Although his comments about Africa were inappropriate, some of Toronto’s Afro-Canadian community appear to forgive Toronto Mayor Mel Lastman.
Dr. Mwesigye W’ankole, president of the African International Community Centre said, “we need to forgive him. If there is a mayor in the history of Toronto who has really helped and encouraged African people, it is Mel Lastman. He made a mistake and made a comment that was a slip of the tongue”.
Although he said he was offended and shocked at first, Dr. W’ankole said he is now recommending that Afro-Canadians forgive the mayor, considering that Lastman has worked to promote Toronto’s African community in the past.
W’ankole said. “he apologized and we have to believe that was sincere”. He added that Lastman helped ensure there would be an Africa Day at Ontario Place this summer. “I think it was a bad joke, but he didn’t mean to put people down. We can’t take it personally.
Mary Duku, president of Music Africa and an organizer of Afrofest — a Toronto Festival of African music, food and crafts taking place in Toronto July 7 and 8 –has issued a public invitation to the mayor.
She said, “if his apology is heartfelt, he is welcome here. There is no need for him to be afraid”.
Duku said she is trying to calm the anger in the community. “You cannot put out a fire with gasoline”, she said. “I acknowledge he made a mistake but we have to give him a chance to learn from his mistake”.
