About four dozen people rallied in downtown Halifax Friday against racism on job sites.
The rally was organized in the wake of an incident on Sept. 19 in Pictou County, in which 21-year-old Nhlanhla Dlamini was shot in the back by a co-worker wielding a nail gun.
Dlamini underwent emergency surgery for a collapsed lung, and spent four days in hospital. The co-worker has been charged with criminal negligence causing bodily harm.
Dlamini’s family said he was the victim of bullying, harassment and racism on the job site.
Rev. Rhonda Britton of New Horizons Baptist Church in Halifax told the rally that the community has lots to do to wipe out racism.
“You cannot deny that Mr. Dlamini’s attack on the job was racially motivated,” she said. “It was a hate crime, and we need to stop trying to whitewash that. We need to say what it is so we can address it.”
Angie Bowden travelled from New Glasgow for the rally.
“When racism is this hateful, it rips open old wounds, exposing many victims. It is concerning to us that our youth feel hopeless in these situations, and continue to be targets in this province,” she said.
“What we are collectively saying is that we, the black community of Nova Scotia, refuse to allow anyone to create another wound in our children to be left unhealed. Our children deserve better, and we demand better.”
Raymond Sheppard, who organized the event, said he believes the charge should be upgraded to attempted murder and a hate crime.
Racism realizations
I am surprised and I’m very impressed with the community and the level of support.
Dlamini was at the rally. He told the group that he didn’t bring up what he was dealing with to the boss because he had been on the job less than three weeks.
“I was just going to let it die out, but by doing that it resulted in me being shot by him,” he said.
He said he was grateful for the community support for his family.
Dlamini’s older brother Buhle also thanked people for their support.
“We know what happened to Nhlanhla is not normal, we know that what happened to Nhlanhla is not what Canada is about, it’s not what Nova Scotia is about, because of people like you, who are here today to say ‘this is not us,’” he said.
After the rally, the brothers said they have appreciated the support they have received.
Buhle said people have expressed shock since the event.
“They are shocked that this has happened here, but there are also responses where some people want to minimize what happened or that racism had a role in it. That’s always a bit frustrating ... but those incidences have been fewer. Overwhelmingly, the response has been very supportive with people saying this isn’t OK and they won’t stand for it.”
He said the rallies are important to make more people realize that these kinds of incidents are happening, even if they don’t result in violence or injuries.
He said he hopes people will realize workplace racism is happening and stand up to it.
Nhlanhla said besides appreciating the support, he was surprised by how much he received.
“I really, really am,” he said. “Looking on my Facebook, this one person saying they thought I did this on purpose to get this outcome, and everyone just (piled) on this person and I was like, ‘whoa, I didn’t even have to say anything. This is amazing.’ So yes, I am surprised and I’m very impressed with the community and the level of support.”
