Members of the Parkdale United Church are reeling after hate speech was sprayed on the side of their church.
Tupac, the name of a rapper who was killed in a drive-by shooting, and the n-word were among several words sprayed by vandals. The racially motivated, hateful words were painted on a side door and exterior wall of the Hintonburg church sometime the weekend of January 9th and 10th. A volunteer discovered the graffiti and quickly called the police.
"It was hurtful. And we felt as a congregation and myself, targeted because it was a racist epithet that addressed the black people," said Reverend Anthony Bailey.
Ottawa Police are not yet calling this a hate crime, though the investigation is said to be heading in that direction.
"It's not just personal prejudice and pranksters. It's a very serious way of demeaning another," Bailey said.
The incident has a personal meaning to Bailey. Years ago he was attacked alongside his brother on the streets of Montreal in a hate crime. His brother was stabbed to death and died in his arms.
Rather than focusing on the negative, hurtful aspects of this incident Bailey said his congregation is trying to spread the message of hope, forgiveness and unity. If the offenders are caught Bailey said he would like to talk them to lunch to discuss their motivation behind this act.
"I'd like to have an opportunity to talk about why they believe they think the way they do," said Bailey. "Perhaps we could come to a different understanding about how we should live together."
Since the incident messages of solidarity have been coming in from all over Canada, including from Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson and Ottawa MPP Yasir Naqvi.
"They do contribute a lot to the community and this morning's news was shocking and disappointing," said James Valcke, the President of the Hintonburg Community Association.
Police currently have no suspects.
