Surrey Board of Trade Delivers a Call to Action to Businesses, Organizations, Governments, Media to Confront Racism
Racism has been at the forefront of our news lately, due to the pandemic.
“The Surrey Board of Trade observed the protests following the death of George Floyd which has revitalized anti-racism movements not only in the United States but across Canada,” said Anita Huberman, CEO, Surrey Board of Trade.
“Surrey has a diverse community with more than 104 different spoken languages. Inclusivity is an economic foundation to drive Surrey’s economy. The Surrey Board of Trade delivers a call to action to businesses, organizations, governments, and media to confront any type of racism through internal and external strategies. Eradicating racism is collective work. It requires mutually reinforcing efforts from all orders of government, institutions, businesses, schools, community agencies and individuals.”
“June also marks Pride Month, and the Surrey Board of Trade wants this community to know that they are an important part of Surrey’s social fabric, contributing to our economy.”
CALL TO ACTION FOR BUSINESSES, ORGANIZATIONS, GOVERNMENT, AND MEDIA:
Guide your decision making following these criteria to for anti-racism analysis to create, implement, and evaluate your initiatives:
1. Diversity: Does the initiative engage with the diversity of our community, including geographic, income, and other social differences?
2. Collaboration: Does the initiative prioritize collaboration with communities of different backgrounds and does it use an interdivisional approach?
3. Relationship-Building: Is the initiative building relationships between diverse communities and your business that are intentional and reciprocal?
4. Accountability: Does the initiative demonstrate accountability to your clients and to its internal commitments by maintaining a clear and legitimate decision-making process?
5. Transparency: Is the initiative transparent to your clients, including resource and political implications?
6. Accessibility: Does the initiative use nonacademic and non-bureaucratic language and employ multimedia and alternate formats to communicate with different cultures in accessible ways?
7. Creativity and Openness: Is the initiative creative and open to change and experimentation to meet historic, current, and emerging needs?
8. Sustainability: Is the initiative sustainable over time and responsive to changing needs?
9. Responsiveness: Does the initiative conduct ongoing checks, use continuous improvement, and ensure flexibility in response to feedback from different communities?
Further, changes are needed to ensure that children and youth, including those who identify as queer and transgender, have access to the programs, protections, and supports that all children and youth need to grow up healthy, safe, and confident. We must look at the following strategies to counter racism activity:
1. Children & Youth Development
2. Health & Community Services
3. Job Opportunities & Income Supports
4. Policing & The Justice System
5. Community Engagement
“It is time for a collective and organized effort to fight racism. No one should have to live or work in fear because of their race or sexual orientation.”
-30-
Anita Huberman, 603-634-0342, anita@businessinsurrey.com
