Member Melinda
MemberForum Replies Created
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A simple resonse to a complex question: capitalism. Globally, inlcuding Canada, we function within a capitalist system that has deep historically roots, including the enslavement, colonization and domination of many cultures, countries and peoples. At it’s core, capitalism relies on the private accumulation of wealth and power and promotes a model of competition where increasing profit at any cost is the name of the game. Fundamentally, this system relies on the exploitation and oppression of certain groups, including Black and Indigenous folks, in order to accumulate wealth and power in the hands of the few (namely rich, White men). The narratives espoused about Black people and resulting dominant cultural and political ideologies that sustain anti-Black racism, as discussed in this module, are core to the capitalist agenda. Within our current capitalist system, anti-Black racism remains entrenched in systems and structures as their remains a vested interest from those in power (or those who practice and participate in Whiteness) to maintain the status quo and ensure access to wealth and power remains concentrated in hands of those who benefit from the way things are now.
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A lot of people think that Canada doesn’t share a similar history of anti-Blackness with the United States and that our diversity and multiculturalism (especially in Ontario) must exempt us from ever possibly being racist, especially at an institutional or individual level. We applaud ourselves for the smallest changes and long over-due actions when we should be – and are capable of – doing so much more at a faster pace.
It’s easier to sweep anti-Black racism under the rug and instead celebrate Ontario’s diversity because facing the facts that anti-Black racism is entrenched in our institutions is too uncomfortable for some.
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ABR is still a problem in Ontario because ABR is still deeply entrenched within Ontario at an individual, institutional, and provincial level.
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Hi everyone! Central Toronto Youth Services is #hiring a Program Coordinator for our Pride & Prejudice (2SILGBTQ+) Program!
* must have membership in appropriate regulatory body (RP/ RSW) and membership in 2SILGBTQ+ community *
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I really think it’s about one thing: funding. Funding that is targeted to provide better infrastructure, education, healthcare, transportation and other resources so that black families are not systemically disadvantaged in so many areas.
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I am now doing the course ending July/22 so first time on this virtual cafe platform- or a virtual platform period! Better late than never. Previous comments- ideally include end “users” (where did we come up with that word? better to say “partners”- gotta get this reciprocal language going!- systemic bias in epi and funding structures no doubt) in the program development is fundamental. And incredibly difficult for such patchwork community orgs in social and human services in communities. But we need to try! I also find, as per Monique, “little by little bit by bit”, as I learn, that I can reflect on my practice, then maybe influence others etc… the flutter of a butterflys’ wings can change the world. I want to believe that !
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The more knowledge I seek, the more it becomes apparent that the entire western world thrives as a result of anti-Blackness. It is not something that can be remedied without re-constructing society itself. Anti-Black racism will persist as long as we continue to frame our society as a social totem pole. Those at the top are in power positions and will continue to perpetuate our current norms in order to refrain from relinquishing that power.
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If you’re looking for resources on cannabis to share with young folks in your life, check out the redesigned What’s With Weed webpage! YouthREX collaborated with a variety of partners — including young people! — to redesign a youth-friendly one-stop-shop on everything they might ask about cannabis and cannabis use.
Take a look through the five most common questions young people have about cannabis, and learn about the legalization movement and how you can use cannabis more safely. These resources are also available in French!
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The redesigned webpage looks amazing! Such a useful resource 👌
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To me, this is still a problem because of no action. For years now I feel as though we have been asking the same questions and discussing best practices for incorporating Anti-Black racism policies in Canada. When it comes to the real work and doing something to enforce these policies very few step up to the plate and take on that task.
At a macro level, nothing will happen if those in power don’t share the same ideology because what we may see is a brief period of change and then back to the regular discrimination and marginalization our people face.
Lastly, we are in 2022 and people still think of Canada as this inclusive country…despite what we know regarding Indigenous people and the history of slavery and other discrimination that has happened here in Canada people still want to brush it under the rug and speak about the country as if its the perfect place to be – the problem can’t be fixed if people don’t see a problem.
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I work more indirectly with Black youth, in that I create resources for the counsellors and staff on campus that work with Black youth. I think one simple thing we can do as an organization is to include as much research on Black Youth as possible within our resources, to make sure our stakeholders are as informed as they can be on the realities faced by Black youth, so that they can better support them.
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As you know, June is Pride Month! 🏳️🌈
There are multiple events happening across Ontario to recognize and honour 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. But as @labraha writes on REX Blog, Pride is “more than waving a rainbow flag or joining parades” — Pride is about an ongoing commitment to working against discrimination and systemic exclusion and harm. Be sure to visit our Knowledge Hub for hundreds of resources to support your work with 2SLGBTQIA+ youth.
Plus: our staff have compiled an essential soundtrack in celebration of Pride Month: “Queer Love Forever.” Listen now on Spotify!
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Thanks for sharing @Kathe ! Also, make sure to check out our upcoming event on Twitter Space! We’ll be hosting a live conversation with Jordan Zaitzow, facilitator of Families in TRANSition at Central Toronto Youth Services.
We’ll be discussing how to better support families and caregivers of gender diverse youth, how gender affirming practices are critical to trans youth wellness, and what change we want to see in society.
