Virtual Café by YouthREX | Katie | Activity

Katie replied to the discussion What is One Simple Thing you could do to center Black youth wellbeing in your work? What is One Simple Thing that your organization could do to center Black youth wellbeing? in the forum Centering Black Youth Wellbeing

Mon, 11 Mar 2024 19:32:00 -0400

Reply to What is One Simple Thing you could do to center Black youth wellbeing in your work? What is One Simple Thing that your organization could do to center Black youth wellbeing?

This is a GREAT point! I was thinking the same thing (within a different context) earlier in my lecture actually. At school, earlier this year, one of my students experienced a racist comment from another student. I called their parents and explained how seriously we took it and how it would not be tolerated and how we would like to deal with…

Katie replied to the discussion What is One Simple Thing you could do to center Black youth wellbeing in your work? What is One Simple Thing that your organization could do to center Black youth wellbeing? in the forum Centering Black Youth Wellbeing

Mon, 11 Mar 2024 19:27:14 -0400

Reply to What is One Simple Thing you could do to center Black youth wellbeing in your work? What is One Simple Thing that your organization could do to center Black youth wellbeing?

This module has perhaps been the most intriguing of them all. I have been spending most of my time in this certificate sitting in discomfort thinking, “I can acknowledge my privilege and my biases, I can acknowledge that racism very much exists in Canada still, but what can I, as one person, tangibly do?” It is true that my privilege, as a…

Katie replied to the discussion How can we navigate tension with themes of colonialism and religion? in the forum Centering Black Youth Wellbeing

Sat, 09 Mar 2024 02:40:27 -0500

Reply to How can we navigate tension with themes of colonialism and religion?

These are great points, and I do think in a way, returning to a time before Western white supremacy took root and applying what was done then to a modern context would be an interesting thought.

I think that Christianity in particular does have quite a bad track record when it comes to spreading hatred. But I do think that it is harmful…

Katie replied to the discussion Let’s dream and envision programs and services where Black youth are not experiencing anti-Black racism. How might we move beyond identifying the service needs and gaps Black youth face, to pro-actively designing pathways to inclusion in the youth sector? in the forum Centering Black Youth Wellbeing

Sat, 09 Mar 2024 02:18:42 -0500

Reply to Let’s dream and envision programs and services where Black youth are not experiencing anti-Black racism. How might we move beyond identifying the service needs and gaps Black youth face, to pro-actively designing pathways to inclusion in the youth sector?

Hi Abinna!

I think you make a very good point in saying that before we do anything we need to take stock of where our own biases and social location lies. In my response, I shared a lot about how I believe that we need to empower Black youth and their families to take the lead on designing these new inclusive pathways. I also added that in being…

Katie replied to the discussion Let’s dream and envision programs and services where Black youth are not experiencing anti-Black racism. How might we move beyond identifying the service needs and gaps Black youth face, to pro-actively designing pathways to inclusion in the youth sector? in the forum Centering Black Youth Wellbeing

Sat, 09 Mar 2024 02:10:07 -0500

I think the best way to go about designing pathways to inclusion in the youth sector for Black youth is to actively include Black youth and their families in the designing process of these programs, and not just in a superficial way that checks off a box. Black youth and their families need to be surveyed and consulted every step of the…

Katie replied to the discussion How might we draw on research findings to highlight and challenge the impact of anti-Black racism on youth and their families? in the forum Centering Black Youth Wellbeing

Sun, 03 Mar 2024 04:19:14 -0500

Reply to How might we draw on research findings to highlight and challenge the impact of anti-Black racism on youth and their families?

This is a wonderful response Mike. You have captured my thoughts and feelings exactly. I found myself getting very frustrated speaking with friends and family about what I am learning in this course, as I noticed that they would immediately revert to a position of defensiveness. I shared some of the history with them from Module 1 about how…

Katie replied to the discussion How might we draw on research findings to highlight and challenge the impact of anti-Black racism on youth and their families? in the forum Centering Black Youth Wellbeing

Sun, 03 Mar 2024 04:11:07 -0500

Reply to How might we draw on research findings to highlight and challenge the impact of anti-Black racism on youth and their families?

This is such a good, thought-provoking question. Both the quantitative AND qualitative data presented in this module were powerful, and, quite frankly, eye-opening. The problem, however, lies in the fact that it might not be well-known. It would be a really good idea, I think to invest in a social media campaign of sorts with bite-sized pieces…

Katie replied to the discussion Why is anti-Black racism still a problem in Ontario? in the forum Centering Black Youth Wellbeing

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 03:47:39 -0500

Reply to Why is anti-Black racism still a problem in Ontario?

I think the reason why anti-Black racism is still very present in Ontario is multi-faceted. Anti-Black racism is rooted in historical, institutional, societal and systemic contexts that have, overall, done a very good job of hiding their existence. One of the most shocking realizations that I had during the first module was how little I…