[Claire]

When applying for funding for community programs, research is very helpful to demonstrate the gaps experienced by a community, for example, decreased access to health care. Research demonstrating statistics but also stories from the community members themselves can support funding applications as they tell the story of what they need and can drive a program to meet those needs.

[Natalee]

Research informs our practice and it also helps us to become more aware of evidence-based data. We can draw from research findings to highlight and challenge the impact of anti-Black racism and their families by ensuring the research is also being shared with families. The research families can help us to put strategies in place to better support youth and families.

[Holly]

Bring them (youth and families) to the forefront of the conversation. As I noted in previous discussions, we need include and ensure that the research include Black youth and their families in the process. This will ensure that in the process of recreating the narrative, we ensure that we position ourselves as culturally responsive and relevant. Moving from that it will inform more accountability. We would be able to really hold accountability high and ensure that follow-through and evaluation can occur.

[Justine]

The phrase “nothing about us without us” comes to mind in regards to this topic. The research is critical to recognize gaps in care and support for Black youth. We need to take the research and include Black youth and their families in the process of revitalizing programs or systems of care to ensure they are culturally responsive and relevant. Accountability, follow-through and evaluation are also critical.

[Julia]

Yes! The thought that came to mind is, “nothing for us, without us”. The stories and experiences of Black voices in research are foundational in the change making process.

[Sarah]

We know that the collection of disaggregated data in systems like child welfare, health care, policing, and education is important for tracking change over time, and to assess if organizational changes are addressing anti-Black racism and improving outcomes for Black communities. I have seen how research findings in my own organization have sparked some critical thinking about how to make changes to better support Black youth and families.

At the same time, while I value research as a tool to inform practice and policy, I think we often know what we need to know to do better. We can often draw from a wealth of existing formal and informal research and knowledge. However, when meaningful change requires structural change and the shifting of power to folks who have traditionally been denied power, it can be ‘easier’ for organizations to create a new research project or study to give the impression of immediate action.

[Danielle]

One of the issues, I have seen working in orgs and doing research is it is often eurocentric and they put no budget, effort or respect into mental health research in Black communities. Like expecting me to interview Black youth for mental health support without any compensation for youth or referrals to mental health care. I find leadership often make decisions that are out of touch with the needs of communities. I would say no and be told I am not listening to leadership but I really didn’t want to perpetuate same old paradigms of research.

[Catherine]

I think that in my practice I can draw on research findings to highlight and challenge the impact of anti-black racism on youth and their families through policy and program development at my organization. In the past few years there have been more black youth to attend our centre than before. Before taking this module I recognized that there are needs that black youth and their families have that white youth do not have, but was unsure where to go from this observation. I feel like with the material here I have a place to start looking through policy and procedures to focus them on being anti-racist. Also something that came up for me in the beginning modules in how Canada is good at covering up racism and injustices to upkeep an image as accepting, and progressive because that is the way we want to be seen, but it is not the truth for so many.

[Danielle]

One powerful phrase that I will take from this module and use in my work is a reminder to colleagues who are not Black: “You can either be a barrier to or facilitator of access to care.”

I think this is so powerful because, even when they are well researched, well-meaning folks still behave according to racist assumptions. So stop and analyze your behaviour: are you helping or hindering?

No more discussions.

[Elizabeth]

One way I am thinking that I can personally draw on research findings to highlight and challenge the impact of ABR on youth and families is by incorporating this research into program planning and development. Thinking about why we make the decisions we do at our agency, who makes these decisions, viewing if our decision making creates barriers or bridges to care for Black children, youth and their families, and ways to bring the needs of Black children, youth, and families into the conversation. Another way we can start to do this is by bringing Black youth to the table for decision making through the use of youth engagement committees.

[Opal Adriana]

Research is one of the most powerful ways to prove that anti black racism is a true contemporary era problem, that not only affects youth on the social matters but on the mental health matter. Also, trough research is one of the most faithful way to evaluate the extent, the application and the realistic look of Anti Black Racism prevention programs and policies.

