[Gary A]

I love it! It also honors space to welcome the varying ways of communication beyond ‘terms’ and even ‘words’ but also art, images, sound, and ‘actual feelings.’ What a beautiful future when we deconstruct the sidewalk that brought us to this destination, replace it with access-friendly trails and ponds, and plant a tree with a leafy canopy to sit and listen to its stories.

[Tim]

Hi All: Was discussing this topic with my wife this morning and I shared about the article written by Charles Blow and his powerful and vivid use of metaphors. She shared with me she in the past has been off-put by friends or family bringing up academic terms in conversations she was not familiar with. She shared she just listened to a Brene Brown podcast which included Simon Sinek and Adam Grant on the subject of the current emerging generation and their relationship to work. The whole subject of simple versus academic language came up and Simon Sinek specifically says that when he is communicating his ideas he strives to express them in such a way that a truck driver would understand. Adam Grant challenged him on this saying it was making things too simple but Sinek felt this was important to getting the ideas and concepts out into the world. I have not yet listened to this podcast but I intend to. https://brenebrown.com/podcast/whats-happening-at-work-part-1-of-2/ Final thought. There is language that is appropriate and makes it easier and simpler to convey ideas in the “Academic” sphere. But I believe those who want to reach a wider audience would benefit from striving to finding ways that go beyond academic terms.

[Tim]

Hi All. Really enjoyed this discussion on the use of language and terms. I think all the terms and concepts are very important but also feel that perhaps moving beyond them at times can be helpful for reaching a wider audience. I studied English literature in university and I am also a storyteller and a sometimes writer. I realize that powerful metaphors are one way to help others understand and have powerful ideas stick and gain traction. I want to share this powerful piece of writing by Charles Blow from the New York Times on the horrifying murder of the young black father Tyre Nichols by the Memphis police officers. This is a powerful piece of writing made more vivid and accessible by the use of powerful metaphors. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/27/opinion/tyre-nichols-video.html

The closing paragraph is an example of his use of metaphor: Tyre Nichols’s death isn’t only an individual tragedy; he is now a marquee victim of a predacious system that America has lost its willingness to confront. The untreated wound, still festering, bled through the gauze.

[Natalee]

I think to do this organzations have to start to collaborate. As well, more funding needs to go into programs that support Black youth.

[Natalee]

anti-Black racism is still a problem in Ontario for a vast majority of reasons. One reality is that there are still many people that are not willing to admit that there is anti-Black racism exist. As well, for decades the Black community has shared their experiences, for example carding and Black youth being expelled from high schools at higher rates than other races. These issues are new. I believe after the George Floyd issue, that is when a real focus started on anti-Black racism. The government of Canada also has an anti-Black racism strategy from 2019 – 2022, my question to the government, is simple, do they think a 3 year plan will solve all the issues. A three year plan is only the start. This is one of the main reasons why anti-Black racism is still an issue in Canada. There is just so much the government can do. As well, we have to do our part and continue to work in collabortion to dismantly anti-Black racism.

[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.

[Natalee]

Working towards dismantling anti-Black racism in Canada is an ongoing process. I think the first step is acknowledging that there is an issue in Canada. There is an issue within the systems. We speak about DEI, however, many organisations have not even adjusted their polices and procedures to include DEI practices. As well I believe that taking courses such as this one equips us to better dismantle anti-Black racism. We need to continue to educate and every student going into Post-Seconday Education should have to take a DEI class. To dismantle anti-Black racism starts with us individually and then we work as a collective group to bring forth change. We need to continue to advocate and ensure our leaders in government are also held accountable to ensuring Canada continues to work towards a plan to dismantle anti-Black racism.

[Natalee]

One simple thing I can do to center Black youth wellbeing is to ensure I do not bring any harm to the youth. I have to be mindful of each youth intersectionalities and their lived experiences. I have to create a safe space where they feel safe and included. The one thing that my organization can do to centre Black youth wellbeing is to ensure the youth have a voice and they feel validated and heard.

[Nico]

From a perspective of “simple things to do”, I believe a worthwhile avenue for centering black youth well-being in my work would be to simply speak with black youth throughout my community. This practice would allow me to reformulate perspectives and understandings and further contribute to my ability in aiding black youth with a variety of varying situations that may arise. From an organizational perspective, I believe the same idea of listening will allow for the further understanding of systemic failures, that if addressed and properly changed, will allow the greater prosperity of black youth and their ability to access mental and social supports.

