in unequal measures.
To focus on Black luminaries in February is not enough. Black history is deeply rooted in all aspects of life, health, engineering, technology/science, the arts & academia.
Centring Black excellence, Black experiences & Black joy must go beyond the month of February. #BHM.
February 27 – Valerie Thomas
An American scientist and inventor who, while working at the NASA. She invented a way to transmit three-dimensional images, or holograms. She also helped to develop processing software to convert scientific data captured by satellites into information that scientists could use. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Valerie-Thomas
February 26 – Thornton Blackburn
Notable facts: Date of birth: 1812; date of death: Feb. 26, 1890; escaped Kentucky with his wife Lucie Blackburn on Jul. 3, 1831; operated Toronto’s first taxi company called “The City.”
He was a self-emancipated formerly enslaved man whose case established the principle that Canada would not return slaves to their masters in the United States and thus established Canada as a safe terminus for the Underground Railroad. The Blackburns continued to be active in anti-slavery and community activities, helping to build the nearby Little Trinity Church, now the oldest-surviving church in Toronto
February 25 – bell hooks
A writer, scholar and social critic who was best known for her intersectional writings on race, feminism, and class. She assumed her pseudonym (the name of her great-grandmother) to honour female legacies. She preferred to spell it in all lowercase letters to focus attention on her message rather than herself. Some of her most famous insights include that “patriarchy has no gender” and that “feminism is for everybody.”
February 24 – Raymond Grey Lewis
The first Black born Canadian Olympic athlete to win an Olympic medal. Raymond was born in Hamilton, Ontario in 1910 and passed in 2003.For 22 year Raymond also worked On the Canadian Pacific Railway
February 23 – Alexandra Merkx-Jacques
A molecular microbiologist & artist. One of her innovations enables microalgae to convert agricultural waste → biofuel! She has also contributed to the field of immunotherapy. A force in both the science & art worlds! #BlackHistoryMonth #BlackInnovators https://www.arcac.ca/alexandra-merkx-jacques.html
February 22 – Nathaniel Alexander
On July 7, 1911, Nathaniel Alexander of Lynchburg, Virginia patented a folding chair. Mr. Alexander designed his chair to be used in schools, churches & other venues. His design included a book rest that was usable for the person sitting in the seat behind.#BHM https://twitter.com/AfricanArchives
February 21 – Dr. Clotilda Douglas-Yakimchuk
Born in Whitney Pier, Nova Scotia. In 1954, she became the first Black graduate of the Nova Scotia Hospital School of Nursing. She also earned her post graduate psychiatric nursing certificate from the Nova Scotia Hospital and a Diploma in Adult Education from Saint Francis Xavier University.
Dr. Clotilda Douglas-Yakimchuk became the first ever elected, and only, Black president of the Registered Nurses’ Association of Nova Scotia. She founded the Black Community Development Organization and advocated for Cape Breton University to create a nursing degree program. Dr. Clotilda Douglas-Yakimchuk received several awards for her cultural and community achievements. In 2003, she was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada and in 2018, she was appointed a Member of the Order of Nova Scotia.
February 20 – Thato Kgatlhanye
Created Repurpose Schoolbags, made from recycled plastic bags. The schoolbag integrates solar technology so that children may study for up to 12 hours. The retro-reflective material also makes the children more visible and safe on their walk to school after dark.
February 19 – Audra Lorde
A writer, academic and activist who dedicated her life and work to confronting all forms of injustice, including racism, sexism, classism, and homophobia. She wrote extensively about her personal experiences as a Black Queer woman and how the intersection of those identities informed her writing, teaching and politics.
February 18 – Viola Desmond Born and raised in Nova Scotia, Canada. She is best known for her bravery in the fight against segregation in 1946. Viola Desmond was a prominent business woman back in her time. Her courage and dignity is now never forgotten as her beautiful face is now the face of Canada’s $10 Bill.
