[Mica]

My practice adopts the disability rights rally of, “Nothing about us, without us,” which also influences the way I work with youth. Listening and amplifying their voices, while continually checking myself and my own power and privileges. My organization works more so on the policy and programming level rather than the frontlines, so a big thing for my organization is asking who’s at the decision making table? Why/why not are Black youth there, and how is racism and ageism (amongst other intersections) influencing this?

[Danielle]

I’m halfway through the program currently and one of the biggest things for me is the realization that all of learning I have done so far (through different programs in college and university, different trainings, my career, etc) have only really scratched the surface. But I am thankful for the opportunity to continue to learn.

[Kennishia]

I believe ensuring that our youth are connected to community is a critical part of affirming their identities, especially cultural organizations where Black youth can learn from elders and have access to volunteer opportunities where they can develop pride in their unique heritage. Representation and social capital is invaluable for Black youth, so we also need to be intentional about introducing them to role models/mentors and even professionals in their desired field that can inspire positive connections in their lives. As an educational professional, I feel that our schools also need to create identity affirming spaces for Black youth and be intentional about using visual markers to celebrate their diverse cultures (ie: images on the walls of prominent Black figures, both historical and present-day, affirmations such as African proverbs), diversifying our library materials with Black authors). We can affirm identities more effectively for Black youth when we celebrate them out loud.

[Kennishia]

As a Black woman in the education profession, these lectures left me with many emotions. I felt inspired to continue the work that I do to ensure that future students do not have to carry the burden of anti-Black racism at every corner of their educational journey alone. I felt saddened to read about the richness of our Black history in Canada, only to know that this information has largely been resisted in our curriculum where it deserves to be widely shared and acknowledged. It left me feeling frustrated that we are still fighting to date for anti-Black racism to be named and validated as a lived experience that is happening today, not a “thing of the past” but rather a very real and present reality. This is critical work, but I was also left with hope that the more we continue to spread the awareness that eventually it will spark the action across all institutions that we desperately need to implement.

[Kennishia]

To center youth well-being in my work, I strive to use relationship-based approaches in how I interact with youth. I feel that centering youth well-being begins with validating their voices, creating safe spaces for their successes and struggles and bridging the gap between the support they want to access and the stigmas that create barriers to their access. I also do not separate student achievement from student well-being, these are closely intertwined and I am conscious in finding ways to promote holistically support students and meeting them where they’re at so that I can be apart of fostering their wellness rather than hindering it.

[Kennishia]

I think we have to invite more youth to the table and pass the mic. I have found that prescriptive measures in approaching critical youth work end up perpetuating harm rather than planting seeds for healing. I’ve conducted focus groups with Black youth who have openly shared experiences navigating the education system, and I was blown away by how much they were able to empower one another and foster healing amongst themselves as a community of students when they were given the opportunity to be heard. Their voices are so powerful and we have to be intentional about removing the barriers that have historically made them feel as though they cannot be apart of their own healing.

[YouthREX- Kamau]

That is a great point! Too often programs and services are created for youth without their input or genuine consideration.

There is a TED Talk by Jakhini Bisselink that speaks to that: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOpqMWj25AE&ab_channel=TEDxTalks

There is also a Youth Engagement Strategy Report by the Family Navigation Project that looks at ways to empower youth: https://youthrex.com/report/youth-engagement-strategy/

[Kennishia]

I believe anti Black racism is still a problem because confronting it would require an overhaul of a system of oppression that still benefits those in power and decision making spaces. First, I feel there has been deliberate action to erase the stories of Black experiences to ensure that the narrative of “multiculturalism” and “all are welcome” continue to persist. We cannot address a problem that there is no awareness of, and there has been a conscious effort to exclude these histories from our curriculum in a way that prevents the “whole truth” from being shared. In the same way, these systemic tactics have been used to deny the existence of anti black racism and many are unable to recognize it when it’s happening in their workplaces and communities.

[Phyllis]

Black communities know and experience Anti-Black Racism on an ongoing basis and they know that it exists in the societies we live in, however, members of the larger societies doubt and find other explanations for the experiences of Black people. White supremacy believes in the power of the word and therefore needs the proof of Black peoples’ experiences. Research data brings these facts to the fore and makes it more difficult for others to explain away anti-Black racism. It paints the picture of the impact of anti-Black racism on the lives of Black populations. The people who hold power and law makers are sometimes compelled by the facts to address anti-Black racism. With it, funders are more willing to provide resources to organizations and community groups to address the presenting issues.

[Brianna]

Finding and analyzing data about anti-Black racism can be an important tool in implementing actions and further developing policies and frameworks. With this data, it can highlight the reality and prevalence of racism, and where it is occurring. Knowing these findings, we can incorporate them into our practice as they can shape interactions with youth and their families, as well as contribute to challenging racism. Sharing these findings with the public to bring awareness to the accounts of racism is also an important way to highlight how deeply rooted racism is within society.

[Brianna]

When it comes to designing pathways to inclusion in the youth sector, people must be continuously educated about appropriate anti-racist strategies. In addition to this, youth should be involved with education, and implementation of policies, and have a voice in decisions and discussions. Having more diverse collaboration and representation in leadership roles, decision-making, and the sharing of ideas would contribute to bettering inclusivity.

[Brianna]

To center Black youth’s well-being in work, it is important to critically reflect to recognize my internal biases as this can pose a threat to interactions and the work that would be done together. Partaking in critical self-reflection can be done in many ways to make purposeful and necessary changes to interactions. As many other people have noted, simply listening to the individual and understanding from their perspective, free of assumptions and judgment, will greatly help to center Black youth.

