City councillors Jocelyn Curteanu and Steve Roddick spoke at Monday night’s meeting about racism in light of the turmoil going on in U.S. cities following the death of George Floyd.

They both said racism is an issue that exists in our communities in general, and must not be tolerated.

“As Canadians who pride themselves on the multiculturalism that has built our country, it is difficult to understand how there can be so much hate, and that there are still broad systemic issues related to race that remain unaddressed,” Curteanu said in her impassioned statement.

“I’m sure we can all agree that racism is everywhere but there is also a general consensus that racism is unjust, inexcusable and harmful not just to the individual, but to society as a whole – and therefore cannot be tolerated.”

Roddick said racism is present in the U.S., in Canada, in the Yukon and in Whitehorse.

As a white settler who benefited from colonialism, Roddick said, he recognizes he will never fully understand the anger and pain people of colour and Indigenous roots feel when they see people die because of the colour of their skin.

The councillor said he also recognizes it’s his duty to keep listening and learning from those communities to achieve a greater understanding.

It is important, he insisted, to keep working against racism.

Curteanu noted that Whitehorse is a member of the international Coalition of Inclusive Communities.

As an elected community leader, the councillor said, she felt compelled to express her sadness about the escalating violence in the U.S.

“It has been so disheartening and frightening to witness, and I’d like to extend my sympathy to all those affected. Martin Luther King said: ‘A riot is the language of the unheard.’ So true! Unfortunately, it is just as true that ‘violence begets violence.’

“… For the sake of the American people and as a role model for the international community, I hope and pray that the U.S. returns to the peaceful, just and generous nation that it has been known to be, with the quiet strength that demanded the world’s respect and admiration,” Curteanu said.