McGuinty eyes race stats

12 posts / 0 new

Sat, 2008-11-15 07:33

Manitoba Girl

Premier Dalton McGuinty is seriously considering the controversial collection of race-based statistics across Ontario as a means of fighting youth violence.

"I think we need to ask ourselves what do we need to do to make sure that we are properly attacking the roots of youth violence," McGuinty said yesterday. "I just think that none of us any longer enjoy the luxury of bringing an ideological approach to dealing with race-based data."

http://www.parentcentral.ca/parent/article/537565

Is this a good idea? Will it further marginalize the racialized? Will it help direct resources where they're required?

Sat, 2008-11-15 07:46

Lard Tunderin Jeezus Lard Tunderin Jeezus's picture

To answer your questions in order:

Very probably

Rather unlikely

Sat, 2008-11-15 10:47

Manitoba Girl

So why would a progressive party like the liberals bring in a program like that? And why isn't the NDP vocalizing its objections? Is this only a trial balloon?

Sat, 2008-11-15 18:10

genstrike

I agree with LTJ's answers, but I might suggest that on the other hand, there is a chance that it could expose the police for their racism if there is hard data that, say, minorities get pulled over more.

But on the other hand, it might just reinforce racist ideas in the general population if they see that the cops are arresting more minorities, people might start to think that minorities are predisposed to crime.

Sat, 2008-11-15 18:31

TVParkdale

genstrike wrote:

I agree with LTJ's answers, but I might suggest that on the other hand, there is a chance that it could expose the police for their racism if there is hard data that, say, minorities get pulled over more.

But on the other hand, it might just reinforce racist ideas in the general population if they see that the cops are arresting more minorities, people might start to think that minorities are predisposed to crime.

Yeah but they're not collecting data on WWB or DWB [walking/driving while Black] or anything else related to police/court bias.

They just want to collect race-based crime statistics.

...and like LTJ I don't think it's for the benefit of minorities getting funding.

Sat, 2008-11-15 19:19

M. Spector M. Spector's picture

From the article in the OP:

Quote:
McGuinty was responding to a long-awaited report that identifies racism in schools, policing and communities as a significant cause of youth violence, and calls on the province to create a cabinet committee on social inclusion and anti-racism.

Why do they need to collect crime stats based on race? The report has already identified racism and poverty as major factors contributing to violent crime among youth. Why not just take steps to curb racism and poverty?

Mon, 2008-11-17 21:57

Malcolm

Manitoba Girl wrote:
So why would a progressive party like the liberals bring in a program like that? And why isn't the NDP vocalizing its objections? Is this only a trial balloon?

Sigh.

Could it possibly be that the Sons of Mitches are NOT a progressive party?

Tue, 2008-11-18 11:53

johnpauljones

Manitoba Girl wrote:
So why would a progressive party like the liberals bring in a program like that? And why isn't the NDP vocalizing its objections? Is this only a trial balloon?

When did the McGuinty Liberals become progressive?

Tue, 2008-11-18 12:04

Fidel

This is one of the worst phony majority dictatorships we've ever had in Ontario. But they appeal to the anti-Catholic bigots and 22 percent of registered voters who insisted on voting for them

Thu, 2008-12-18 13:33

#10

Olly

The Colour of Poverty Campaign has been pushing hard for race-based poverty stats. Seems like a damned if you do, damned if you don't situation.

Thu, 2008-12-18 14:06

#11

Maysie

There's a difference between

....policing communities of colour, targetting them unfairly, and then trying retroactively to find a way to demonstrate this institutional racism without reiterating racism

...and recognizing that poverty affects communities of colour differently than white communities and needs to be recognized before it can be addressed at the gov't level.

Conflating poverty and the criminalization of communities of colour? Not so much.

............

Maysie: the babbler formerly known as bigcitygal.

Fri, 2008-12-19 21:15

#12

Doug

M. Spector wrote:

Why do they need to collect crime stats based on race? The report has already identified racism and poverty as major factors contributing to violent crime among youth. Why not just take steps to curb racism and poverty?

If we don't keep statistics, how do we know if what we're doing is having any effect?