February 17 – Bishop Curry V
After a baby in his neighbourhood died in a hot car, he developed and patented Oasis, a detection and response device that alerts parents and emergency responders if movement is detected in a car seat, and blows cool air on the child until help arrives.
February 16 – William Peyton Hubbard
William Peyton Hubbard created the first patented commercial bakers oven. In 1894 William became the first black councilor in the major cities after He was elected in Toronto.And last but not least he also co-founded the first hydroelectric company in Ontario.
February 15 – Garrett Mrogan
Invented a breathing device(a gas mask) a helmet to protect firefighters from smoke and ammonia inhalation in 1912. He invented the three way traffic signal, Stop,Go,and Stop in all directions, before it resumed Go to traffic in perpendicular directions. Mr. Morgan’s life saving inventions of the gas mask and traffic signals are still in use today.
February 14th – Tomorrow at Dundas Museum
Join us at the Dundas Museum and Archives on Thursday, February 15th, at 7pm for a Black History Month lecture!
In 1989, Computer Scientist Alan Emtage conceived of and built Archie, the first ever internet search engine! Many public search engines today continue to use the foundational techniques he developed. A 2017 Internet Hall of Fame Innovator
February 12 – Dr Rita Orji
A Canadian Research Chair in Persuasive Tech at Dalhousie, STEM diversity ambassador & mentor. She designs interactive systems to increase health/well-being, particularly for under-served populations. Top 100 Most Powerful Women in Canada (2021)! #BlackHistoryMonth
Feb 11 – Dr Anna Jarvis
Dr. Jarvis helped establish the field of paramedic services in Canada, teaching some of the 1st paramedics ever! Medical educator & mentor extraordinaire, she received the Order of Ontario for her work in paediatrics. #BlackExcellence #BlackHistoryMonth
February 10 – Gladys Mae West
Gladys Mae West is an American mathematician known for her contributions to the mathematical modeling of the shape of the Earth, and her work on the development of the satellite geodesy models that were eventually incorporated into the Global Positioning System(GPS).
February 9 – Lewis Howard Latimer
An American inventor and patent draftsman. His inventions included an evaporative air conditioner, an improved process for manufacturing carbon filaments for light bulbs, and an improved toilet system for railroad cars.
February 8 –Brittany Andrew-Amofah
Brittany Andrew-Amofah
Known for: Public affairs commentator
Notable facts: Hosted Word on the Street.
Brittany is a public policy professional based in Toronto. She is currently the Senior Policy and Research Analyst at the Broadbent Institute, where she is responsible for assisting with setting the research and policy direction of the organization, and managing the Broadbent Institute’s Fellow Program. With an expertise in applying policy principles to matters of Canada’s most pressing public affairs, Brittany is regularly sought out to provide research, analysis and consultation services with a focus on creating a more socially progressive Canada.
February 7 – Elijah McCoy
Elijah McCoy aka the Real Mckoy Invented in 1916 a special graphite lubrication.This is used to lubricate super heated machinery. Also the lawn sprinkler was another one Elijah’s inventions.
February 6 – Dr. Patricia Bath
An American ophthalmologist, inventor, humanitarian, and academic. She was an early pioneer of laser cataract surgery. She also founded the non-profit American Institute for the Prevention of Blindness in Washington, D.C. https://drpatriciabath.com/about/
February 5 – Charles R. Drew
An African American surgeon & researcher who pioneered in the field of blood transfusions and blood storage. He protested against blood donor segregation and campaigned for better treatment of Black doctors.
