Virtual Café by YouthREX | Melissa | Activity

Melissa 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

Tue, 17 Jan 2023 16:38:56 -0500

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?

I agree with all of this Danielle.

A big part of my anti-racist journey is unlearning. That not only entails accepting where I have faulted, or allowed my ignorance to guide my choices, but also creating a space in my life to learn from Blacks folks – even if it is hard for me to hear. It is not always easy to hear about my own white privlege…

Melissa 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

Tue, 17 Jan 2023 16:33:12 -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?

These are my thoughts exactly, Lux NLN.

I think we need spaces to celebrate Black knowledge and culture. Where all can see the beauty and benefit of having different perspectives.

Melissa 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

Tue, 17 Jan 2023 16:24:01 -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?

Yes to this entire post! I took a social work course a couple years ago and the prof said something that has forever changed me. We were having a discussion around IPV and said that many social workers might believe their job is to get the woman out of the abusive situation. She told us that it wasn’t. That the woman was the expert of her…

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

Tue, 17 Jan 2023 16:13:31 -0500

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

Hi Elizabeth,

Your comment is very powerful. I feel like you have acknowledged so many issues facing Black folks in Ontario (and in Canada). One of the things that stood out the most to me about your post is the awareness component. I think that there is a general lack of an awareness around racism in general. There are far too many people who…