🗓 Date: Wednesday, June 29, 2:00PM-3:00PM
Set a reminder NOW: https://twitter.com/i/spaces/1dRJZlQArdQKB
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Summer is here and we know that more and more youth programs are returning to an in-person format or reimagining how to offer hybrid (online and in-person) options to participants.
YouthREX has been curating resources throughout the pandemic to support your work with youth — from reports on the impacts of COVID-19 to best practices for building community, we’ve got you covered!
Be sure to visit this collection of resources on our Knowledge Hub and share how you’re continuing to ‘pivot’ in your youth work practice.
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Urgent action is needed to combat anti-Black racism, since it is not new and has been prevalent in both private and public sectors and being studied for decades.
Intentional action is needed now, stop talking about it and do something now. Decades later and we are still asking the same questions.
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I couldn’t agree more. The lack of intentionality is why we’re still here. There needs to be well thought out and executed plans to combat anti-Black racism!!
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I definitely agree. Government officials and leaders often play a game of shock and awe when racism in Canada is exposed, and instead of acting surprised it is time to give tangible support to the discriminated communities.
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I feel you on this. It is always, “Canada isn’t like the States” or “We do things better here”. I think part of doing away with this “shock” you’ve described is quite literally allowing ourselves to become comfortable with the uncomfortable truth that Canada isn’t all we see in the media, or better off because we are simply not like the States. This “better than” rhetoric is not enough. It isn’t enough to be better than the States and for that degree of improvement to serve as a stand-in for justice. Good enough isn’t enough. Period. Lasting change never comes from simply wanting to do better than someone else. There must be an unrelenting honesty.
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I think that anti-Black racism is still not a significant part of the general discourse in Ontario. Especially at the systemic level, where often racism is tacitly accepted if not willingly supported. Offering more awareness-raising knowledge and showing more intolerance regarding racism might be ways to better incorporate anti-Black racism into the values of the Ontarian society.
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I wonder if it’s helpful to show how research has informed changes to practice, policy and programs. It’s one thing to hear the research, stats, and data etc, but then to turn it into action. Sometimes, I think this is where research lags. I appreciate hearing stories, and examples of how change has been enabled by research. So I suppose more research and practice partnerships could be an idea?
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I think the most important thing we can do is to remember the stats and make sure to center the voices of black youth and families in order to build a culturally competent practice – the point that really stuck with me was the importance of cultural competence as opposed to simply having a clinician or worker who is of the same race.
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I agree and I think that social service/human-service agencies have an obligation to start (if they aren’t already) collecting race-based data and/or disaggregating their data to examine both the ethno-racial identities of service users and how service outcomes vary by ethno-racial identity. Without this information, it has been my experience that many agencies/organizations continue to operate under the guise of “polite racism” believing that the problem of anti-Black racism is “out there” versus within their own organization, its policies, program development and service delivery models.
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I definitely agree. I also think there must be a deliberate effort on the behalf of researchers to conduct research in decolonized ways that allow Black communities to access the research. I feel like often, research on racialized folk, though possibly well-intentioned, is often extractive. That is, it is done to get funding, finish a dissertation, etc., and the community itself rarely benefits longterm.
The Jane and Finch Community Research Partnership offers us one way to rethink what research could look like in such communities. I have found it a really helpful place to start rethinking my own scholarship.
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I think there’s several factors that play into anti-black racism in Ontario – the idea of Canada being a multicultural “utopia” plays up that anti-black racism doesn’t happen here, so it’s often less publicized and less likely to be called out, and without acknowledging our history and present reality of anti-black racism, it just keeps playing out. We’re also under a goverment in Ontario that frequently prioritizes police, which are a frequent and constant perpetrator of anti-black violence
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I think that it will be helpful to ensure that data collected on youth outcomes and experiences in programs should be disaggregated to look a the unique outcomes of Black youth. In my past experience, this practice has been really valuable, and detrimental to how a program is run and operated. This course has really cemented the need for evaluation and research that highlights the specific experiences of Black youth, instead of lumping all youth outcomes together. This can then further inform how programs need to change and improve.
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I agree that adopting a trauma-informed stance/approach is super important and I would add that (at least for myself) part of a trauma-informed approach is working to facilitate “braver” spaces where service users can give honest and frank feedback about how I “show up” and specifically, where/how I may have misstepped or caused harm, whether intentional/conscious or not. I think this kind of relational accountability and relationship repair is a deeply important, if not under-acknowledged, aspect of trauma-informed work.
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I love this idea! As someone with a name that is difficult to pronounce, I understand how pronouncing one’s name correctly can instil great amounts of confidence in them.
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Resorative justice, healing circles, so well said and insightful!
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Thank you Yasmine.
My household was a Matriarch home. My mother , a Black Femme Lesbian, and grandmother were/are the head of the home and even though there are older men in the family, after my Grandma passed away my mother became the Head of the family.It’s important to stop thinking about the binary in Black Family homes and allow the conversation to open up to accessibility and diversity when raising Black Youth.
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Validation, active listening, empathy are all great ways to build relationships. When someone feels heard it can go a long way!
