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STEFAN KEYES DISCUSSES RACIAL INEQUALITY AND RACISM IN OTTAWA
ight now, important conversations are happening around racism in Canada, police brutality and white privilege. What do you think the media’s role in these conversations is, or has been? Do you think it needs to change? Objectively speaking, the role of the media is to understand the pulse of society and report the issues that are current, significant, and new. Racism in and of itself is not new. Unfortunately, perhaps that is why people are so comfortable in believing it doesn’t exist. Every incident of racism is not reported. However, the heightened and renewed calls to put an end to it most certainly is news. The media is an all-encompassing word that can apply to various forms, but when it comes to news media
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the ideal role is to keep people informed of both sides of the conversation. In doing so, people can formulate their own opinions. It is still a dangerous dance that flirts with bias when news outlets may feel it is their job to persuade the public of one thing or the other. At times, if the conversation feels one-sided it is often because those with the unpopular or opposing views do not want to share them so publicly – fearing backlash. As a reporter, you’re trained and experienced in navigating uncomfortable conversations to get at the heart of issues. What have these conversations been like for you, as you’ve led them on CTV, and participated in them on various platforms on social media these past few weeks?
Admittedly, the conversations feel much more personal now. Desensitization to issues is a well-understood conditioning that comes following years of doing the job. Nonetheless, getting at the heart of this issue also means I can’t escape becoming personal and vulnerable to shed light on the truth of it all. There is certainly discomfort in vulnerability but there is also fulfillment in being able to share experiences of racism, prejudice and discrimination that have been compartmentalized and tucked away for so long. In hindsight, perhaps it has even been therapeutic to engage in uncomfortable conversations that end up being rewarding and (seemingly) helpful to the greater good of such a humanitarian issue. What are some tips for people hoping to approach these conversations about racism and white privilege with friends and family?
