Tackling racism takes empathy: Elimimian

A CFL star wants to help shine a spotlight on racism, because it’s an issue many people won’t ever experience personally.

Solomon Elimimian, a Nigerian-born linebacker for the Saskatchewan Roughriders and head of the CFL Players’ Association, has been speaking out about racism in the hopes that he can help others understand some of the struggles many black men face in their everyday lives. Speaking with CKOM/CJME’s John Gormley, Elimimian described an incident that occurred several years ago when he and his best friend were driving in Los Angeles.

“We get pulled over, guns are drawn at us, we’re roughed up, and we sit on the curb, on the sidewalk, handcuffed, and our car was searched. They go through the car, and the only reason we were given was we fit the description of a crime committed,” Elimimian said.

Elimimian said a series of negative interactions with police left him with a deep mistrust of law enforcement, but over time he realized things were supposed to be different.

“At some point I thought that it was normal. You kind of learn to deal with it. It becomes a thing where you want to make it home. You want to make it home alive,” he said.

“When I went to college in Hawaii and went to Canada, my experience with law enforcement was very different … I’ve had good and bad experiences, and I think early on what you go through makes a big impression on how you view the world.”

Elimimian said the majority of police officers follow the rules and harbour no racism, but there are still too many officers who abuse their power, especially towards people of colour.

Racism isn’t always blatant, Elimimian said, describing a number of smaller occurrences where racism was present but not explicit, such as suspicious glances from strangers or staff following him around a retail store. He said it’s something he’s dealt with for years, but others may never have to deal with.

According to Elimimian, the protests following the death of George Floyd at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer – who has since been fired and charged with murder – are primarily about changing the way black men are viewed by the rest of society. He said awareness is a huge part of ending racism, as he’s spoken to many people who haven’t seen or experienced it themselves.

“When you listen, you can form empathy, and that empathy will call you to action,” he said.