Amina Abu-Bakare says 'walk together' to end racism

Fight prejudice by stepping out of your own comfort zone.

That's the advice of two women in Thunder Bay, who are working to end racism in the city.

They're responding to the results of a CBC national poll, which examined the question of "Are We Racist"?

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The CBC national online survey, which was completed in late October, found that 79 per cent of respondents would be "comfortable" or "very comfortable" living beside a family of a different ethnic background.

75 per cent said they'd be comfortable or very comfortable if "an aboriginal family moved next door."

Most respondents also believed Muslims face more discrimination than aboriginal people.

Amina Abu-Bakare chairs the Thunder Bay Anti-Racism Committee.

She said the city is struggling with the racist attitudes of some people.

"I wouldn't say everyone is racist. What I would say is that people are scared of the unknown and because of that they have their blinders on, and they use that against people."

"Are they aware they are racist, or practicing racism, I have no clue. But when you take some people up and say 'That's a racist comment' the shocked expression on their face usually tells you they are not aware of what they are saying or doing."

'Not pretty here'

Cindy Crowe is the Lodgekeeper at the Blue Sky Community Healing Centre in Thunder Bay.

She agrees racism is a big problem.

"I would like to think the glass is half full and maybe people aren't aware that they're making racist comments, or taking racist actions but I think this town, yea, this town is especially bad with racism... Its not pretty here in Thunder Bay."

Crowe said they strive to lead by example at the centre, where they promote unity between all cultures.

She runs a series of workshops to help explain indigenous traditions to non-native people.

But this week she also hosted a presentation by a Buddhist monk.

"To me a successful event is when I have people from all four nations of the world represented here. That just gives me goosebumps."

'Life's journey is a learning experience'

Abu-Bakare agreed that being curious and being willing to learn about other cultures is the key to ending racism.

"Our life's journey is a learning experience for us, and when I don't understand something I ask, and if I feel too shy to ask I always go on the internet, and if you read something and you are questioning it, ask."

Crowe said that breaking down barriers between groups doesn't have to involve a lot of research. She said it can be as simple as saying 'Hi' to the stranger next to you in the grocery line.

"Yea, okay. It might be a little unnerving the first few times you do it, but you get better at it and practice makes perfect they say, so it could be the simplest, simplest thing but every time we reach out to someone we're improving the situation for both sides."

'We can conquer it'

Abu-Bakare said that although there is still work to be done to end racism in Thunder Bay, she thinks the situation is improving.

"A few years ago nobody would agree in Thunder Bay that there was racism. If you said the 'r" word, it was 'No, no, no.' But at least now we've acknowledged we have a problem with racism. There's lots of committees in place trying to tackle it. It's a big problem but we can conquer it if we try to walk together."