Here’s How You Can Support Anti-Racist Ontario Organizations Right Now
Recent events in Canada and the United States have caused many people to protest the injustices that black people across the world experience. Through social media and in-person protests, Ontarians have shown their solidarity with the movement. But if you have been looking for what to do next and how you can do your part, here's a list of black organizations in Ontario and other anti-racism channels where you can actively lend your support.
Since the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota on May 25, protests against racism and police brutality have been seen on a global scale.
And, in Toronto during the same week, 29-year-old Regis Korchinski-Paquet's death sparked outrage from Black Lives Matter movement and allies.
Thousands of Toronto residents gathered on May 30 to protest in honour of Korchinski-Paquet, as well as in honour of Floyd, who died at the hands of Minnesota law enforcement.
The protests in the 6ix were peaceful, but activists have set up a Toronto Protestor Bailout Fund on GoFundMe in case it is needed. That has amassed over $100,000 in donations in three days.
Along with sharing posts on social media to create awareness and turning up in person to support rallies, there are several organizations and petitions you can support in Ontario if you choose to do so.
On Tuesday, June 2, Toronto Public Health tweeted out Mental Health resources for black communities like The Black Health Alliance and Across Boundaries.
That, though, only scratches the surface, as there are so many other ways you can support these communities in the city.
The most widely known organization is Black Lives Matter Toronto, which runs solely on community donations.
BLM's mission statement in the city is "to forge critical connections and to work in solidarity with black communities, black-centric networks, solidarity movements, and allies in order to dismantle all forms of state-sanctioned oppression, violence, and brutality committed against African, Caribbean, and Black cis, queer, trans, and disabled populations in Toronto."
You can also show your support and help share resources like The Black Youth Healthline in Ontario which helps with youth education, health and community development.
Another organization is Black Women in Motion that aims to empower and support the advancement of "black womxn" and survivors of sexual violence, according to their website.
You can also show support to black artists right now at the Nia Centre for the Arts.
"To address the lack of safe and inclusive spaces for African-Canadian communities, we are building Canada's first professional multi-disciplinary centre for African-Canadian art," reads their statement. They do accept donations.
Meanwhile, for legal aid, the Black Legal Action Centre is a non-profit community legal clinic that provides free legal services for low- or no-income black people of Ontario. You can donate to show your support.
There are also several GoFundMe postings gaining traction right now like the Black Emergency Support Fund for COVID-19 as well as Justice for Regis.
And, for food organizations, Black Food Toronto provides emergency food support to people and families in the "African, Caribbean, black communities in the 6ix who have been affected" by the current pandemic.
Meanwhile, if you want to do your part to boost local black-owned businesses in the community, there is a directory available at AfroBiz, like this one for Toronto-based businesses.
Ontario's MPs municipal leaders and councillors are also just a phone call away so you can tell them exactly how you feel about racism towards the black community.
Although there is still so much to be done, supporting organizations and petitions like these is a good start in being an ally and showing your solidarity.
Black lives matter, in Toronto and everywhere.