Member Cecilia
MemberForum Replies Created
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I agree a lot with the comments others have made. We must let these youth speak for themselves and advocate for themselves about these issues. It is our place to help them learn to do this in an effective way as well and even at times to provide those platforms for them to speak. Within my work as a child and youth practitioner we strive to do this a lot, and learn to hear other people out and make them feel supported through this work we do.
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I think anti-Black racism is still a problem in Ontario/Canada because ABR is deeply seated in our institutions and social practices. I also think race and class go hand in hand and so the politics of poverty are also nourished by anti-Black racism. I believe that due to systemic erasure of canada’s history of slavery, anti-Black racist policies in education, health care, employment and child welfare that we’ve participated/and continue to participate in growing a collective amnesia that allows many ‘born here’ canadian’s to believe that anti-Black racism doesn’t exist here and that if it does it’s just isolated, or one bad apple whether it’s police, teachers, politicians or citizens. Settler canadian’s like me have also been taught that is not as bad as the american’s have it and that we should be grateful for being here. So the minority myth helps folx like me uphold these systems of inequity through support and belief that there is nothing that we need to do because anti-Black racism does not exist here.
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I can create more space and make room for the diverse stories and experiences of Black youth. In the work I do around masculinities a lot of care and intention is taken to prepare our space where participants authentic selves are welcome. It means being more intentional of naming and invoking the importance of Black experiences in our spaces, to elevate the voices, joys, and struggles of diverse Black masculine experiences and it also means advocating institutionally for the hiring of Black staff to lead this work.
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This is beautiful, thank you for sharing! We (at YouthREX) recently hosted a (short) film screening and discussion centred on creating healing spaces for young Black men. It was a really engaging and inspiring event; I would recommend checking it out, if you have the time. (You can find a recording of the event and a link to the short film here.)
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Listen! I still find there are some in my sphere of influence who do not trust or believe the lived experience that Black youth and families share with us. One simple thing I can do is advocate for us to listen, engage, and earnestly respond to the stories and experiences that are vulnerably shared with us.
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I agree much with what other people are saying about this. Accepting our biases, thoughts, beliefs, etc. and challenging or learning from them is important in this case. As well, much of what we do in my practice again is what other people have said in putting our thoughts aside and hearing those other people out, learning not from our assumptions but from other people’s actual experience.
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I think there is not enough acknowledgment of the issues that black youth face within Ontario and globally thus why anti-black racism exists. Many people do not talk enough of these issues or advocate for them in order to stop them. Also, we are not taught enough about these issues and it seems they are kept mostly out of the spot-light. For example, even though we have heard a lot about innocent black lives being taken due to anti-black racism, it is often that these cases are only heard of once others find out about it and voice them not just in the news already. Moreover, many of these issues are taken out of context and misconstrued within media for example how George Floyd’s and other innocent black people’s deaths have been seen in so many different ways, some even horrible and continuing to promote anti-black racism behind them. This is why I value these learning opportunities as it helps me better understand what I do not know about these issues.
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I am currently in the child and youth care program at Centennial College in Toronto. It is my final semester and we have discussed much of this topic over the last three years of my schooling as child and youth care practitioners work with a variety of people. One thing we have discussed is to simply examine much of our own biases, beliefs, thoughts and more and what their impact may be on others, especially black children, youth and families we work with. We also try to keep in mind any of these things when working with anyone as we do not want them to interfere with the work we are doing and we want our work to be client focused. Moreover, allowing for black youth within our practice to feel welcomed and understood through not only this but through the implementation of practices such as this that center on them is important. For example this could be more discussion of black history, the BLM movement and those similar to it, racial discrimination and injustices that may be in practice, laws, etc. and I think advocating for black youth and helping them advocate for themselves.
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<font face=”inherit”>One ‘simple thing’ I’ve been considering recently is being aware of the unspoken messaging Black youth experience in their first interaction with my agency, and unpacking what that messaging conveys to them about their ability to feel their experience and authenticity are welcome here.</font>
<font face=”inherit”>While there are deep layers to that (and that comes with the necessity of</font><font face=”inherit”> the staff to do the work to back up the message that it’s a safe space), a more simple component might be on the visual cues we are sending to youth in the space.</font>
<font face=”inherit”>There are more obvious (though of course, still very important) aspects such as </font>representation<font face=”inherit”> of the staff they see (on all levels) and the advertisements and signage for our agency. But on a simple level, this course has challenge me to consider what about my personal office/intake space (signs, slogans, even sometimes attire) that sets a tone for youth from the get-go before they are even invited to begin sharing.</font>
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There are many things that I’m processing and considering following these lectures when examining how I can improve my practice as a mental health worker in the community. The one thing though that is standing out in my mind as something small and simple that I could start doing right away is asking Black youth with whom I am working during initial meetings if they have any concerns or hesitations about working with someone who is white. Potential barriers, blind spots, and power imbalances are things that I consider, think of, and often discuss with my team members, but they’re rarely something I’ve named out loud to my youth.