[Catherine]

I was surprised to learn in the lectures that there is already a lot of data and recommendations about Black youth but no real willpower to implement it or to do systemic changes. It is a good example of the deep roots of anti-Black racism. This realization encourage me to make sure that I share these research and this data around me, with colleagues. It must be a collective effort to find ways not only to acknowledge this research, but also to put it into action.

[mandaxrosa]

Yes this is true. Also looking back at the lectures – we should be implemented the Youth Challenge Fund to have even more of an impact as well, and back this up with credible research too.

[Allison]

Research is extremely effective in bringing awareness to the many contributing obstacles presented to black youth in Canadian and Ontarian society. In order to better understand each individual child, it is necessary to be aware of what obstacles they may encounter on a daily basis. Being a white priviledged person myself, I am blind to most of these obstacles and forms of oppression. It takes continuous study, engagement in conversation, understanding of myself and a push to do hard work in order to better serve my students. Especially students of colour. It can be very disheartening to learn that an alarming amount of people of colour experience racialized trauma in this “multi-cultural” society. As knowing more can be hard, I can only imagine how it must feel to live this truth everyday. Of course I am trying to incorporate more representation of people of colour into my lesssons. I make sure to be aware of the needs of students of colour in a more heightened nature as I want to make sure all of my students feel safe and cared for. Naturally with more learning, I can see my behaviour changing to better accomodate black children and their family members in a society that is still very far behind. As we continue on this journey together I am hopeful that our country is moving in the right direction. The change is slow, but I do see more and more people committing to the work. I am also hopeful that by us doing this work now, by academics sharing their research and findings, today’s youth will not only thrive as they grow-up, but will find themselves living in a kinder gentler society. I am also hopeful that more people of colour are gaining leadership positions in our country and province, helping to shape the framework of tomorrow. The best thing about the research conducted, is that it exposes the truth as to how white supremacy has shaped Canada, and still controls every aspect of our everyday life. Once you see it, you can’t unsee it. There may be some that prefer to keep their heads in the sand, but there are enough of us to ensure that white supremacy and our racist society can no longer be hidden away.

[Brianna]

Utilizing research is crucial to bringing about change in the personal and social barriers that Black adolescents, their families, and their community encounter. The results of the research could be used to develop an action plan for problems affecting Black children and youth. Additionally, it is crucial to pay attention to Black youth since their experiences with discrimination and the challenges they have in getting access to healthcare services to provide information on the presence of anti-Black racism.

[Yasmein]

Using data and research to showcase ways that anti-black racism exists in the system and how it harmfully impacts the well-being, choices, and opportunities made available or in better words limited for the youth. We must be proactive in trying to implement best practices in the infrastructure to ensure equal opportunities for Black youth, families, and communities.

[Charissa]

Community-based research is so important! We need to challenge what white supremacy tells us is “valid” (i.e. what is produced by academics, colonial institutions and non-profits, and what is written down). The knowledge, experience, and leadership that comes from communities directly impacted by the research needs to be centered not only in the topics but in the creation and implementation of the research project itself.

[Andrew]

I agree with what Tracy-Ann said earlier. In my field of practice, the service provider is generally positioned as the ‘expert’. Part of decolonizing our work might involve stepping out of this mindset and repositioning ourselves as supports. It is crucial to listen to and centre the voices of Black youth and families, to seek to understand them, and to serve as resources that they can access to meet their own goals. Recognizing the impacts of ABR on wellbeing, workers can also seek to understand how the intersectionalities of youth and families are received by and embedded within their social contexts, and develop a collaborative understanding of how related experiences might pertain to their goals and their access to services.

Some of the recommendations indicated by research can be approached, in part, through clinical skills and frameworks. For example, a strengths-based approach can provide services in a non-stigmatizing way, and it can support both workers and Black youth/families to recognize and celebrate strengths. Client-centred care – for example, supporting youth/families to identify their own goals – can mitigate power imbalances and centre the voices of youth and families within service provision. Where workers lack cultural competence, a practice of cultural humility can help them to better understand the experiences of youth and families and to create more culturally appropriate spaces. A practice of reflexivity can also help workers to critically examine the beliefs and assumptions, including those behind their professional frameworks and methods, and help them to provide services that are more tailored to the needs of youth/families.

