Pickering Mayor Dave Ryan yesterday said the Durham Catholic School Board will take disciplinary action against those who placed a racist comment on a Black student’s yearbook photo.
St. Mary Catholic Secondary School had to recall the 2019-20 yearbooks. It is not yet revealed who replaced the original quote.
“This morning [yesterday], I reached out to Jim McCafferty, Pickering’s Durham School Board Trustee, and we had a discussion on the matter,” said Mayor Ryan.
“He assured me that the school and the schoolboard are conducting a thorough investigation into the matter, and that the appropriate disciplinary actions and/or restorative justice will be enacted in accordance with board and Ministry of Education regulations and the law,” he added.
Meanwhile, John Henry, Regional Chair and Chief Executive Officer for the Regional Municipality of Durham, expressed his sympathies to all who have been hurt by the racism incident.
“On behalf of the Region of Durham, I am saddened by the news of the horrible racist comments made toward a young Black man in his Pickering high school yearbook,” said Henry. “My deepest sympathies go out to this young man and all individuals who have been impacted by the hurtful, malicious and racist comments. I’m sorry this happened to you.
“This is unacceptable in our community. I condemn all racism in Durham Region—no form of racism is acceptable,” he added.
Henry said this is unfortunately the sad reality of the challenges we face as a society to enact meaningful change against anti-Black racism. This is further proof that dangerous prejudices still exist within our community, and that we have a long way to go to eliminating them.
That’s why we need to stand together. We need to accept others for who they are—rather than defining people by their beliefs, culture, identity, language, or the colour of their skin.
“I understand that words will never be enough. We will continue to ensure our policies and programs are built on equity and opportunity. We must all do our part to love one another, and remember to always be kind,” he added.
Disappointed, disheartened and angry
Pickering Mayor Dave Ryan said he was “disappointed, disheartened and angry” when he learned of the incident.
Below is Mayor Ryan’s statement:
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