[Tianna]

My first thought is that there is a lot of hostility within the Black community toward one another and what it means to be Black. Being born in North America as a Black person versus being born in Jamaica or Nigeria or Grenada etc has different effects on how people see their Black identity and what is a part of that. This can either cause further division among the Black community which then makes it hard to know where you fit in. On the flip side, it could cause celebration of differences which would be best case and focus on our unity as Black people. On top of that, those who are bi-racial may even feel more ostracized or further away from the Black identity they may wrestle with.

My second thought is, this is a life-long process. If I were to encourage my youth in affirming their identity I would help them to know it is lifelong process and comes with struggles and mind-boggling realities but is also very beautiful if we allow ourselves to bloom and see ourselves as valued. Connecting Black youth together in community is great but cannot stop there. We need to intentionally teach youth to work through differences in the way people express their Black identity and not shame people for not living up to certain expectations. How do we teach unity and compassionate care within the Black community? How can we as workers empower Black youth to affirm each other in the face of a world that seeks to put Black people in a box? How can we practice patience with our Black youth as they seek to unpack what it is the live in the joy of being Black while living within a reality that does not always feel joyful?

[Nicole]

I found going through the courses in this certificate to be affirming-as workers in this space we are a part of the community as well, and it was great to be refreshed on some areas of knowledge and learn completely new concepts and history. Sometimes just by way of being Black it is expected that we should know what to do or say-and sometimes we don’t. So it was great to have a space to learn about centering Black youth wellbeing, and also having our Blackness as workers supported/affirmed as well.

[Rolland]

Hi Rochelle, it sounds like your parents really went the extra mile to create a supportive and affirming environment for you. Being part of the Jamaican Canadian Association, attending a Black Church, and going to a Historically Black University must have provided you with such rich cultural and educational experiences. It’s incredible how these identity-affirming experiences can make a significant impact on one’s life. Thanks for sharing your story!

[Chiara]

Thank you for sharing your experience of having been affirmed as a Black young person, Rochelle. Thank you for the reference to the YouthRex report, monitoring staff; and for the Dr. Wade’s reference, Michaelene. I will dive more into these readings.

I recently watched the movie Brother, after hearing Dr. Andre Davis presentation for Module 1. I saw so much love in representing some of the most intimate aspects of being a Black family in Scarborough: the colours of the walls in the apartment, the art and personal objects in the rooms, the music listened to, the body language between the characters, the gazes, the aspirations, the hopes, the caring gestures. I wonder what kind of discussions a guided view of the movie would bring into high schools in the GTA, for instance. What reflections will be given room to sprout. What emotions.

I have also often wondered what kind of ideas about belonging, Blackness, and sense of identity a youth group that explores Black representations in the arts (musical, visual, or literary) would generate. What do Black young people have to say about the artistic contributions made by Black artists? What resonates with them? What inspirations would they like to keep connected with and why?

[Kennishia]

I believe ensuring that our youth are connected to community is a critical part of affirming their identities, especially cultural organizations where Black youth can learn from elders and have access to volunteer opportunities where they can develop pride in their unique heritage. Representation and social capital is invaluable for Black youth, so we also need to be intentional about introducing them to role models/mentors and even professionals in their desired field that can inspire positive connections in their lives. As an educational professional, I feel that our schools also need to create identity affirming spaces for Black youth and be intentional about using visual markers to celebrate their diverse cultures (ie: images on the walls of prominent Black figures, both historical and present-day, affirmations such as African proverbs), diversifying our library materials with Black authors). We can affirm identities more effectively for Black youth when we celebrate them out loud.

[Nicki]

In My role as an engagement lead, I see the significance of partnership with our EDI Coordinator to ensure meaningful engagement is happening and cultural relevance is being considered in the work we do. Thank you!

[Tana]

I just finished watching the first module lectures, a lot of that information I was only taught once I got to university. Imagine having to wait, in my case until you are 25, to know the depth of black history in Canada. Some families might have had the privilege of knowing long before I did, and I truly love that for them. I know that I will do my part to teach my children, and their children about as much of our history that I know. It can be hard working on loving every fibre of your identity but still having questions while still asking yourself about the journey your ancestors went through. I often find myself researching this journey wishing I had known when I was younger. Wondering if it would have made e more confident in identity growing up in predominantly White spaces to know all that we as Black people have gone through. I think it is very important, especially for the youth, to know their history and be continually reminded that they are their ancestors wildest dreams.

[Abena]

I think community connection and care is also very important. I, too, grew up in predominantly white spaces and know the impacts that this can have on identity formation. I agree that being taught about personal and collective histories is crucial. Cultivating community care through social groups (even if they are small) can supplement this well. And I also think that having a general curiosity about what it means to be Black can be a valuable endeavour in the journey that is identity formation/healing. I believe that taking in different forms of media and literature and art can all be ways to center and explore Black identity in its many iterations.

[Ann]

I believe that the real work begins from home. Parents sharing the rich and uniqueness of their culture and embracing their heritage and everything that makes them who they are; will inevitably impact their children to also embrace their blackness and all that it encompass.

[YouthREX- Kamau]

Thank you for sharing!

There are many systemic and systematic barriers to the development of Black youth in Ontario. These barriers will not be solved overnight, but below is a link to the Doing Right Together for Black Youth Report, which summarizes the experiences and knowledge of over 1500 community members and guided the creation of the Ontario Black Youth Action Plan.

https://youthrex.com/report/doing-right-together-for-black-youth-what-we-learned-from-the-community-engagement-sessions-for-the-ontario-black-youth-action-plan/

[Michaelene]

Rochelle, you are so fortunate to have had so many opportunities for participation and to feel affirmed.

In smaller rural communities, it is not so easy for black parents to encourage youth participation. Also, I’ve observed that the degree of trauma – historical, generational and personal equals Big T trauma which can be paralyzing is a huge barrier. Sometimes, when I broach the topic of engagement in the Black community, I’m left feeling unsure of how it was received. I tend to take a ‘wait and see’ approach because I know there is lots that I don’t know broadly but also in terms of each family. Dr. Carol Wade’s article “Strengthening Engagement with Families of Black Youth’ was impactful, meaningful, relevant, practical and I was happy to see references to Paulo Freire’s work.

Ultimately, I know this is a journey for each of us and I will continue to learn, to engage, to listen (as both lecturers spoke of in module 3) and to ‘act’ in ways that engage, validate, and empower Black youth and their families. And I will continue to challenge my own deeply embedded beliefs, knowledge, understanding and actions.