Member Adam
MemberForum Replies Created
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We engage with our youth through either Google meet or zoom. Twice a week we do check-ins and we provide support to them…we allow them space to share whats been happening in their world. We ask to be invited into their life to help explore suggestions with any challenges they maybe be facing.
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In order to move from research to practice, I think we also need to consider how to have difficult conversations about race and racial injustice. This toolkit outlines ten practices that may be helpful in pushing for organizational change (and getting others on board).
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Awesome, thanks for sharing this. I’ll pass it on to a youth group I volunteer with.
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Thank you Saunia!
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Turntables by Janelle Monae
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I agree… If you don’t talk about it… its not real. Up until recent few years I would have said Ontario is progressive and racism does not exist in the same light as it does in others places. I was wrong, very wrong.
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Music is food to the soul. This is a great playlist and I find myself dancing at the beginning and the end of each lecture. I am so happy to have access to the playlist. Blessings!
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If we do not identify that anti-Black racism is a problem here in Ontario, or Canada even, then it will continue to prevail. Canada is known as the friendly, polite, apologetic country. Racism tends to be thrown very subtly and it is spoken in a very soft whisper and served with a well intentioned smile. The comments about “those people” and “I am not racist but”, comments that is supposed to excuse anything else that comes after that disclaimer phrase. Those who are experiencing it tend to ignore the racist as best as they can, to keep moving forward in spite of. While the racists do not see anything wrong with their behaviour, as their privilege affords them certain power.
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I believe anti-Black racism continues to prevail in Ontario and more greatly, Canada as Canadians cling to the ideals of multiculturalism, cognitive dissonance and the notion of “white exceptionalism” as mentioned by Dr.Vidya Shah in lecture 1.3. As Canada is continually compared to our southern neighbors (arguably the less racially intolerable part of North America), the United States, the branding of Canada as “friendly, progressive, democratic” really feeds into the prides of Canadians. Similarly, with the finely curated history shown and taught to Canadians, many fail to see how our current systems oppressed and benefitted from the efforts and lives of Indigenous, Blacks and other racialized groups. In turn, the Canadian identity of “niceness and politeness” provides many with a sense of comfort and ignorance. Sure, we [as Canadians] might have systemic racism and sure, we might inherently hold biases both conscious and unconscious, but as long as we are not “overtly” racist and the world continues to celebrate our commitment to “multiculturalism” and our “accepting demeanor,” than racism will never be a “Canadian” problem (or at least a large enough, visible problem that needs to be addressed). The “Canadian identity” will be enough of a protective factor in the face of cognitive dissonance that Canadians in the face of racism will simply reinforce the notion that “I’M not racist like that, our country prides itself on our diversity!” This singularity feeds into the idea that racists are anomalies, the mediation/exemption of racism within oneself as we tend “not” to engage in overt racism as we are “nice,” and the belief that “multiculturalism is somehow equivalent to inclusion” as stated by Dr. Andrea Davis in lecture 1.4.
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One simple thing I can do is provide an inclusive and safe space for Black youth to be able to use their voices without anyone overpowering. As an organization, we can revise policies so they are up-to-date in terms of racism and discrimination (and what it looks like) and also providing opportunities for Black youth to participate with the community.
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I feel as though anti-Black racism is still a problem in Ontario because people continue to acknowledge it exists but don’t commit to making changes. I think back to a workplace I was once at and we had ongoing educationals at staff meetings about anti-Black racism. There were employees who would complain and say things like ‘we already know this’, ‘why are we talking about this again’? We had some really good conversations around knowledge being powerful but not helpful without commitment for action and change.
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Thank you! Great playlist, inspirational while I’m working away.
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Thank you! Many of these artists are new to me but I loved all the music snippets and love that you’ve put the playlist so I can listen more!
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Because there is a knowing/doing gap. We know there are inequities. We know anti-Black racism is a problem. There is a lack of political will to do what community leaders have called for to create change. I liked that this was reflected in the module on data. Black, Indigenous and other people of colour have been consulted so many times. If you’re going to consult, be prepared to actually do something with the data collected, and do it from a bottom-up approach, in true collaboration with Black communities.
