Human Rights and Advocacy — Adora Nwofor

Human Rights and Advocacy

Adora Nwofor

Calgarian Adora Nwofor is the President of Black Lives Matter in Calgary. She is a mother of three, a comedian, writer, entrepreneur and accidental influencer. “I was raised by feminist parents. I was contacted by the national organization. We became official here in January 2021. I am also founding co-organizer grand marshall for the march for women and widely involved in the community with campaigns, organizations and volunteering”. She says of her involvement in the Black Lives Matter movement. She doesn’t agree that much has changed a year after George Floyd: “The world watching a man murdered casually, without any immediate vigorous intervention live-streamed has only highlighted that oppression is firmly entwined into society and the place where this happened is not interested in changing. People are more aware that racism is a talking point.” She spoke at length about the changes she would like to see in Calgary: “Calgary is behind in anti-racism work on all fronts when it comes to impactful change that is led by marginalized communities. I would like to see any organization in support or service to a community look like that community and have experiences that speak to those issues. Organizations that reflect the community that is being supported are more successful. We know representation matters and Calgary is failing at this. I would like larger Black-focused events. Our population alone can support Afro-centric events and so the city should do more to ensure large scale events are consistent and evolving with the times. A campaign dedicated to interrupting racism and oppression. Many of the new protests that reference freedom or human rights are dog whistling anti-Blackness. When Calgary is serious about something they ensure it is changed and having closed door discussions is not helping marginalised people mitigate the trauma of these continued abuses”. Anti-racism initiatives/committees etc should never have white people included. The inclusion of whiteness in these spaces is to continue perpetuating a white-centric society based on colonialism which is the harm we are trying to mitigate. Including people who benefit from what we are trying to dismantle are a distraction. Their participation should be limited to the review of what has been decided and that sharing only a formality for clarity”.