Dozens of Fanshawe students were among the first in the city to raise their hands against racism on Tuesday.
London's Diversity, Inclusion, and Anti-Oppression Advisory Committee launched its #HandsAgainstRacism campaign at Fanshawe College. The initiative, that encourages people to post photos of themselves to social media using the hashtag #HandsAgainstRacism, coincides with the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
Rifat Hussain, chair of the advisory committee, said London has been a very welcoming city, especially for refugees and international students, but it still has a lot of work to do to become more inclusive.
"There are different types of racism some can be indirect, some can be very direct, and some can be in the form of systemic racism," said Hussain. "Acknowledging that we do have a problem and what are we going to do to fix it is a big thing. It isn't going to remedy itself overnight, it is going to take time but a lot of people are recognizing that it is an issue."
Fanshawe College students added their hand prints to an anti-racism banner, March 21, 2017. (Photo by Miranda Chant, Blackburn News.)
She suggests adopting the "Make It Awkward" campaign that began in Calgary.
"Whenever you hear something completely inappropriate you make it awkward, you make it uncomfortable for the person that's actually saying [racist] things. That way you become an ally to those that are indirectly victimized. You can voice your concerns, you can address the concerns but don't remain silent on the concerns," said Hussain.
During the launch, students covered their hands in colourful paint and decorated a Hands Against Racism banner with their handprints.
College President Peter Devlin and Mayor Matt Brown also took part in the campaign kickoff.
"It's everyday racism that has me most concerned, systemic racism. Each of us as a community member has a responsibility that if we see racism occurring on any given day, that we need to stand up, address it head on and say 'that is not okay,'" said Brown.
Brown said recommendations from community consultations on an inclusion and an anti-racism strategy will be going to council in the coming weeks.
"We are more welcoming and more inclusive than we ever have been but we still have a long way to go," said Brown.