Racist video discussion on social media is a good thing, say community leaders
WARNING: 'Shocking' racial slurs and altercation captured on video
Abbotsford community leaders say it's a good thing people are talking about a video that shows a white man yelling racial slurs and offensive language in a downtown parking lot, because it's a good example of unacceptable behaviour.
"I think the comments that are being generated are the best part, because it really shows peoples' overwhelming outrage for this type of behaviour," said Allan Asaph, the executive director of the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce.
"I think that's a very positive sign, that as a community, we are saying this is not acceptable."
Social media, said Asaph, is a good way to get out the message that opinions like those of the man in the video will not be tolerated.
Supportive community
The vast majority of people in the Fraser Valley are supportive of diversity said Ken Herar, founder of the Cycle4Diversity campaign.
"People here in the Fraser Valley believe in diversity. Our community is built on diversity," said Herar.
"This kind of behaviour is not warranted here and that's the message I'm receiving on Facebook and social media."
Incidents not related
Herar was among several Mission residents who earlier this month awoke to find a plastic bag with a flyer and some rice on their front lawns from the Ku Klux Klan, but he doesn't feel the incidents are connected.
"I asked that question on my Facebook page," said Herar.
"The vast majority of responses that I received from that post on Facebook are that people believe that these are isolated incidents."
Abbotsford police have contacted the hate crimes unit and Crown counsel in their investigation of the incident.