I am so glad you shared this poem @rubydalvina – these insights are beautiful. I have been reflecting and speaking about Humanism and “Strategic Essentialism” (Gayatri Spivak) lately, discussing the need to address labels and stereotypes without allowing these divisive categories to dehumanize. It is lovely to read a work like this…

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Thank you for sharing this memory @Kathe .

I’m reminded of a short video clip I recorded after the workshop where Eric and Cassidy were discussing the realities of youth work. Critical approaches to youth work blend personal, professional and political spheres, but youth work is often misunderstood and underestimated. As a bit of a…

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For sure, the value of lived experience is terribly underrated and under valued in many instances in the sector. Various perspectives and experiences are needed! Moreover, your point about anti-Black racism operating within workplace cultures (even work places that serve predominantly Black youth/communities) is important to unpack.

I’m sure…

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Yes, change will come!

Hi Claire, Thanks for making this change happen!

Ah, very nice.

I just got a call back explaining that this sign in particular was “missed” when they updated the company policy in 2019. Other signs had been removed and as of today this forgotten sign (at the entrance) has been replaced. At the beginning of the call there was a reference to an email they had received, so congratulations to…

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Thanks for sharing. I am curious about their rationale for this one. I gave them a call and they said they will respond. I’ll share any updates.

Thanks for sharing your insights and concrete ways to close some of these gaps.

I wonder what accountability measures could be put in place to improve relationships between families and schools – especially families who regularly face systemic discrimination and may not have much social capital?

Thanks Alexandra,

I had to return to the lecture (timestamp 21:41) before sharing my opinion.

I believe that “Mental Health” as used in this context is not prescribing any particular “identity” but bringing up a complex continuum that is impacted by social location and labelling.

From my understanding, this is not to suggest that these labels…

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Thanks for sharing these insights.

Conversations about colourism need to be a part of these dialogues and in discussions with young people. Here is a video produced by a colleague, Nayani Thiyagarajah, over 10 years ago on Shadeism: https://vimeo.com/16210769

Video Description: “Shadeism (2010) is an introduction to the issue of shadeism,…

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Hmm… well said. When institutions (and individuals) do more work to say the right things rather than change/address wrongful actions/ideologies, it reinforces systemic oppression and attempts to mask accountability.

More work is needed to confront anti-Black practices and ideologies in earnest so that more people can feel invested in total…

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Excellent points. Thank you for sharing this example of how increased awareness can lead to informed transformation in our personal and professional spaces.

Combatting internalized oppression is a constant process that needs more acknowledgement. I think that Anti-Black racism is an ideology that influences everyone’s perspective, regardless of good intensions.

I agree.

For some, there is more far concern for being socially embarrassed rather than being socially just.

Indeed – personal, organizational and political change is a must and will ultimately benefit everyone.

Thanks for sharing this Stacey, and for your thoughtful prompting question Raven.

I usually come back to the idea of “Strategic Essentialism” whereby we can acknowledge that we are more than racializing lables, AND that racist labels have very real consequences.

So then… while we (at times) Strategically essentialize (simplify) our identities…

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Thanks Christine, this is an important point. Please bring this up during the next Virtual Seminar, this is a crucial observation!

Thank you for sharing. This is no game.

This is crucial…. thanks for sharing this.

As a Black man I am actively combatting anti-Black ideologies that have been so embedded in this culture. The institutional dehumanization of Black peoples is so entrenched that it impacts us all in some way – though Black people face the consequences twice over.

The desire to be seen as…

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Love this part: “…many youth work related environments convey these messages (or writings
on the wall) to black youth and adolescents as a means to create the
illusion of security. While at the same time diminish the struggles of
those same challenges of black educators which are parallel experiences
to those faced by youth and…

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You can say that again!

Unfortunately, talking and theorizing often replaces action and change rather than complimenting it.

We have industries built on the exploiting Black youth and we have industries and careers built on recycling “nuanced” discourses about the said exploitation – and these industries are all cousins… related and rooted…

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Well said!

Greetings Alexis – Yes, Boldness is necessary to promote change.

As I reflect on your statement, I think about the many laws that were founded to protect the property and entitlement of a few instead of justice for the people… and “justice” seems to only be blind towards the trespassers who have access and privilege (with the exception of…

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It is not possible to properly heal if the cause of the illness is ignored.

Racist ideas are widely held, whether or not we are upfront with how these ideas impact our own perceptions and treatment of ourselves and others.

I agree Camille, admitting that there is a problem is certainly a start.

Agreed… mainstream media is a HUGE (re)generator of racist ideas.

Absolutely! In the words of Aaron Neville – “Tell it like it is.” 🎼

I wonder though… once the truth is publicly acknowledged, do the contradictions and cognitive dissonance continue (albeit with more strategic language and token gestures of doing good)? 🤔

In addition to knowing the truth… what are the…

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Hi everyone!

Here is the 📹recording of the February “Teach-in” by Dr. Shawn Ginwright on Healing-Centered Youth Engagement

This was a great event with insightful information and artistic performances.

For more information visit the YouthREX Knowledge Hub link…

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