Member Amina
MemberForum Replies Created
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Great playlist! I liked how the music opened and closed each module. My favourites here are Glory, Rise Up, and Brown Skinned Girl.
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One simple thing I can do is become more reflective in my practice, as this will allow me to identify when my implicit thoughts are hindering my ability to truly understand the experiences of my client. It is also important that I continue to educate myself on the well-being of Black youth whether be through research, webinars, literature, etc.
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To echo some of the comments already mentioned I think it is important to provide safe and secure spaces for these youth where they feel heard, their strengths are validated, and their experiences can be acknowledged. In addition, I also believe those working with youth also need to be provided with further education in order to engage with these youth in a way that provides them with a sense of empowerment and support.
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Just finished Module 1. Heavy stuff. There was so much I didn’t know. I wish more people had access to lessons like these – or maybe the desire to inform themselves.
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A diverse and amazing collection of artists. We have a Section 23 school that is run Monday to Friday for the young people accessing our services. Now with Covid restrictions allowing for meals to be shared together again (of course following all health recommendations and social distancing protocols), I would love to hear this playlist being played in our common areas/dining room over meal times and between classes. Music has the uncanny ability to bring us all together and this playlist would be an awesome addition to our site.
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I agree with your statement Luciano, as well as many others as to why anti Black racism still a problem in Ontario. The history of Canada’s role in colonization isn’t embedded in our curriculum in school, unless we have sought out education like this training, I don’t think most Canadians have any true idea of the role our country has played in anti Black racism. I can admit that the Heritage Moments on television that boasted about Canada’s role in the Underground Railway, was about the amount of “education” I received when I was younger. It’s shameful and needs to be rectified.
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THIS part! 🙌🏾
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I think the research findings indicate to us that there are still large gaps within the system that need to be rectified. As mental health workers, social workers, and child and youth workers, we must continuously be seeking out these sources of information in order to expand our personal practices and gain the tools and knowledge needed to challenge the system as a collective unit.
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I truly agree with you Danielle. I feel that research concerning how to combat anti-black racism and the ways in which many black youth are susceptible to various forms of structural and systemic racism, highlights the extensive work that needs to be done on our part as youth workers to address these issues and provide the most competent care for these youth. It should be our priority to constantly pursue research and resources that can further our knowledge in order to dismantle these oppressive systems and also use them to inform our colleagues and peers.
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One thing I would like to do at the organization I work for is gather better demographic information about the families we currently work with to help identify gaps in our support. I am currently in the process of developing both a survey and an application form and I want to make sure I am asking the right question and in the right way.
I would like to ask the families to identify their ethnicity(ies). Does anyone have tips on what the option I list should include or other tips on asking this question in an inclusive and sensitive way? Thank you!!
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In my opinion, anti-black racism isn’t a problem only in Ontario. It is a global struggle we face for ages that has its roots in the economic-political-social system we live in. We can’t forget that slavery was the economic power of Europeans for centuries, and it ended has less than two centuries, but it doesn’t mean that equity and equality began to be part of our ancestor’s lives in a blink. We are here, in this moment of history, discussing it. As Asante Haughton claimed, we shouldn’t have to say this. However, here we are and will be to spread our fight, conquer our rights, and freed our people.
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I definitely agree with those points. Anti-black racism has relegated black people to the bottom of the global economic system, which was founded, and in many ways still thrives off of exploitation. I believe that in order to make any type of progress in combatting anti-black racism in Ontario, the Canadian and greater global economic system will need to focus on equitable policy changes to offset the history of systemic racism.
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We need to create a space and continue dialogue among the staff about the culture around anti-black racism in our workplace and everything that it entails. In turn the same thing needs to be given to the youth.
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I agree with you Chantelle, open dialogue in the workplace needs to happen every day around anti-black racism and how improvements can always be made as an organization, and no one stays complacent with how things are. I believe for productive conversation to happen, individuals need to be uncomfortable.
I see many organizations, especially schools, sit at a table and discuss improving black youth’s experience in schooling. At the table, you have the principal, vice-principal, teachers, social worker and CYW’s, all individuals of importance but the EXPERTS of their own experience, our black youths. How do you have a productive, meaningful and impactful conversation if the voice of the youth is not at the forefront? We can centre black youths in our work by bringing them to the table.
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I agree with what you have said here, Shelly. I find that in Canada, we have been sold the myth that Canadians are “nice”, “polite”, “peacekeepers”… thus, the idea that anyone or any system in our country might be racist is hard for many to fathom. I’ve heard it said that while Canadians might be “nice”, we often are not “kind”, and I think that sums us up really well. We are “nice” in that we don’t want to rock the boat, but in so doing, we also allow the status quo – which is white supremacy – to continue. We are so “polite” that we can’t discuss racism; it becomes a topic that is “off limits” when having conversations, and racism can’t be fought, let alone eradicated, if it’s not discussed or even acknowledged. Without talking about it, admitting it occurs and starting to recognize our own parts in the system, it perpetuates.
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Thank you sharing Shelly. I totally agree that Canada has created a façade that is quite damaging to black people and other people of colour. As a black individual, the only history that was taught in schools was around slavery, Martin Luther King and Rosa Parks. I hope that school and work administration will start to have more of these conversations.
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This is amazing! I also feel that centering black youth and giving them a safe and comfortable space to share their thoughts and concerns would be very helpful and progressive to their growth and better the ways that I can personally help them. Making them feel seen and heard, as well as ensuring that they know I care and want to assist them, however I can. Furthermore, revising policies and programs to be more inclusive of black youth and work to combat anti-black racism, would be beneficial in any organization and institution that supports youth.
