The South Okanagan Immigrant and Community Services (SOICS) is carrying on the fight against racism with the return of its Confronting the White Elephant forum on May 23.
The anti-racism community forum runs from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. and is free to attend, however, it does require registration as spaces are limited.
Previously, the forum has included special guests such as the provincial head of anti-racism efforts, and this year will feature award-winning actor and activist Jesse Lipscombe.
"This year’s forum is a call to action,” said Cherry Fernandez, executive director of SOICS. “We want to create space for people to lean into the discomfort, challenge passive attitudes, and walk away with a deeper understanding of what it means to be part of an anti-racist community.”
SOICS describes the colonial concept of white supremacy and the racism it fosters as akin to the metaphorical White Elephant as an expensive or unspoken problem that comes at a great cost if ignored.
“Similarly, racism affects us all — whether we see it or not. The longer we pretend it isn’t there, the more harm it causes,” said Fernandez. “It’s the legacy and burden we all carry — It will continue to cost us all, unless we face it – honestly and together.”
To learn more or register, visit soics.ca/anti-racism/white-elephant.