[Char]

I think, as individuals, we have two important ‘first steps’ to dismantling anti-Black racism. The first step is to dismantle anti-Black racism within our own thinking and practice – if we do not recognize how anti-Black racism impacts our own thoughts and actions we cannot fully challenge it (as we may be perpetuating anti-Black racism). The second step, which can be done in conjunction with step one, is to begin naming anti-Black racism when we see it in our workplaces. Creating awareness of anti-Black racism allows us to bring others into conversations about how it shows up in our work and can lead to conversations about how to make impactful changes.

[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.

[Holly]

I think that the Canadian experience is one that positions itself to be rooted so deeply as a country with open arms and acceptance of all and by doing this, experiences of Black communities is silenced or not brought to the forefront. How could a country that strives on multiculturalism miss the mark? That is the question we need to explore with it comes to our history and how it is discussed. I also feel that by doing this/not having the history represented in our history books/classes, etc. it makes it seem like it doesn’t exit/dispels any of the hurt that Black communities have faced within our history. We need to push for escalation in our system, starting in the school systems to the communities and literature that is being shared/gather/disseminated.

[Holly]

My thoughts are to re-evaluate how we connect with families and communities to have a greater voice and this process would support us to meet the diverse and real-lived experiences of these communities as opposed to offering solutions based on preconceived ideas/notions. There isn’t one solution but it’s about being intentional about what advocacy looks like and being very inclusive and giving these the communities the opportunity to lead the conversation. When we create a framework that truly involves the communities it impacts, it will have a great impact because it is informed will better help to shift and inform the conversation and shift the direction. Creating safe spaces is key and it starts by building that trust and appreciation for the lived experiences that these communities face.

[casondra]

I’m only halfway through and already have so many emotions. listening to so many amazing individuals share with so much passion and the spoken words are so impactful.

[casondra]

YES! Yes! Yes! This was an extremely eye opening part of the module for me as well. It boggles my mind to know that in a country that prides itself on multiculturalism the correct history of black people within our country are not taught. It was so interesting to learn and the entire time I was listening and learning so much I remember thinking maybe i would have payed attention in history class if real life history that matters and made a difference was shared. I’m so glad to now know all the information I was so unaware of and can teach my own children and share with youth who may be interested as well.

[casondra]

I agree Tim. This workshop was great and very informative but some of the language is not the typical everyday language most uneducated individuals would use in my opinion. Luckily I just completed a course in anti-oppression and equity otherwise I would have been confused by some of the terms and language used.

[casondra]

I think ignorance plays a big part, whether intentional or unintentional a lot of individuals don’t see how or believe their way of thinking or being is racist. It’s terrible to see but I think lack of education for sure is a huge problem. I try to stay informed and advocate for mistreatment but I was able to learn so much from this workshop and realize even some of my own behaviours aren’t enough.

[Deinera]

Thanks for your reply Tim! Here is more on implementation science: https://impsciuw.org/implementation-science/learn/implementation-science-overview/ I also think you raise an important point about concepts like intersectionality, which are critical but build on understanding of many other concepts, as well (e.g., oppressive, privilege). One image analogy I have used is a spider web, where each line of the web (social structures, like anti-Black racism, sexism, colonialism, etc.) work together to create interlocking systems of oppression, but depending on where we sit (closer to the centre where people hold power or further to the edges where people are marginalized and pushed out), our experiences are shaped in vastly different ways. But it’s always something we are looking for ways to explain, so would love to hear other ideas people have used!

[REX]

Identity categories in demographic questions may not be mutually exclusive; to be inclusive and accurate, we may encourage respondents to select multiple options. Analyzing and sharing this data can prove challenging. Share your questions and strategies for approaching this work in this space.

[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.

[Heather]

The one simple thing that I can start doing today is, allowing the youth I work with speak their mind and truly listen to what they are saying. I have observed that many of the youth i work with do not have a voice, or someone to listen to them, I can try to be that person for them.

[Samantha]

I totally agree!

