As part of this series on diversity, I would like to share with you an excerpt from my speech on the commemoration of the International Day for the Elimination of Racism, held at the Headquarters on March 20, 2008.
Many years ago, the great African-American scholar, W E B DuBois, had said that the greatest problem of the twentieth century is “the problem of the color line”. Well, we have left the twentieth century behind. Sadly, as events locally and globally daily remind us, we have not left behind the problem of denial of many people’s basic rights to life, liberty, dignity and equal treatment because of racism, bigotry and ethnocentrism. This is why this day that we are commemorating is so very important. On this day, declared by the United Nations, we remember the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination that so many countries have signed and yet so few have fully enforced. On this day, we take stock of how well we have done in eliminating this scourge from the organizations for which we are responsible. For this reason, I am extremely pleased that since last year, we have begun to observe this day here at Headquarters.
For the Toronto Police Services Board, eliminating racism and building an equitable and inclusive organization is a matter of the highest priority.
We believe that there must be an absolute intolerance of any systemic policies, practices or procedures as well as of any individual expressions or actions that have an adverse impact on any member of our society because of race, colour, ethnicity, culture, language, nationality or religion.
We believe also that we must include people from different backgrounds at all levels of the police service, so that members of all the communities in this City are full participants in the work of this organization.
And we believe as well, that all members of the public are entitled, at all times, to courteous, fair and equitable services from us, with full recognition of and respect for their background and identity.
The Board has shown its commitment to the principles of equity, inclusion and anti-racism through its policies and through its expectation of meaningful results in relation to these principles. To this end, I am very proud particularly of the Race and Ethnocultural Equity Policy that this Board has approved unanimously. This policy supersedes our previous Race Relations Policy. And as its wording indicates, our emphasis is on equity of results or outcomes. As far as I am concerned, it is only by results that organizations must be judged, not by their good intentions or demonstrations of generosity.
I encourage you to take a look at our policy, which is on display in this foyer.
Because of our emphasis on results, I am heartened by the remarkable progress that has taken place in changing the very face of this organization. From enhanced outreach, that extends into all of Toronto’s diverse communities, to a strong and visible recruitment effort, to our focus on the promotional process – we are taking active steps to ensure that our police service truly reflects our City.
Through initiatives such as a comprehensive employment systems review and an ambitious Human Rights Charter project to bring about organizational change, we will create an inclusive, anti-racist organization in which all our policies, procedures and practices will comply with the tenets of our Race and Ethnocultural Equity Policy.
We should take pride in the progress that we have made. At the same time, we know well that a great deal of critical work remains to be done to ensure that our Service is free from discrimination of any kind.
I am hopeful that our collaborative attempt to eliminate racial discrimination from our midst will succeed.
Many years ago, the great African-American scholar, W E B DuBois, had said that the greatest problem of the twentieth century is “the problem of the color line”. Well, we have left the twentieth century behind. Sadly, as events locally and globally daily remind us, we have not left behind the problem of denial of many people’s basic rights to life, liberty, dignity and equal treatment because of racism, bigotry and ethnocentrism. This is why this day that we are commemorating is so very important. On this day, declared by the United Nations, we remember the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination that so many countries have signed and yet so few have fully enforced. On this day, we take stock of how well we have done in eliminating this scourge from the organizations for which we are responsible. For this reason, I am extremely pleased that since last year, we have begun to observe this day here at Headquarters.
For the Toronto Police Services Board, eliminating racism and building an equitable and inclusive organization is a matter of the highest priority.
We believe that there must be an absolute intolerance of any systemic policies, practices or procedures as well as of any individual expressions or actions that have an adverse impact on any member of our society because of race, colour, ethnicity, culture, language, nationality or religion.
We believe also that we must include people from different backgrounds at all levels of the police service, so that members of all the communities in this City are full participants in the work of this organization.
And we believe as well, that all members of the public are entitled, at all times, to courteous, fair and equitable services from us, with full recognition of and respect for their background and identity.
The Board has shown its commitment to the principles of equity, inclusion and anti-racism through its policies and through its expectation of meaningful results in relation to these principles. To this end, I am very proud particularly of the Race and Ethnocultural Equity Policy that this Board has approved unanimously. This policy supersedes our previous Race Relations Policy. And as its wording indicates, our emphasis is on equity of results or outcomes. As far as I am concerned, it is only by results that organizations must be judged, not by their good intentions or demonstrations of generosity.
I encourage you to take a look at our policy, which is on display in this foyer.
Because of our emphasis on results, I am heartened by the remarkable progress that has taken place in changing the very face of this organization. From enhanced outreach, that extends into all of Toronto’s diverse communities, to a strong and visible recruitment effort, to our focus on the promotional process – we are taking active steps to ensure that our police service truly reflects our City.
Through initiatives such as a comprehensive employment systems review and an ambitious Human Rights Charter project to bring about organizational change, we will create an inclusive, anti-racist organization in which all our policies, procedures and practices will comply with the tenets of our Race and Ethnocultural Equity Policy.
We should take pride in the progress that we have made. At the same time, we know well that a great deal of critical work remains to be done to ensure that our Service is free from discrimination of any kind.
I am hopeful that our collaborative attempt to eliminate racial discrimination from our midst will succeed.