Additionally, something I was reminded of in listening to this set of lectures was to be mindful of how the mental burden and burnout from racial injustice that Black youth experience impacts their day-to-day living and potentially their work with me. It reminded me that I could do better to check-in and to bear witness to this, as a part of my role in supporting their mental health. This too I will strive to incorporate in my practice. -
Anti-Black racism requires people to face uncomfortable truths –that anti-Black racism does exist and it is far worse than many Ontarians and Canadians think.
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Thank you so much for the playlist…saved me from going back and using Shazam to capture all the songs… Love every song but 20 10 20 Burna Boy and Case by Teni love them!!!
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One simple thing I can do to support centre Black Youth wellbeing is to continue to deeply listen to what Black youth have to say and share without judgment while being empathetic, validating their experiences and feelings and empowering them to self-advocate. For this to be successful and not harmful I will engaging in continuous self reflexivity and reflection and hold myself accountable for constantly unpacking any biases, judgements or idea I have learned.
One thing my organization could do is to create a panel or board of Black Youth to support and inform the program and services provided. I believe compensation should also be provided to Black youth for their work in their as well.
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Thank you for sharing! The must in the videos was so great!
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For sure! The mental health stigma within black communities strongly need to be addressed. Black youth especially are provided little to no support in relation to their mental health because of such prejudice thoughts on black individuals and their mental health.
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I strongly agree Tarena, black representation is a key factor in even encouraging other black individuals to participate in any type of change. Black youth especially, are so afraid of being let down or ignored by those who oppressed them that it now needs to be someone who is closely apart of their community and a clear representation of themselves, so that they can have role models that look like them.
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Georgina, your comment really allowed me to throughly think about all the experience I’ve had within the mental health/social service felid. I feel like many services almost provide programs and changes towards black youth either has a ministry accomplishment or as a check box and once that box is checked, it’s as if the duty and responsibility with it, is gone. Too many times have I witnessed the creation of programs and committees end up falling apart due to the lack of follow up.
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Hi Mike, I really value your point on how black youth need to be compensated for their involvement in various services and programs, as this is one of many issues individuals within black communities face; lack of financial support. Due to the lack of income within black communities it is so common for these youth to look towards illegal and/or dangerous fast money options which then to a slippery slope of events.
there various strategies you provided are also very valuable and worthy or trying. I like how you really stressed the concept of allowing youth to share their feedback because in my opinion that is one of the tasks that easily gets slipped under the rug in these services and programs we have.
So thank you for your insight! 🙂
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Definitely! Well said Andri
The educational system in general needs a lot of work in regards to setting up black youth to actually succeed in life, once they leave. It’s sad, the suspension and drop out rates are way to high within the black community
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Diversifying our feeds is so important; thanks for the recommendation, Emily!
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Yes! An Evidence Brief is in development, and we will share a link here when it has been added to the Knowledge Hub. 🙂
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Hi Jenny, thank you for sharing your opinion and experience. It can feel so frustrating to read/see the research and data that clearly demonstrates these various types of discrimination and racism towards black youth, families and within their communities.
I completely agree, yes the data is right there for all of the world to see, yet they (government and authoritative individuals) continue to persuade us to think that it is non existent, which sadly some people actually do end up believing.
I really like how you pointed out that only recently anti black racism approaches have been acknowledged in certain societies, because it’s true. In my opinion people don’t think about the injustice black individuals face everyday and the discrimination/prejudice they go through, until something extreme happens that you can’t turn a blind eye to.
It makes me wonder; before something extreme has to happen to a black youth or individuals or within a black community, how can we help these individuals who choose to turn a blind eye to acknowledge the historical and present day struggles black communities face?
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So agree Sureka, I’m always here for promoting awareness. I believe awareness is key in achieving any type of change or shift in the barriers that black youth, families and their communities face.
I also really appreciate your point reflecting back on the lectures and how they stated that one size does not fit all. I believe that, that is also an issue that various programs and organizations are guilty of; treating every youth and their situations the same, therefore providing everyone with the same support and help regardless of their experience which can be problematic.
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Glad to hear that the lectures from this platform allowed you to reflect on the impact that reconstructing the criminal justice system, as well as others, can have on the Black communities.
The lectures also helped me reflect on different ways in which my workplace can better support these high rates of Black Youth within the various government systems.
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Hi Jenny!
Thank you for sharing this. It is so important to see the issue intersectionaly and listening and amplifying Black Disabled Voices.
Here is a great Activist I follow and enjoy:
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Yes!! Encouraging young people to evaluate their use is so important, and I think this is where harm reduction approaches are really helpful. If we think of cannabis use as a continuum or matrix, we can recognize that not all use is harmful, but that certain types of use are associated with greater risks. We need to provide young people with the information and the tools that allow them to weigh the risks and benefits of their use. On that note, I think this workbook is a wonderful resource for helping youth (and adults) understand their relationship with substances.
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I definitely agree Haley! Representation in decision-making and leadership spaces is so important. I also believe that validating and acknowledging the experiences of black youth is vital to improving policies and practices around services for black youth.
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An evidence brief on best practices for setting up or engaging youth groups for BIPOC youth would be a valuable addition to the eXchange. Including a section on engaging BIPOC youth in virtual groups during COVID-19 would be helpful too.
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I agree! I’ve added that question to my notes for future discussions. Thanks!
