Pembroke resident Garland Wong is looking to create a more welcoming community and is sharing his experiences with racism and discrimination.
Wong was born in Pembroke in 1960 and shared his story with representatives from the County of Renfrew as part of their in-person council meeting on Wednesday (August 25th, 2021).
Growing up, Wong says he had racist slurs yelled at him, was called names, had rocks thrown at him and was spit on.
As a former lab technician who worked at hospitals in Pembroke, Renfrew, Arnprior, Deep River and Barry’s Bay, Wong says on one occasion a patient asked if there was anyone else who could look after them.
Last year during the pandemic, he says a former friend made a comment by yelling across the mall, “you people brought it here”, referencing the COVID-19 pandemic.
Wong, who is the co-chair of Pembroke’s diversity committee, tells myFM he was quiet for 55-years and is now speaking out for those who are afraid to.
Wong talked about the incident involving a Pembroke grandmother who had rocks thrown at her in the summer of 2020 and says that was when he decided to speak out.
He’s now looking towards community leaders to help promote welcoming communities and commended Renfrew, Arnprior and Pembroke for their work creating diversity committees.
Wong called on the mayors and county representatives to listen to local residents, look out for them, get feedback and work together.
Admaston/Bromley Mayor and county councillor Michael Donohue says there is much work to do to address and confront unacceptable behaviours.
Arnprior councillor and county representative Dan Lynch added in his community, there’s talk of bringing back a welcoming committee.
Warden Debbie Robinson and other members of county council also commended Wong for speaking out and sharing his story.
