Systemic racism among police - Punjabi

RADIO - Red FM 93.1 Punjabi Morning - Vancouver, 18/06/2020 - COMMENTARY, Punjabi

Summary Translation: Harjinder Thind - These days, racism is getting attention. Charanpal Singh Gill and his group have been fighting racism for the past 40 years, but their methods were different. First, they tried to raise awareness, and when that did not work, things got violent. At that time, racism was different: White people would beat up Black people; spit on people of colour, turbaned people, and women wearing suits; and cause various types of harm. Therefore, the form of defence was also violent. Now the conversation is about systemic racism. There is individual racism, but institutional racism is the worst: that is, if the system is such that policies themselves are racist. Individual racism depends on one person and can be transferred to their children. For example, White people sitting in a car talking will lock their car instantly if a turbaned or Black person passes their vehicle, which they would not do if it were a White person. This is individual racism. Individual racism is often unconscious. Institutional racism is in the system and is ingrained in policies. For example, the RCMP's initial hiring policy was to hire only White blond men taller than six feet with green eyes. This is why Vancouver's elementary school teachers association has passed a resolution banning the entry of the Vancouver Police Department in schools because they stop and ask questions based on a person's colour. As they have the carding system, they racially profile. The association said that they do not want the Vancouver police to enter schools as liaison officers. No one has said anything against the decision because now there is a wave in favour of people of colour, Indigenous people, and gender equity to overcome systemic racism. RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki repeatedly said that there is no systemic racism. The argument in Parliament was also with regard to systemic racism. The Prime Minister has affirmed that there is systemic racism in the RCMP.