[Melissa]

Yes to this entire post! I took a social work course a couple years ago and the prof said something that has forever changed me. We were having a discussion around IPV and said that many social workers might believe their job is to get the woman out of the abusive situation. She told us that it wasn’t. That the woman was the expert of her life and she gets to decide what is best for her.

We need to let people be the experts of their lives. For me, a big part of my anti-racism journey is about unlearning a lot of things. Knowing the research for me is a key to that unlearning process. The research allows me to challenge myself, the policies and procedures around me, and the institution I work for.

[Tana]

We should use the research findings to do more than support youth and their families. While I think that it is important, it seems that the real issue is stems from society. These findings should be shared with all communities so that they can begin to understand the plights and internal struggles that happen within the Black community. Microaggressions happen everyday to BIPOC people after years of discussing its impact. Share the research findings as much and as often as possible until the message is clear to all.

[Venessa]

First off, we need better ways to collect data, create questions that are not coded and come from a trauma-informed lens when collecting data. It’s important to identify the demographic the information is coming from and what institutionalized effects are in play in the way the data is collected, how questioned are asked, what non-verbal cues are present and what language is used.

We can use good, decolonized research to remove any Canadian superiority over the US re: slavery and educate all youth on the real historical impact that the Black community has on Canada. We may share the positive statistics and research that exist and show how they have been hidden by “the people who wrote the history books”.

More opportunities need to become available for Black woman to occupy C-level positions, and make it a norm. Provide opportunities for women so young girls can have positive role models. We need to identify the overrepresentation of Black youth in CAS and juvenile detention centres and challenge that reality.

[Norma]

We seem to have more anecdotes rather than accurate research data on what is happening in our society in Canada. A few schools, such as the TSB, focus on using research data to make changes and engage students and families, engage in hiring different practices, such as hiring a Black Director and more Black teachers. Do they plan to gather stats on whether this makes a difference for students over the next few years?

Does York U collect data about racism among students, and what is done with this data?

[Jasmine]

Explore ways to better collect and analyze data that highlights intersectionality of Black youth/families as well as incorporate different methodologies for collecting/analyzing data with greater openness to data that is not quantitative in nature.

[Danica]

I feel as if in certain contexts, the data is there, it is a question of maximising its value in the analysis stage or of better designing the survey. Schools in Ontario are mandated to collect yearly data on school climate, from students, staff and parents. Various demographic questions provide information regarding ethnicity, orientation, gender, etc. The survey includes questions regarding safety at school, bullying, disciplinary practices, perception of equity. Yet, we do not receive any statistics that present the school climate responses in the context of the demographic data. I would like to know how particular group of students, including Black students, feel about these issues so our team can work more intentionnaly and precisely to make things better. As well, the response rate for staff and parents is very low. This limits our ability to draw valid conclusions given potential response biases. We obviously have to do better work as an organisation to make the survey more accessible and to motivate all stakeholders to share their feedback. This data has huge potential to help school boards and individual schools react, design and plan from an anti-racist perspective.

[Trai Patrick]

I feel as if more research needs to be done and completed. I remember taking a research class last semester and I did my research topic on black LGBTQ+ youth in Canada, and I remember searching for articles and it was a very small pool of peer-reviewed articles that I had to choose from. I think more qualitative research needs to be done with black youth. This module mentions how black youth resort to social media influence and that hyper-masculinity, as that’s what they know and can almost rely on, because those black professionals who are successful don’t go back and explain their journey. I think by having more qualitative data, researchers could dive deep into what these black youth are specifically looking for when it comes to role models and breaking stigmatization when it comes to being black and breaking barriers, exploring options to better themselves.

[Meighan]

At my current work place, we are working on gathering previous data on strategies in hopes that this will support our youth. It is very important to remember the past and allow for voices of black youth and their families to be heard.

[Tracey-Ann]

The dismantling of anti- Black racism requires a collective approach. Social professionals and Black youths must work together to implement strategies to support Black youth and their families. Black youths are experts of their own experiences. Therefore, their knowledge and lived experiences are key for their betterment. However, for betterment to occur we must deodorize our colonial teachings. Additionally, we must implement an anti-oppressive, cultural appropriate and holistic framework to care.

