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It is surprising that in Toronto there are no direct train routes to genuinely important places. These places include hospitals, the airport, or any government ministry. This shows that the government will only engage in an undertaking if it will ensure revenue. The ‘public good’ is only a manipulative term used to actualize the ambitions of the government and corporations.
Therefore, govt. policies juxtaposed with corporate undertakings have served to clarify a continuing trend in Canada. This trend, unfortunately, does not suggest that the plight of African Canadians will be ameliorated, but rather perpetuated. However, measures can be taken to eradicate the present social patterns.
First, African Canadians need to organize. Organization is the condition precedent to unity within the community. As well, the community needs to become and stay united against the repressive arm of the state and the oppressive arm of the corporations. Education is also key. Leaders of the black community need to strenuously assert that education is of primary importance if the trends of poverty are to be ended. African Canadians should use their purchasing power as a means of leverage to achieve their goals. These goals should include more funds allocated to public education within black neighborhoods, and also more permissive ways of attaining a post-secondary education. In addition, community leaders must urge members of the community to resist the exploitation from corporations. The most effective means of resisting is through non-violent forms of exercising the clout, which a consumer has over corporations. More simply, do not buy their products. The leaders’ message must be clear: ‘do not justify the very consumer culture, which oppresses you!’
This requires leadership. Once the leaders do appear, the oppressed will follow the path to freedom.
Nima Shirali is the co-founder of the Middle Eastern Reconciliation Forum (MERF), www.merecforum.org
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Comments
Great Rashid Zuberu | Jul 6th, 2003
I think its a great article and some of the issues raise in this article are significant which will have to be looked at critically.I applaud the writer for his candid approach to the topic.
Nisreen Zain-Halai | Jul 13th, 2003
The article sheds light on one of the most important perpetuators of the continuing vicious cycle of poverty: consumer culture. The author coherently articulates the link between poverty, ethnicity and consumerism; crucial issues to be thought about in our current era. An excellent article !!!
great insight! victor chabinga | Aug 30th, 2003
the article was interesting and gave a great insight into the problems of poverty and how they correlate with other social issues- well written.
victor-University of Namibia.
Reflection Adanna Chigbo | Apr 13th, 2012
You must have given this a lot of thought. It is good to see a non-African Canadian (or at least you don't look like one except if you are Eastern African. Tanzanian, maybe?) as it can give a less-biased opinion compared to say an actual African Canadian. To then be able to notice all these things shows that these are things blatantly obvious to those who will only open their eyes. Thank you for opening my eyes
PS: Adanna Chigbo | Apr 13th, 2012
You are Middle Eastern forum, so I take all my guesses back, You are probably Middle-Eastern :)
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