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I definitely have to agree with you. Inclusion is extremely important when even creating programs that support black youth because they should be curated with black voices and opinions strongly in mind. These services must center black people’s thoughts and what would best fulfill their needs to feel comfortable and create necessary change.
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I completely agree with you Lindsay. In school, I found that anti-black racism and the history of Canada and colonization in this area was never taught in the curriculum and slavery was somehow deemed to be only ‘exclusive’ to America. Although I am black, I was not fully aware of Canada’s shocking and terrifying past in relation to black Canadians and the racial violence and discrimination that they faced. In not teaching this part of history to students, I feel this further perpetuates anti-black racism in Ontario and diminishes the importance of this core education. Lastly, I think if it was added to the curriculum, it would allow black students’ the ability to feel more seen.
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I agree Lindsay, the history of colonialism and racism was invisible when I was in elementary and high school (many years ago) and continues to be invisible today. I asked some recent high school graduates what they remembered learning and they also did not learn anything about this part of history. Our elementary and high school curriculum needs to change.
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Thanks Kaitlyn (and those who replied to her post). The reality that our public education system continues to whitewash history sits in stark contrast to stated goals in their “Education Equity Action Plan.” It was only through post-secondary education that I learned more about BIPOC truths and experiences. This learning has not ended and I deeply appreciate the opportunity to listen and learn from this platform.
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I would like to echo what Kaitlyn is highlighting regarding the education system. Canada’s history of colonialism and racism is completely invisible in the current curriculum and only if one is undertaking their own post secondary education around social justice is it part of one’s education.
This proves the invisibility of white supremacy in the Canadian school system and that we should take note of what information is shared and what remains behind closed doors. There is no reason that in high school history classes this is completely omitted from the curriculum.
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The current research findings demonstrate that the challenges of Anti-Black Racism within the systems such as the Mental Health Sector continue to show the gaps. It has been shown that Black youth struggle to access mental health resources and services until they are experiencing significant enough symptoms that police or hospitalization occurs. As well as, it shows that due to barriers for Black youth in communities they may not be aware of what resources and services are available to them.
It is the duty of mental health agencies and organizations to work against Anti-Black Racism with trainings, coordinate ways to address ABR, partner with Black-led organizations, and include the voices of Black youth. I find that we notice diversity in front-line staff; however, as we work our way to the top levels of organizations there is less representation. The less representation we have of people of colour at the top it makes it challenging to shift access for Black youth to our mental health services. I believe that we need to continuously challenge these systems and structural levels to ensure changes are made to support our Black youth throughout the communities and better understand the barriers they face each day.
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Great point, Andri! Post secondary institution have to do a better job at creating a environment that is welcoming to Black students. Once Black students enter post-secondary institutions, there are left to navigate a system without any guidance.
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I totally agree with you Samia! Black history course should be a required course in all schools in Canada and the US. It is also important for educators and teacher education programs to take a more proactive step in acknowledging the harm that the education system has on Black students. For example: streaming, dress codes, lack of culturally relevant material…
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Sanjana, great points! I agree with you it is partly the erasure of Black culture in Canada and minimizing any contributions Black people have made throughout Canadian history. I think through this, ABR is minimized, if it is actually recognized at any point. Also, it is hard to speak up, as a BIPOC person, in workplaces when experiences of racism take place toward oneself or others. These reasons, and many others, allow for the perpetuation of ABR.
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Hi Sanjana, thanks for your comments!
I chose to reply to your comment specifically and the idea of Erasure and the Black experience in Canada as non-existent, or unimportant, or insignificant and invaluable and relatively new. I found all of module 1 to be of great importance to Canada and Canadians developing awareness of the histories of Blacks on this land and all of the significant incidents, migrations, exposures, programs, policies, promises, that are the tale of how Black people belong to Canada.
How can anti-black racism be challenged and changed if there has never been an official acknowledgement that it even exists and has a defined history or existence in Canada? How will systems and institutions change without evidence that there is need for change? How do the people advocate for change when the evidence in their favour is being hidden or destroyed, erased from record?
It is extraordinary privilege to have these resources, dialogues, references and sources arranged for our personal benefit and knowledge. It is absolutely necessary to have to access to the arsenal of information and data that provides a basis and informs the continuous path forward towards change.
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I agree!! I also agree with so many other opinions and insights. Anti-Black racism is a globle stuggle. I live in the States (Arkansas). As, I’m learning (captivating) of Canada’s history of colonialiam and racism – I forgot at times and had to STAY mindful that the focus is on Canada’s (Ontario) anti-Black racism youth & families and not the USA. Both Canada & America. The fight is hard. I will continue to fight for and with our youth in nurturing each one to use their vocies, talents and leadership.
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I agree, and I think it’s important to learn about where this indifference comes from and how we can prevent it from continuing to develop. Personally, I think it comes from a lack of exposure to different cultures when growing up. People from monocultural communities are more likely to not understand the lives (both good and bad) of other cultures. This later develops into the indifference and inconsiderate behaviour we see as some of these people don’t understand why what seems like common sense to them may be impossible for others.
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History is so important. My grandmother was born in 1910 and she used to tell us about KKK cross burnings in SW Ontario that she saw when she was a young girl.
This is the history that needs to be taught in schools.
