[Mike]

I don’t feel equipped to properly answer this question, but since it has been put out to participants, I’m guessing it’s okay to give answers from a place of learning. I would say that Anti-Black racism is still a problem in Ontario due to white supremacy. As a white person who grew up in Southwestern Ontario, I can say that I was raised to be completely unaware of my own race, and to perceive other races as different and somehow inferior, all while being completely oblivious to how problematic my views were, and also believing that there was no way that me or my family could be racist. I wrongly understood that a racist was simply a person who outwardly demonstrated aggression to people of colour, and that “nice” people who kept their negative thoughts and feelings about Black, Indigenous and People of Colour concealed (even to themselves) were “good” and therefore not racist. Reflecting on my upbringing now, I can see all of the problematic behaviours that were very accepted in my white community and extremely problematic, from racist jokes, to excluding people from groups, work, and social activities because they did not seem to “fit” within what I now understand as whiteness. Although I have spent a lot of time learning about race and white supremacy, I still feel like my journey is somehow still just beginning. The more I learn, the more I realize I don’t know. That scares me, but what scares me more is the fact that I am the only member of my white family that has even begun the journey. My siblings, parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and cousins still prefer to consider themselves “nice” and too ill-equipped to grapple with the concept of race, and use all kinds of defensive tactics to avoid the conversation. On the other hand, I have also failed. Out of fear of rejection or anger from my family, my attempts to talk about race have been feeble, and I have allowed myself to be shouted down and silenced time and time again. Despite all of the progress made by Black, Indigenous and People of Colour, in bringing the issues of white supremacy, racism and Anti-Black Racism to light in this province, my family remains in the dark, and I fear that this is the case for many white families across the province, especially those who live and work in predominantly white communities, and thus very isolated from meaningful conversations about race, and anyone who might hold them accountable. If I can make any small contribution to combatting Anti-Black Racism in Ontario, I feel it will be a life-long endeavour to continually educate myself, and challenge whiteness in my own family and community, which will likely result in more people avoiding me; a small price to pay in comparison to the injustices suffered by Black, Indigenous and People of Colour in my community and province. I promise to use what I have learned in this course to do better, and I sincerely hope our collective efforts make change in Ontario.

[Kathe]

Thank you for sharing these reflections, Mike. Engaging from a place of learning is important, and I agree that this learning – and unlearning – is something we must recommit to every day.

[Abinna]

This week’s module allowed me to understand how anti-black racism impacts mental health. The research findings can be used to change practices and policies for institutions that promote anti-Black racism. It is important to address intergenerational trauma, and to also ensure that mental health support is given without any forms of racial discrimination. By working with Black youth and their families, the policies and practices can be changed so that it is more inclusive and anti-racist. Research is a valuable source, which means that it should be used to promote change at a systemic level.

[Cyril]

Hi everyone!

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxTSIlWUeg8

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

For more information visit the YouthREX Knowledge Hub link below. 🙂

https://youthrex.com/video/from-trauma-informed-care-to-healing-centered-engagement-a-youth-work-teach-in-with-dr-shawn-ginwright/

[Julie]

We just need to focus on removing the stigma associated with accessing these services as it relates to black youth and their families. Stigmatization in and of itself is a barrier. The effects of stigma are real and prevents the pathways to inclusion.

[Julie]

In my interactions with youth, the one simple thing I taught them was never bow their head in shame based on what they feel someone is thinking about you. Hold your head up high when you enter the Centre. Say Good morning. Be present, feel valued, you belong here just the way you are.

[Julie]

In my opinion, we need to start with the education system. The history text books needs to be revised to include actual Black History not just about slavery and our struggles but our contributions to the economic development of Canada. Since the children (all children regardless of race, creed, origin or ethnicity) are the future, let them educate their families, let them be the change, them be the model co workers, policy writers and the leaders of change. We learn through our children. Habits are engrained and can therefore be re conditioned in the present for the future. Let Black History Month be less about Americans and more about our Canadian victories. Let us not focus so much on being slaves and sub human- less than. We are much more than our past. As Canadians, we ALL must live in the discomfort for change to take place. We have to be committed to fight Anti-Racism together. Black people are Human and we deserve our place in history as such. It is going to hurt a lot more before it gets better because the wounds are deep and must be exposed for healing to begin.