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I recently finished watching the second module which focused on “Engaging with Research About Black Youth”. I learned from the research that black youth experience extensive wait times to accessing mental health services, generally almost double the wait times than their white counterparts. A statistic that I found alarming, while not surprising given the ways in which anti-black racism policies and practices are institutionalized. One thing that I can do to center Black youth wellbeing in my work is that I can listen to the experiences of anti-black racism, violence, and trauma that Black youth express and validate their feelings and experiences. I can ensure that when connecting youth to counselling services, that I make every conscious effort to connect Black youth to services within reasonable timeframes and continue to advocate for Black youth to receive appropriate care.
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As a white career development professional, the simplest thing I can do is ask black youth I work with about their lived experiences and how they would like me to support them.
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I think a key thing focused on in the lectures and that I have heard repeatedly in my community is to make it a priority within ones organization to employ Black individuals within your organization. Additionally inviting Black youth into the circle to share their experience and needs openly and to make an active and long standing effort to enact the changes necessary to make their needs a reality. As much as allyship is important I think it is critical to understand that we can never fully comprehend another persons reality and will never have a better idea of what a marginalized group or individual will need/want better than they will.
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In my opinion, anti-Black racism continues to be a problem in Ontario, as government and society are unwilling to acknowledge the years of oppression that the black community has faced and continues to face. The government refuses the make the many suggestions brought forth by black leaders, statistics and government findings that would stop in the oppression of this marginalized community.
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2/2 of my response: My organization would benefit from building partnerships with Black communities to attain a better understanding of the needs within the community I work in.
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Using Race Based Data as a Tool is important to bridging the gaps that are found within the data. This data, if used appropriately, will bring attention to systemic racism but will also give the black youth and their families an opportunity to receive services that would address their needs. It will also challenge the educators, health providers and society as a whole to use reflective practices on how to change how they interact with black families and the youth.
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As a Child and Youth Councellor it is important for us to first focus on Leveraging Space for our youth. I would focus on building a trusting relationship and walk at their pace so that they can feel safe. “Hanging in” as opposed to “hanging out” is important as it will allow you to get to know their interests, hobbies, goals and allow them to be part of their treatment plan. Promoting self advocacy for my clients is important for it will validate their feelings and emotions and thus allowing us to work in a partnership to formulate a treatment plan that will allow them to have a buy in.
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Thank you, Mitch, for sharing your experiences. You’re absolutely right, change really does require ongoing reflection and work.
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This was such an insightful, entertaining, and impactful event! I enjoyed it very much. 😀
Thank you for sharing, Kathe!
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That is so true because sometimes people just want to vent. They don’t necessarily need any advice, they just need an empathetic, non judgmental listening ear. Often times we know what we need/have to do but we just need our side and our voice to be heard. Right or wrong the person had a process and rational behind the thinking/behaviours.
Awesome Alicia!👏🏽
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YES! Alisha, I echo your sentiments.
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Julie, you are so correct in your statement. When you ask about Black history, everyone is reciting American Black history. Canada has a Black history too. Black Americans amplify their voices and we are echoing their experiences. Although hidden, secretly destroyed, and fragmented, we have a history, a story here as well. Our story did not begin with slavery and our presence on this land was not only a result of slavery. So lets start by teaching the true history of all people, and bring colour to the pages.
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Love this playlist. I listen on repeat!! My favourites are Change and Glory however, Preach is not far behind. Thank you for compiling this list.
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While this sounds like a simple thing to say, I do believe this is the bare minimum that we should do, in order to keep empowering those black youth who are seeking services and encourage those who want to but haven’t yet.
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I agree, Alicia! I think that’s a really important step to reverse the more paternalistic approach to programming, where Black communities are told what they should want or need as opposed to being asked and as (if not more) important, having those requests granted. Because there are times where Black communities are asked, but their concerns and recommendations are not actually implemented.
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I think you make many good points, Jae! The one that stood out to me most was when you said that programs should be crafted using youth’s standards. It can be easy to put a lot of time into designing a program that we assume youth will enjoy, but it makes more sense to co-design programs. That can be an empowering experience for Black youth, who are so frequently positioned as the receivers of services as opposed to being seen as valuable contributors to services.
