Courtesy: South Okanagan Immigrant and Community Services

By Dylana Kneeshaw

ANTI-RACISM IN KAMLOOPS

Kamloops Immigrant Services joins video project to encourage anti-racism, highlight diversity

May 6, 2021 | 3:59 PM

KAMLOOPS — Immigrant and community service groups from around the Interior and Okanagan have joined together to release a new video this week.

‘What Do You See?’ was created to raise awareness around ongoing racism towards ethnic minorities and to inspire viewer to treat one another with compassion and respect.

When approached by South Okanagan Immigrant and Community Services and the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce about collaborating on the project, Kamloops Immigrant Services jumped at the chance.

KIS Diversity Outreach Coordinator Graham Specht says they wanted to celebrate diversity in Kamloops, and encourage anti-racism.

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“When we talk about diversity, we’re not talking about increasing the diversity, we’re talking about increasing the awareness, and the acceptance and the value and respect for a wide variety of people who all make up our local and regional society.”

This week, the final product was released to the public to promote the diversity in the region. It also aims to highlight ongoing anti-racism campaigns and combat recent acts of hate towards people of colour.

“Acts of racism are not in, and they’re not welcome,” notes Kamloops Immigrant Services Executive Director France Lamontagne, “and we will stand by those who are victims of racist acts.” Lamontagne says they’re hoping those who watch the video will see how communities work better when inclusion is at the forefront.

“Everyone should just be more welcoming and understand that the colour of your skin doesn’t determine anything really — we are all humans and we have so much to bring to each other.”

Specht and others who work with people from a variety of backgrounds say recently they’ve heard the frequency and severity of negative or racist experiences has increased. Making awareness even more relevant.

“Doing anti-racism is more than just trying not to be racist or do racist or say racist things, but it’s this commitment to an ongoing process.”

In the future, Specht says Kamloops Immigrant Services hopes more videos like ‘What Do You See?’ will be created to keep the community educated and engaged in anti-racism.

“We want to make videos and podcasts and (show) more slices of peoples lives, and paint a more busy picture of all of the different heritages and all of the different relations we have that make up who we are as Kamloops.”