[Julie]

I believe that ABR is still a problem in Ontario because racism against blacks is not recognized as a systematic-real issue. Based on the our limited knowledge of history, Ontario was and is still viewed as a protected/safe haven for slaves and blacks. We focus so much on the United States that we often neglect what’s happening in our own Country and society.

[Cassandra]

There is a significant lack of black history in our educational system. Throughout all stages of the educational history there is hardly any mention of Black Canadian’s contributions to Canadian society, and even less mentions of the history of slavery, anti-Black racism and discrimination that exists throughout our history. Thus, most Ontarians believe that there is hardly any racism in our society and therefore there is no need to fix it.

[Zarina]

After going through some responses paired with the lectures in the first modules. I agree with everyone here when they say that Ontario is in denial of it’s racism towards the black community. I have worked within high schools and seen first hand how black youth are treated in comparison to white students.. We’ve had struggles with the school administrators as we’ve tried to advocate on behalf of our youth. It’s a sad reality but one that I would’ve never been exposed to if I hadn’t seen it for myself. There is a lot of work to be done within the school systems to protect young black students.

[Katarina]

Thank you for sharing your experiences, Zarina. I agree that there is a lot of work that needs to be done in the education system to confront anti-Black racism. Research has shown, again and again, that Black students are disproportionately suspended, expelled, and streamed into lower-level classes… and that the impacts of these disparities continue to be felt long after they leave the school system.

I would encourage folks who are interested in learning more about the barriers that Black youth face in Ontario’s education system to check out the Pathways to Education report Mistrust and Low Expectations: Educational Disadvantage and Black Youth in Ontario.

I was encouraged by the announcement that Ontario will end streaming in high school, but, as Amin Ali writes in this blogpost, we need to recognize that de-streaming is not a “magic bullet in-and-of-itself,” and that it needs to be combined with funding, equity reforms, and accountability. It is, at the very least, a step in the right direction.

[Jae Woong]

As an undergraduate social work student who is going for placement this September, one thing I want to focus on for Black youth is I want to provide a safe space for them to express his or her feeling and thinking. I found it is very crucial to have engagement with clients without having any assumptions made from the case notes.

[Jae Woong]

There is more need to create ongoing awareness for anti-Black racism in Ontario. Anti-Black racism has to be an ongoing process not just having awareness on certain occasions or when some event has highlighted in the media. I have found that many people in Ontario say “we are not racist”; however, many people often forgot what could be considered as a racist. I found that there is a lot of hate has been increased toward the racial minority throughout the world during the pandemic. Since it is a difficult time for everyone, I found the important to include a safe space for everyone.

[Sam]

Good lesson, we need to keep unfolding history to educate others.

[Camille]

I think anti-Black racism is still a problem because their is a refusal to admit that racism exists. To admit that racism exist is to admit that you are an oppressor.

[Cyril]

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.

[Lisa]

In my opinion, anti-Black racism remains a significant and troubling reality in Ontario for several reasons. One is the continued discourse of denial that is prevalent among Canadians. Canadian leaders cannot acknowledge the role Canada has played historically in the slave trade of Africans, and their erasure of African Canadians contribution in the building of this country speaks loudly to their anti-Black sentiments. Our key social institutions: government, economy, education, healthcare, etc. are also tainted by negative ideologies about race and who is deserving of love, respect, resources and overall wellbeing. Intersectionalities of gender, class, age, sexual orientation also add to the layers of oppression experienced by African Canadians. These institutions need to be restructured to include active anti-Black racism policies, and there needs to be a shift in the power imbalance in order to include more African Canadians in leadership roles.

