An Open Letter to the UN Special Rapporteur on Racism from The Black Youth


Dear Mr. Diene:

We are a collective of African youth and youth of African descent. We write to you in collaboration with an elder, as we seek to advocate for the special case of African Canadian youth in our city. Collectively, we call ourselves The Black Youth.

Allow me to Introduce Myself

I am The Black Youth…feared by some, reviled by others, misunderstood by even many who try to help me, regarded with hope by those who believe I can Rise.

The first thing you need to know about me is that like all other Canadians I am offered protections under the laws of this country. As a matter of fact, the Government Official will show you the policies, programs, initiatives that she will say are designed for youth. I am a youth and in her eyes there is nothing stopping me from reaching out and taking my share of the pie. Even my parents sometimes chide me for not taking my share of what Mr. Foster says is, in the eyes of an immigrant generation, "a place called heaven". And when I marvel at the gleam of Corporate Canada; when I see the Good Life in TV ads; when I hear of scholarship programs and opportunities to travel and an offer of a second chance under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, I see why to some this is a place called heaven.

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