Councillor slammed for 'racist' rant

Pickering mayor urges apology over column

- MANUELA VEGA

In a column about Black History Month, Pickering Coun. Lisa Robinson said people are "hung up" on the transatlantic slave trade.

A controversial Pickering councillor’s column ranting about Black History Month is being slammed by the mayor as “racist, irresponsible and unethical,” and may bring further discipline for the councillor whose pay was suspended twice last year.

In the 1,000-word article published in The Oshawa/Durham Central Newspaper, Coun. Lisa Robinson denounced government programs for Black communities, said people are “hung up” on the transatlantic slave trade, called the idea of white privilege “racist,” and called herself a “modern-day slave.”

The column, which contained several spelling and grammatical errors, was titled “It is not black and white,” and suggested that Black History Month is divisive.

“Slavery is not a white and black issue,” the article reads. “We are so hung up on North American history and the historical trafficking of primarily African decent (sic) people that we have lost sense of time and period.”

Pickering Mayor Kevin Ashe called the column racist and unethical at an executive committee meeting on Monday and again in a statement Tuesday, and urged Robinson to apologize.

“I am shocked that it would be released,” he said. “We should not give it more attention than it deserves, except for the fact that it has caused real harm.”

Ashe went on to stress the importance of celebrating Black history and the achievements of Black Canadians despite “historic adversity.”

Ashe told the Star he received a “large number” of emails of constituents expressing outrage over the column. Robinson similarly said she received widespread support.