[Christine]

Personally, I am a student in social work and I have volunteered with organizations that are blacked owned/created and I see and hear what individuals have told me and I want to do the best to support black communities by listening, by going to courses like these, speaking out against racism while I am in my day-to-day life. I felt empowered when I went o my first protest this year and I want to better prepare youth for Canada’s history and how we can learn from colonization and whats means is needed for equity and equality to be represented for all diverse backgrounds. I think also we need to be self-aware of makeup companies, hair companies, these are things that never represent Black individuals and are misrepresented in those specific areas. I think giving room to those voices who usually go noticed and making sure to be aware of privilege and how the use of privilege can be shared among others.

[Christine]

I think actions are louder than numbers, that being said I know a lot of individuals “need” scientific evidence to agree. I think showing the impactful numbers that arise from the research will show what gaps are missing. Also, we need to start with a small impact, which will make a big impact. Also education needs to be revised to review what textbooks are needed to show the history and teaching children the true history of Canada for a better understanding and aware society.

[Christine]

I think redesigning colonized programs that are in place. Once we reshape the mindset of collaboration, rather than eurocentric beliefs only, then It was lead the way for further reconciliation and decolonization. Also making sure schools provide anti-racism courses and implementing courses for teachers to learn the proper practices.

[Kathe]

Hi Haley! Thank you for sharing this outline. I’ve certainly experienced what you describe in different educational and professional spaces. Do you know if there is a publicly-available resource on Angela Connors’s work that we might be able to share on our Knowledge Hub?

[Kathe]

Yes! I believe those of us in the so-called ‘helping’ professions – including (and especially!) social work, which has perpetuated oppression and injustice, and the white savior complex – need to interrogate the power and privilege in our roles and in our work (as Lisa and Cyril also point out in their comments above).

[James]

I totally agree that a huge obstacle in working against ABR is people’s fear of losing power and privilege. There needs to be a shift in thinking where people recognize that what they may “lose” will be outweighed by the immense gains to our collective communities

[Kristina]

This is definitely it, Anca – anti-Black racism enables white power and so it continues. Whiteness and white folks use abr as a way to keep their power, capital, wealth, status, job opportunities – and in the case of youth – as a way to maintain power over young Black people and their families.

[Michelle]

I agree…programs are rarely as effective / comfortable / successful if there is not active participant voice involved in the creation / development

[Catherine]

I’m definitely here for bringing those who the services are intended for to the table (Nothing about us, without us!) And I want to add that we should also be giving young people the skills they need to be at those discussions and make those decisions. Instead of throwing them to the wolves (us adults) we need to make spaces accessible to them and make sure they have the confidence to engage. Training young people in a strengths-based way, speaking to young people without using jargon and with the utmost respect, and making it easy for them to participate all lead to better programs, outcomes- you name it.

[Cyril]

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

[Cyril]

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 consequences/responsibilities/opportunities of reconciliation grounded in justice?

Would we sacrifice our careers, our benevolent vision of self and the comfortable self-assumption that we are empowering the oppressed rather than being a part of greater repression?

If acknowledging the truth puts people on the line, what does it look like when they have to walk on that (politically correct) tight rope?

Power influencers require pressure to be accountable to others and since we all exercise varying degrees of power, I like to reflect on the things that motivate me to do better for others, even when it might be at a personal/professional cost. I think an ultimate truth/reality is recognizing that the liberation of the “other” is fundamental our own liberation.

[Kristina]

And I think Lucas that we need to take the matter of acknowledging and identifying our anti-Black histories into our work beyond just the national and provincial level. We need to examine what specific histories our youth work organizations have in terms of anti-Black racism – like, when when did our org have the first Black participants? Staff? Board Members? How did our rules impact Black communities and how do they continue to? There’s a lot of internal truth telling that needs to happen so that the daily spaces Black youth engage with can become safer for them.

[Lisa]

Hi Chantal,

I like what you said about ‘wrestling with their discomfort.’ In my Social Work training at Ryerson, it was common for my professors to remind myself and my peers to sit with our discomfort and reflect on where our discomfort is rooted. Our first reaction is never to let go of privilege. Privilege is the currency that gives us the things we both need and desire.