The biggest challenge there is, is stigma, fear, lack of empathy and understand and lack of accountability! People in positions of power need to take this certificate course, because they do more harm than good. I work for a community mobile crisis team for substance use and mental health. We work in areas such as north rexdale, jane and finch, north york, black creek, and these areas are so stigmatized, it’s disgusting. People are more fearful of “what could happen to them” vs building trust in the community & not having empathy for the black identifying youth who are also living in fear, poverty, mistrust of the government, of the police, being under served & judged. This entire first module really helped me understand the context of this in Canada, and how I may have contributed when I was younger to some of this stigma. I actually cried listening to some of these lectures, as I am hoping to be an actual ally, a subject for change. I will continue calling people out and asking them to take accountability – as the lack of empathy in this country towards the injustice of black youth is horrible. I can’t wait to continue listening to further lecture to continue learning.

[Eugenia]

I think that mental health itself is not a privilege as much as the access to it. The privilege is reflected into the tool, services and strategies that allow us to nurture our mental health. Some individuals are more resilient than others. However, even the most resilient individual needs to be nurtured in ones own resilience. Because of discrimination and racism, the Black population very often doesnt received the same attention as the White population when we deal with the access to mental health, either we talk about the education or the clinical settings. I believe that one of the steps professionals in these sectors (clinical and education) need to take is being aware of this issue and starting to provide a different service that is more aligned with the values related to the Anti-Oppressive Practice.

[Eugenia]

I think one important step is having White People silent and allow Black People and Minorities speak their piece. As a White Woman, I need to listen and make my listening active by using an empathetic attitude that let me try and fell what it really means being not- White.

I also think that media could advocate much more and with a more appropriate lens for values like inclusion and diversity, in order to awake Government institutions and becoming more proactive at a macro level.

Last but not least we need a stronger educational environment, where school staff take a path of self-reflection and authentic growth in order to transfer this level of awareness in the students. We need to create more opportunities of interactive connections that help future generations to think about the importance of this topic.

[Eugenia]

Two major issues come up on my mind when I think about Anti-Black Racism:

1- Lack of self-reflection: people are not used to self-reflect and having the courage to face uncomfortable sides of oneself such as biases and prejudice, and being willing to go through the hard work that leads ultimately to authentic and productive growth.

2 – Lack of empathy: trying to understand and FEEL other people needs is a necessity when we need to get connected. Our society is self-centered and therefore individuals are not proactive to work the whole community.

[john]

Well put! So many obstacles to understanding. The lack of empathy and self-reflection is a major stumbling block to many people. It actually prevents them from even opening their minds to the possibility of there being any other perspective than their own. Add to this the conflation of gaining this broader perspective and somehow having to give something up or having to accept the loss of something they unconsciously may hold dear, and any meaningful dialogue becomes almost impossible.

[Tim]

One of the learnings that I found most powerful in this course was just seeing set out the long history of Black people within the Canadian story, the fact of the Black translator who helped the French communicate with the First Nations people in the earliest days, the fact Black people have been here in significant numbers since the earliest days of this country, the fact that Black soldiers fought in the War of 1812, the fact that many moved to this country at different times and in different areas from the South and in many cases chose to move to Africa or else return to the United States because of their treatment. This is very powerful knowledge and it is something that for me makes me aware that the history of Black people in Canada is very much central to the Canadian story and that Anti-Black racism is not new but it has deep roots. I think this should be part of History curriculum in Canadian schools. Thanks for sharing this important history in this course.

[Jordan]

Love this explanation! I agree that mental health is a privilege in that those who are deemed “mentally well” do not face the barriers to employment, housing, safety, healthcare etc. that individuals labeled “mentally ill” experience due to ableism and sanism.

[Jordan]

I totally connect with this. I work in research and I think it’s so important to be critical of the assumptions we are making in our work. I want to continue reflecting on why I ask certain research questions, why I’ve chosen a specific research methods, and what my interpretations of my findings mean. I agree this work also must involve reflecting on our own privilege and how it impacts our work.

[Tim]

Hi Moraig – I agree with you whole heartedly. It is absurd and obscene to note that while fossil fuel consumption continues to be one of the major drivers of the climate crisis the Oil Companies and their shareholders are making obscene amounts of money. Even a bit of Justice would suggest they need to be taxed to pay for this. Also I agree that “White Supremacy” and the current economic system is very much at the root of our current climate crisis. But also believe that the problems we face are fundamentally tied into some of the flaws and the basic nature of humans that is part of our common heritage. Not to say that we are doomed but we as a species are called to rise above our weaknesses.