We are saddened to make a statement that an incredibly horrific racist incident happened during the panel discussion of our Anti-Racism Arts Festival on Saturday, March 20, 2021. This incident involved the multiple use of an incredibly racist term, the N-word, that was directed to our panelist Wunmi Idowu.
We sincerely apologize to Wunmi Idowu, the other panelists (Dr. Imogene Lim and Randy Fred), and all attendees relating to the trauma caused during the incident. We aimed to create a safe space during our festival with passwords on each Zoom event.
This disturbing incident is an example of why anti-racism work is needed and a continued process, and we personally promise to work even harder towards it. This violent event of anti-Black racism exemplifies just how much more vulnerable our Black community members are to hate, ignorance and divisiveness when they are working in the very field meant to protect them. Wunmi, or any other community member, does not deserve this. There is a need for change. And it cannot wait.
This is not just an example of interpersonal racism, but also systemic as the zoom-bombing did not allow our hosts to remove or mute the individual. We have reported this incident to zoom and will work to ensure future events have as much security as possible.
Again, we apologize for the immense hurt this incident caused. And to Wunmi Idowu, you are a true community builder and gem like no other and we are sorry our event caused you this harm. We want you to know, you inspire us daily, and we are sorry for failing you.
To all attendees; if you need to reach out to the mental health support please follow the link:
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/mental-health-services/mental-health-get-help.html
We promise to do better.
For the joint press release, click here.
