[Mike]

I’m just going to offer some inconclusive thoughts here. As a white service provider who works with Black youth I can definitely benefit from the research because I do not have lived experience with racism. If it weren’t for this kind of research and being educated by the youth that I work with, I would be pretty oblivious to the fact that racism even exists in Canada, as many white people are. On that point, the biggest challenge that I have come up against so far is talking to my white family and community members who refuse to talk about race. Here is where I think research has its limitations. When I disagree with someone, I tend to try to convince them by providing strong arguments. Although this tactic *may* win in court or a debate, it is actually in my experience, not very useful when convincing white friends and family members that they are in fact privileged and complicit to white supremacy. This has been my experience when trying to talk to my family about any social justice issue: I provide strong arguments, and they feel attacked, so they regress even further into a defensive stance and shield themselves with conservative ideas. I have learned that, instead of strong arguments, telling stories about real people can have a very positive impact when it comes to changing minds. I was really happy to hear about the book Brother by David Chariandy in this module, and have started reading it. I find it very useful to have these kinds of stories to tell white people, to bring them into the conversation by connecting their hearts to the data. I’m not saying that research isn’t useful–it is extremely useful especially for those of us who want to learn, unlearn and do better– but in my efforts to engage the white people that surround me in critical conversations about race, I have found that it’s good to pair strong arguments with compelling stories, to connect to the basic human empathy that I assume we all have, and start there. Also, just a little afterthought, I also feel that research can be empowering. I have learned from BIPOC in my life that reading this kind of information can shed some light on negative lived experiences and help one feel less isolated and more connected to a bigger cause of social justice, and from this place of increased awareness, take steps to become even stronger and advocate for themselves and their community. I can also say from my own experience that the more I read, the more I have been able to deal with my own negative feelings as a white person trying to deconstruct and rebuild a more positive and healthy identity. Again, very inconclusive, I’m still learning and wanted to share where I’m at.

[Andri]

It is still a reality because the foundation was set in a historical and cultural context making it a part of the fiber of the society at hand and persistent. Black people have been minimized, mistreated and abused. This is why we are all here, and why this course and community of youth workers and educators exists. The underground railroad implied that Canada was a safe haven for enslaved Black people and therefore it must be safe for all Black people. Anti-Black sentiment in Canada, at some point, was hiding under the surface. Like a lounging giant (and I use lounging not sleeping purposely because anti-Black racism has always been there, but lessened by the myths that surround identity in this country) every so often showing its ugliness but still protected by all the “Canadiana” and myth of the gentle neighbor to the North. That is why it is still a problem, not just in Ontario but across the country.

[Sophia]

Anti- Black Racism is still a problem in a Ontario because the systematic structure and policies are still in grained in racism. I really enjoyed learning about the history of racism between the US and Canada and how NOT so far apart the two countries are regarding how they treat people of colour. In Canada I believe there is sometimes this politeness which in turn is actually microaggression and biases that individuals consciously or unconsciously display to towards people of colour. I am a Canadian born , parents are immigrants from the West Indies, I have experienced racism first hand in my work environment, microaggression from white males and females in power, even when I was trying to rent an apartment I was discriminated. I have experienced racism in my worth as a professional, almost sending a message you don’t belong, or you are not worthy to be in a certain position of power. I always feel there is that underlying sense of power whites exhibit , again whether they know are not, It feels uncomfortable, makes you feel less then, bringing it back to my first sentence the institutions, education, social services, government policies and makers all need to be inclusive in order for Ontario to change POWER has to change, people of colour need to have a voice at the head tables were change actually happens. A question that comes to mind is who actually cares about us the black people of this country, why don’t we not have power in certain aspects of our lives still to this day.

[Pat]

I remember the first time that I heard “If I Have A Son” by Ruth B. on Q on CBC. Thanks so much for sharing this playlist @Nkem 🎧

[Lisa]

I love this playlist ‘Rise up’ by Andra Day and ‘Rooted’ by Ciara are my favourites. ‘Conscious messages to jam too!’

[emily]

I believe and have learned that anti- Black racism is still persistent in Ontario for several reasons. Individuals often remain ignorant to the structural and historical roots of anti-Black racism that is prevalent in education curriculums and systems, the health care systems, legal system, employment structures, welfare systems etc. and see anti-Black racism as a purely individual issue. I also think thank the lack of education and acknowledgement of Canada’s history and present and individuals lack of accountability to self reflect and seek out additional information continues to cause anti-Black racism in Ontario.

[Deborah]

All of these responses are key as to why anti-Black racism remains a significant and troubling reality in Ontario and elsewhere. I have learned more history here in these modules than in all my years of educational forums. The persistent silence of Black and Indigenous history in education offered to generations of youth is complicit in the maintenance of racial inequities.