February 4 – Dorothy Johnson Vaughan
An American mathematician/computer programmer who made significant contributions to the US space program. She was the first Black manager at what later became NASA
February 3 – Annie Turo Malone/Madam C.J. Walker
Entrepreneurs of the groundbreaking Black cosmetics industry. Each woman developed haircare and beauty products, created beauty schools and launched highly successful businesses that employed hundreds of African Americans. #BHM
February 2 – Dr. Anderson Ruffin Abbott
Dundas resident doctor in the 1880’s, Dr. Anderson R. Abbott. The first Canadian-born Black doctor. Moving to Dundas in 1881, Dr. Abbott was President of the Mechanics Institute, Church Warden at St. James Church and Asst. Ed. of the Dundas True Banner. Prescriptions from H.W. Ralph’s Dundas Drug Co. shows he practiced in Dundas.
“Raising Black children – female and male – in the mouth of a racist, sexist, suicidal dragon is perilous and chancy. If they cannot love and resist at the same time, they will probably not survive. And in order to survive they must let go. This is what mothers teach – love, survival.” – Audre Lorde
This space, Equity Network, was founded in the grief and rage of a Black woman as Mr. Floyd uttered “I can’t breathe” while being murdered by a byproduct of colonial violence. That same rage and grief reverberated throughout countless communities across North America who collectively started to fight back. The Hamilton community has been no different.
Anyone who has attended Hamilton-Wentworth District schools and identifies as belonging to one or more marginalized groups, understands the often problematic nature of the school board. During the pandemic, similar to the rest of the world, the oppressive and often manipulative nature of HWDSB was exposed by students, parents/caregivers, community members and even staff from within the institution. The harm that many had suffered through or stood up to in isolation, started to form a collective voice. Many of us realized for the first time that we were not alone. We could not be gaslighted, silenced or manipulated any longer because we started to bond in our collective struggle and resilience.
As parents or caregivers of children who have been harmed by HWDSB, we have learned to read between the lines and to navigate the system with an understanding that despite their claims and PR spin, the school board will always prioritize their corporate agenda, not the safety and wellbeing of students.We hope to use this knowledge to push for change from the community, to both hold HWDSB accountable and to support parents/caregivers who face similar struggles in protecting their children. We notice a massive gap between what is stated in policy and discussed by senior leaders during board meetings compared to what trickles down to grassroots student experience in schools.
Acknowledging there is a well established culture of fear within the school-boards, we will speak the truth as we now know that many board employees are not able to due to the fear of reprisal. We will identify the gaps system leaders are not talking about and their tactics of diversion and distraction.These gaps allow for students marginalized by the system to slip through thecracks. Those are the students we are writing this blog to protect.
Through our advocacy we hope to push for transparency and accountability from those who make decisions about our children. Over the years we have observed that the system does not effectively change itself or shift from the status quo that repeatedly causes harm to children. It does, however, follow the performative pattern of putting out policy documents, branding initiatives and public relations propaganda as a temporary fix whenever they are called out.
Through its hollow promises and gaslighting jargon, time and time again, HWDSB has shown no demonstrable commitment in action to real change that truly prioritizes the safety and wellbeing of our children. As an act of deep love and care for all past, present and future students of HWDSB, including our own, we intend to use this blog to call attention to and disrupt practices and mental models which continue to harm children in HWDSB schools. We are determined to hold the system accountable and to ask critical questions to increase transparency from our school board leaders.
Our hope is that this will lead to more equitable outcomes for Black, Indigenous, racialied, LGBTQ2S+, disabled and all other students who continue to be marginalized by their experiences in the current education system. With this blog, our intention is to ground our writing and advocacy in the racial equity principles illustrated below. It is a space for community activism that amplifies the voices of parents, aspace which holds the vision of a safer future for children in our community.
Equity Network has celebrated its one year anniversary. We started as a small group intent on learning about being co-conspirators and allies. We are equity seekers recognizing that we must operate in a decolonized space which focuses on anti-racism and anti-oppression through humility and kindness. Our membership has grown significantly. We continue to draw the circle wider to include all of Hamilton. Please take a good look at the website. There are numerous opportunities to provide support for many of the issues. We are requesting that members resubmit a request for membership by way of the website to ensure that you continue to be committed.