[Alyssa]

I had the pleasure to help in a research study on anti-black racism in TDSB schools, learning how to create programming that is intersectional and addresses oppressive systems. We gathered data from the students and teachers involved, and such data will be used to help determine how teachers should be teaching anti-oppressive topics to diverse students. This study showed me the importance of using research to help highlight the impact of anti-black racism on youth and their communities.

[Joanne]

At my workplace we’ve loosely collected data and yet we haven’t used it effectively nor monitored it and checked it again the goals we’ve set. The goals we’ve set need to be more measureable and connect to the data we collect otherwise it’s not just useless it’s criminal. This I learned in module 4 and I appreciate it! Here’s to collecting data and making it meaningful by checking in with it and our goals on a bi-montly basis and thoroughly twice yearly.

[Tami]

The most important action we can take is to share and know the stats to inform others and to stay on top of them. Spreading the information and informing places where we work, friends and family. Research does not lie.

It is vital to keep the voices of Black youth and families centred. Referencing stats and authentic experiences within agencies/systems/organizations to change and rebuild culturally relevant and competent practices.

Research data is irrefutable, there is no room for arguments or debates. Drawing on research provides the facts. The most important action we can take is to share and know the stats to inform others and to stay on top of them. Spreading the information and informing places where we work, friends and family. Research does not lie.
It is vital to keep the voices of Black youth and families centred. Referencing stats and authentic experiences within agencies/systems/organizations to change and rebuild culturally relevant and competent practices.
Research data is irrefutable, there is no room for arguments or debates. Drawing on research provides the facts.

[Adrienne]

This section of the course was hugely helpful to me as someone who has studied in depth the root and impact of anti-Black and anti-Indigenous racism in an American context. It’s so common that Americans assume things are much better in Canada. This information illuminated for me that I have much more to learn about anti-Black research history in Canada, and I will pursue further opportunities to learn! One thing that I will definitely take moving forward as a researcher is the importance of collecting disaggregated race/ethnicity data so as not to conflate the experiences of participants. I’m reminded that research is a powerful tool in the pursuit of equity, but without conscious intentional anti-racist strategies research contributes to the harm.

[Unsoo]

Research findings are a way to communicate with and convince people who do not know or admit the reality. Reasonable people my accept facts based on research findings more easily than emotional loaded opinions. However, “facts” don’t mean just quantitative results. It can be results of qualitative research related to personal experiences, anecdotes, and interviews as well. Especially acknowledging the community members related to the research topics will work as a powerful source of research and also implementing, making use of the results of the research. Researchers should involve community members collecting data for the research, report the results to them, and apply the results with them.

[Erika]

I wonder if it’s helpful to show how research has informed changes to practice, policy and programs. It’s one thing to hear the research, stats, and data etc, but then to turn it into action. Sometimes, I think this is where research lags. I appreciate hearing stories, and examples of how change has been enabled by research. So I suppose more research and practice partnerships could be an idea?

[Jonah]

I think the most important thing we can do is to remember the stats and make sure to center the voices of black youth and families in order to build a culturally competent practice – the point that really stuck with me was the importance of cultural competence as opposed to simply having a clinician or worker who is of the same race.

[Natalie]

I agree and I think that social service/human-service agencies have an obligation to start (if they aren’t already) collecting race-based data and/or disaggregating their data to examine both the ethno-racial identities of service users and how service outcomes vary by ethno-racial identity. Without this information, it has been my experience that many agencies/organizations continue to operate under the guise of “polite racism” believing that the problem of anti-Black racism is “out there” versus within their own organization, its policies, program development and service delivery models.

[Shannon]

I definitely agree. I also think there must be a deliberate effort on the behalf of researchers to conduct research in decolonized ways that allow Black communities to access the research. I feel like often, research on racialized folk, though possibly well-intentioned, is often extractive. That is, it is done to get funding, finish a dissertation, etc., and the community itself rarely benefits longterm.

The Jane and Finch Community Research Partnership offers us one way to rethink what research could look like in such communities. I have found it a really helpful place to start rethinking my own scholarship.