Hamilton woman speaks out after home, storefront sprayed with racist graffiti in ‘calculated’ hate act
Reena Rampersad, a prominent caterer and community advocate in Hamilton, Ontario, was shocked and dismayed when she stepped outside her home the morning after Canada Day to find hateful graffiti scrawled across her front door. As she approached closer, she realized that the words were a racial slur, and her storefront window had also been defaced with symbols associated with white supremacist sentiments. The vandalism was clearly targeted at her, and Rampersad felt that it was a calculated act of hate meant to intimidate her.
Rampersad, who owns the High Society Supper Club, a cannabis-infused catering business, and is an active member of the Black and Caribbean communities in Hamilton, expressed her concerns about the increasing deliberate and dangerous nature of hate crimes in recent years. She noted that the perpetrators behind these acts are educated, organized, and intentional in spreading their hateful messages.
The graffiti on her home included derogatory language and a demand for her to “GO HOME”, along with the N-word. Additionally, her storefront window had been defaced with symbols glorifying Adolf Hitler and white nationalist slogans. Rampersad immediately contacted the Hamilton Police Service to report the incident, and they confirmed that they are investigating it as a hate-motivated crime.
Despite the distressing nature of the vandalism, Rampersad was heartened by the swift and thorough response from the police, as well as the outpouring of support from her community. She received a bouquet of sunflowers from a stranger who showed up at her door after hearing about the racist graffiti attack, which served as a reminder of the kindness and solidarity that exist in her city.
Rampersad believes that her visibility as a Black woman and entrepreneur who advocates for equity may have made her a target for this hateful act. She remains determined to speak out against racism and discrimination, and to continue hosting events that celebrate and uplift Black and brown communities.
The Hamilton Anti-Racism Resource Centre (HARRC) condemned the attack and called for accountability, while Mayor Andrea Horwath and Ward 3 Coun. Nrinder Nann expressed their solidarity with Rampersad and the Black community. Despite the emotional toll of the incident, Rampersad is resolved to not be silent and to use her platform to raise awareness about the systemic inequalities that persist in society.
As she navigates this challenging time, Rampersad draws strength from her family, community, and plant-based wellness practices. She is committed to addressing the root causes of racism and hate, and remains vigilant in the face of potential escalation. By standing together in allyship and solidarity, she believes that positive change can be achieved, and that love and compassion will ultimately prevail over hate.
