In Canada, we pride ourselves in not being a part of the rampant tribalism and racist attitudes that are increasingly being displayed by a segment of the American population.

We can be a bit smug about our culture of acceptance and inclusion of minorities; but itB次元官网网址檚 a dangerous assumption. We recall low points last year when some UVic students created social media posts ridiculing the First Nations community and in November, when anti-Semitic posters were found on campus. While racist actions donB次元官网网址檛 hit the media often here, they do still occur with some regularity.

As Black History month begins, weB次元官网网址檇 do well to recall that, while Victorians were generally accepting of the B次元官网网址淏lack MigrationB次元官网网址� of 1858, there was racism then as well. When the steamship Commodore arrived that spring and Bishop Edward Cridge welcomed some of the migrants into his church, he faced backlash from some who complained about B次元官网网址渃rowding negro men into the same seats with white and respectable women.B次元官网网址�

Racism is a complex issue and a single cure for the fear, ignorance and hatred embodied in that term has yet to be found.

But Pulcherie MboussiB次元官网网址檚 comments in todayB次元官网网址檚 feature on Black History Month are instructive. The founder of the Victoria African Cultural Society urges people to take time to talk to others, particularly those of a different ethnicity than oneB次元官网网址檚 self. Find out about them, she advises, because itB次元官网网址檚 only through learning more about people that true understanding and acceptance is possible.

And donB次元官网网址檛 be afraid to ask questions. If you donB次元官网网址檛 realize that not all black CanadiansB次元官网网址� descendants came from Africa, a continent as diverse and varied in culture, language, history and heritage as any on the planet, you should.

ThereB次元官网网址檚 no shame in not knowing, but there is in letting ignorance breed discrimination.

Make Black History Month a time to start to learn about other cultures and people, and extend your knowledge about the broad tapestry that is our regionB次元官网网址檚 population.