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I want my future children to know their lives matter

I was born and raised in Alberta and I have always been proud of my heritage.
21873168_web1_Opinion

I was born and raised in Alberta and I have always been proud of my heritage.

I always thought we were better off than other countries in many ways, but it does not mean we do not have work to do and cannot improve on the systems we have.

In light of the recent attack on yet another African American in the United States, I think it is more important than ever to discuss this.

We cannot pretend discrimination does not happen in Canada, because it does. We just don’t hear about it as much.

For decades, Indigenous people, African American people, disabled people and people of other cultures have been judged and treated baldly by police, employers and people who believe they have power over them.

It is a fact that someone reporting a crime who is white will always be taken more seriously, and the file will move faster, than if the report is made by someone of a different race.

It is a fact that someone of a different race or disability must work harder in school, work and everyday life to prove themself because of how people have been taught to see others.

We have seen some change through the decades, such as you are allowed to have a relationship and marry someone of a different race. All people can go to school and live.

We have come far from the Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King and John F. Kennedy days, but I believe we could do so much more.

I think all systems need to be looked at and changed. Without any changes, nothing will change. We need to put more diversity lessons in our schools, so we are teaching our future to live in a more peaceful world.

We need to train police and other people who deal with lives every day, that no matter a person’s race, they deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.

This horrible senseless act has happened in a time in my life of great importance.

I have always believed that everyone, despite their race or disability, should be treated with the same respect and dignity as others, but I am married, and gave my life to an African American man who I plan to bring to Canada, and we are expecting our first child.

I want to be able bring my husband over and raise our family without explaining to our children why people are telling them they do not belong, and their lives do not matter.

Change will not happen if we do not care to look at all systems in education, justice, how we live, and make improvements.

I want to leave you with one of my favourite sentiments from Martin Luther King: Life’s most persistent and urgent question is what are we doing for others?

I am pleading with you for change. As a proud Canadian, wife, mother and friend, please stand with the nation to stop discrimination and be part of change.

Alicia Ojo is a Red Deer resident.