In regards to how the organization could center Black youth, I think ensuring that members are being continuously educated by Black youth would be beneficial.

[Brianna]

I feel that anti-Black racism is still an issue in many areas as some who are racist do not acknowledge their actions and behaviors as racist. In contrast, it is possible that others intentionally partake in racist behaviors as they are influenced by others and the media and feel discomfort towards anything that is “different” in their eyes.

[REX]

Program Evaluation is like writing a recipe for your favourite dish. It helps us to describe the ‘critical ingredients’ of your youth program. Process evaluation helps to identify your program’s activities (recipe) that makes your program what it is it. What is your youth program’s “recipe”? What are the key components (activities / interventions)?

[Tammy]

I like the expression “when you know better, do better”. I/We engage in courses such as this (and I agree, it has been a wonderful, thought provoking, self-reflective course) to better understand not just the past, present or future, but our roles in each of these timelines. As an older, white individual, I search to better understand how skewed thinking from childhood (from racialized nursery rhymes to social privilege) continues to play a role in my present. Working with marginalized youth has taught me how to unlearn some of my ingrained thoughts, and to look to the future in a different way; with a different openness on how to accept others around me. Another famous quote is ” a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”. I would like to wish both of us continued success on our journey, now that we have taken our first step.

[Danielle]

While I am not in Ontario, I can say with certainty that anti-Black racism is still an issue in Canada. In some smaller areas, where there hasn’t historically been a lot of diversity, people have gotten comfortable in their “bubble” of not witnessing overt racism in their daily lives. Due to not seeing this overt racism, they assume that racism doesn’t exist there. I would say this applies to most of Canada in some way, but is strongly true in smaller areas. What people tend to ignore however are other ways racism exists outside of big “in-your-face” examples. I find there’s also a tendency to excuse other’s actions as “not racist” – “they’re not racist, it was just a joke”, “they’re not racist, they’re just curious”, “they’re not racist, they just haven’t been around Black people before”, etc. – so as to guard the person’s feelings. Calling out friends/family members on their racism is uncomfortable and unfortunately too many of us opt not to do it.

[Stephanie]

Looking for ways to support Black Students, who live in smaller communities outside of the GTA (less community or organizations events). Want to avoid performative measures, by creating more meaningful opportunities.

[Stephanie]

Thank you for sharing this.

[Stephanie]

The conversation needs to continue, Black Voices need to be heard but also with the intention of explicit actions to follow.

[Fiona]

I also experienced a lot of emotions during these reads. “Discomfort” was one that specifically stuck out for me. I agree that feeling discomfort helps to fosters self-reflection and personal change.

[YouthREX- Kamau]

Thank you for sharing! These lectures cover very sensitive topics, and may evoke strong feelings that we don’t often get afforded the opportunity to explore. We encourage everyone to utilize the workbook to help understand and navigate these feelings.

You can find the workbook at the beginning of module 1 under the Getting Started tab: https://learn.youthrex.com/courses/take/abr-the-context-of-anti-black-racism/downloads/40840146-workbook

[Fiona]

Thank you for the resource.

[Fiona]

Education, self-reflection, action and working towards changing outdated policies, procedures and practices.

[Fiona]

I think it is important to : be aware of my own privilege and biases and to continue to educate myself by listening to people’s experiences and stories, provide an inclusive, non judgmental space for people to share these stories, advocate for young people and encourage student-lead initiatives and take action to help amplify these voices.

[Laura]

Hi all,

I agree with many in this thread that listening is one of the simplest things I can do to help centre Black youth wellbeing. No matter what profession we may find ourselves in, I think it is always important to acknowledge that those we are working with are the experts on their own lives. Listening and providing a safer space for them to speak and share would be crucial to the relationship you have with each individual, which in turn would help you to offer the best support you are able to for them.

[Kathy]

I agree that listening to Black youth is critical. At an organizational level it is important to not only provide safe spaces for Black youth to share their voice, it is equally important to respond to what was heard. Listening that does not result in action/in a response can lead to mistrust – you heard a problem and/or a solution but nothing was done. Listening combined with action/response bolsters well-being and activates change.

[Julie]

Hello! The TFEL project is pleased to partner with YouthRex for this partnered training Centering Black Youth Wellbeing: A Certificate on Combating Anti-Black Racism! from May 8 to July 16, 2023. Registrations are open until July 15th (in case you wish to share in your networks).

My name is Julie Drolet and I look forward to connecting with you in the virtual cafe during our course.

To learn more about the Transforming the Field Education Landscape (TFEL) partnership please visit our website: https://tfelproject.com

Thanks,

Julie Drolet

[Samer]

Educating ourselves on the privileges we enjoy as White Caucasians helps us begin to appreciate what systemic racism looks like https://admin.artsci.washington.edu/sites/adming/files/unpacking-invisible-knapsack.pdf . In this article P McIntosh describes the simple privileges that we take for granted as White people. Educating ourselves with the real life experiences of Black people can help us empathize, understand, and change.

[Samer]

Here in Ontario, we don’t live in a bubble immune to the predominant narrative in the media and other social media feeds that either deny racism is systemic, or promote it in subtle ways. Nobody wants to be or admits to being a racist. When racism is part of our culture for decades, it is not eliminated overnight because of more awareness. It takes a lot of education, self-reflection, and open-mindedness to begin the process of eliminating discrimination. We may have started that conversation in Ontario, but I believe it is simply a start…

[Fiona]

I agree with your comment re: defensiveness. This can sometimes be an automatic thought/feeling. Recognizing this is key.