Thursday, January 26, 2006

cK at Toronto Gangs Debate

cK's radio group hosts panel discussion

The Regent Park Focus Group based out of Toronto, Canada, sponsored a panel discussion about the 'Racialization of Crime: Racist responses to the Guns + "Gangs" Debate in Toronto".

The panel list was composed of Dalton Higgins, M. Nourbese Philip, Kike Roach and Rinaldo Walcott.

Dalton Higgins: A journalist, writer and editor, Higgins has diverse media experience and expert knowledge of hip hop music and culture. Higgins has worked as an associate editor at Word Magazine, freelanced for The Source, Vibe, Mix, and NOW. He has also co-authored Much Master T: One V.J.?s Journey, the autobiography of MuchMusic V.J. Tony Young.

M. Nourbese Philip: M. NourbeSe Philip is a poet, novelist, and short story writer. Originally from Tobago, Philip completed a Masters degree in Political Science as well as a degree in law, both at the University of Western Ontario, in London, Ontario. She practised law for seven years in Toronto, before giving it up to devote more time to writing.

Kike Roach: Kike studied law at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario and at Universit? Jean Moulin, Lyon III in Lyons, France. Her practice is concentrated in the areas of civil litigation and administrative law. She has represented clients before all levels of court, at various tribunals and inquests and as assistant counsel before the Supreme Court of Canada.

Rinaldo Walcott: Rinaldo is the author of Black Like Who?: Writing Black Canada (1997) of which a second edition will be published in the Spring of 2003; and the editor of Rude: Contemporary Black Canadian Cultural Criticism (2000). He is currently editing a collection of essays on Austin Clarke called Surviving the Crossing: Essays on the Works of Austin Clarke; and desparately trying to finish a book on black Canadian Studies titled Disturbing the Peace: The Impossible Dream of Black Canadian Studies.

The panel discussion was held in the Beeton Auditorium at the Toronto Reference Library. Upon arriving there, it was packed. There was not enough seats and people ended up sitting right on the floor at the front and standing at every corner along the walls.

Myself and my radio co-host, Angela said a few words about "Regent Park Focus" as what the program has to offer youth in the Regent Park area. After doing that, the panel discussion began with each of the members of the panel having 15 minutes each to speak about their point of view about the racial associations to crimes in Toronto.

It was extremely insightful. There was a lot said and discussed. Later, the Eye Video group -- another part of the Regent Park Focus Group, presented a video on ways to improve police/youth relations. The video was filmed and edited by Regent Park youth.

After the video, the panel was opened up to questioning/comments from the crowd. Almost nobody had any questions, they all had some sort of comment addressing the topic.

It was enriching, enlightening, and also frightening of the realities that different people go through. The contrast to what happens in schools in wealthier districts in comparison to lower class areas.


Angela & cK speak about program	Another shot	Standing room only crowd!

200+ people crowd in	Members of the press/media	E-Man took my camera...

The Panel	People leaving after event	cK and E-Man!