The lessons of 2019 as it pertains to justice

BY BRITTNEY CHANNER

Hello Readers!

Welcome back to the final social justice entry for the year. 2019 has come and is almost gone, as we are about to venture into a brand new year filled with surprises.  As you know, our world is constantly changing and because of these changes, we are left open to many situations where rights of all kinds are violated or put in jeopardy. In the last twelve months I have focused on racial inequality, aboriginal issues, environmental issues and the concept of justice within my articles. Stories concerning abuse of power, age discrimination, and overall ways in which individuals can access justice have been prominent topics of focus for me.

As empowering as all those articles have been over the past couple of months, for my last edition of 2019, I decided to list the top three issues of concern that I believe should be placed on the forefront of our agenda as we enter the New Year. Achieving justice in many facets of society will always be a challenge; especially to those who feel and are a part of marginalized groups. Nevertheless, it is important to ensure that we continue to make proper strides in 2020 in regards to issues that affect us as a whole; this way we can ensure equality for all in all its forms.

Housing issue in the GTA

The lack of housing in the Greater Toronto Area, is of general concern only because its lack thereof progressively leads into another pertinent social issue; homelessness. Research suggests that the demand for housing is greater than the supply and because of this, many people are left without adequate housing or forced into areas with insufficient necessities. The housing gap has proved to be an important issue this year and will continue to reveal its ugly head in 2020 until proper solutions are created to combat this issue.

Climate change

Climate change has been discussed significantly over the years spawning attention from environmentalists all over the world. The increase of forest fires, flooding and melting glaciers, and unpredictable weather patterns all come with the concept of climate change. Damages to infrastructure such as the roads, due to thawing of ice, can lead to high costs of repair and therefore impact the cost of transporting food.

Additionally, climate change has a direct effect on animals as their ecosystems are either permanently eradicated due to human impact or changes in weather. For some, this may not be of direct concern, but the shift in climate has a direct effect on us all, especially those who live in communities that still look towards traditional hunting methods for food. It is imperative that we take a look at the impact of climate change and decipher ways we can reduce our ecological footprint.

Discrimination

While Canada prides itself on being a country that promotes an inclusive society where everyone is free to participate in the economic, cultural and social sphere, there are still occurrences of discrimination either based on race, gender or age. If we as citizens are committed to the reputation that our country stands on, it is imperative that we embody the ideals that make our nation stand out and choose to fight against discrimination and its occurrences. According to Environics Institute for Survey Research and their study on race relations, they determined that a majority of Canadians who are black (54%) or Indigenous (53%) have personally experienced discrimination due to ethnicity or race. Although Canada has attempted to introduce an Anti-Racism Strategy Engagement as of 2018 to combat the issue, the need for a stronger participatory role from the federal government in producing anti-racism work is necessary.

It is evident that the issues brought forth within this article are not the only matters of concern that need to be of focus. There are several other topics concerning justice that require discussion and analyzation. Nevertheless, if we as a society work together to ensure that these issues are addressed by using the power of our voices, I am certain we can create the change we want to see. It won’t be easy, and it won’t happen tomorrow, but equality is a reachable ideal.

From everyone at the Toronto Caribbean Newspaper, including myself, thank you for spending the last twelve months reading my articles. I appreciate the support dearly. Wishing you all a very safe and Happy New Year. See you in 2020!