[Alicia]

What concerns me where I work is that we have research and recognize the institutional racism that exists. It is used in meetings and webinars, seminars etc. However, the system has not and is not changing. It has changed “terms” used and “structures” of certain programs but essentially it is all talk and no action. It’s a bait and switch…dressing something up and calling it something else…. I am seeing individuals who are making personal efforts to make changes but unfortunately, the “system” has remained unchanged.

[KELVIN]

It’s such a sad truth that a lot of us have observed similar things. Often people/systems/institutions who NEED to take trainings like this one are not the ones who are actually doing them. I think in general how we use research findings to change the impacts of racism takes two routes – “bottom-up” and “top-down”. Trainings like this one help us individuals to challenge ourselves in order to make internal and interpersonal changes in the right direction. When enough of us are able to do that, we hope that it would be enough force to drive systemic changes (bottom-up). However, it is equally, if not more, important that those decision-makers high up should also be educated in how racism is not an individual act but a systemic, institutional and historic issue (top-down).

[Alicia]

In my opinion, resources and structures of programs and services must be put into the hands of the experts (BIPOC) so that they are free to design and implement based on the known needs and can individualize and present opportunities for culturally relevant and responsive services.

[Alicia]

One simple thing I have implemented in my program with Black youth and wellbeing is validating feelings. I can’t assume that I know what that individual is dealing with from one day to the next-from home, school to community. I know I may not be able to change that experience but I can approach that individual with an empathetic ear, validate their feelings and ask them what do they need from me today?

[Alicia]

As I moved through this module, it was very upsetting to me to realize that most of the history I have learned in school in regards to institutional racism and the historical roots of racism in general, has been through an “American lens”. I valued this module so much as it taught me about important historical Canadian figures and their contributions. It is quite shameful that I was so unaware of many of these individuals.

[Julie]

Same!

[Christine]

I think many people in Ontario think “it doesn’t happen here” or “I don’t think that way, so it doesn’t exist for me”. Those are ignorant thoughts and we need to do better at educating everyone that racism STILL EXISTS and it needs to stop!

[Julie]

Thank you for sharing! It’s “Rooted” by Ciara and Ester Dean for me

[REX]

NEW Wi-Fi Project (Digital Canopy).

Are you or someone you know looking for a gateway into an IT career? Careers Education Empowerment Centre for Young Black Professionals in collaboration with Toronto Public Library, George Brown, and Cisco, will be supporting young Black Canadians to expand and gain the necessary skills to get started with a career in tech. This program starts on April 12, 2021.

Program Details:

• 12 weeks training and exposure with industry experts and trainers (CEE Essentials, Into to IoT, Networking Essentials and Wi-Fi Course)
• Job placement (Networking, Virtual exposure)
• Social and Financial supports (CEE wrap-around support)

Eligibility Criteria:

• Identify as Black/African Canadian
• Must be between the ages of 18-29
• Living in the GTA primarily (Rockcliffe-Smythe, Scarborough Village, West Hill, Thorncliffe Park)
• Out of School and Work

For more information, please visit CEE’s webpage.

[Alisha]

Ensuring we have hair and skin-appropriate products. People’s first impression of us are superficial ones, and people draw conclusions about who we are as people based on what we look like. Ensuring black youth have hair products (including picks) and skin care products that work effectively. This will hopefully allow them to feel better about themselves in general, but also allow them present better when going to school job interviews, housing viewings, etc.

[Alisha]

I have been working in the youth emergency shelter system, we know that black youth are over represented in the shelter system, we know that many youth in the shelter system have contact with family services (CAS), and have contact with the legal system, and health care system. Some strategies that I’ve found helpful and that contributed to overall wellness are:

1. Make sure that there are appropriate hair care and skin products available to participants.

2. Ensure that there are staff that reflect the populations being served (this does not mean just in frontline positions, but also in management – aka those who are planning programming, developing budgets and implementing trainings for frontline staff, who are doing hiring, etc).

3. Ensuring staff have a strong understanding of intergenerational trauma & colonization and how this influences peoples experiences and their trauma responses. (ie: staff may use religion as a way to cope with difficult / challenging conversations with (black) youth, but perhaps religion was used as a way to demonize the 2SLGBTQ* community, and someone may experience some big emotions when this strategy is used – how staff reflect on that that reaction is important and can impact service; did this person “lash out” or was this a trauma response due to the impact of generational trauma / colonization?)

4. Acknowledging that racism exists and provide space to talk about it and validate it. This means both in both smaller and larger groups – creating space that is safe(r) for black you to talk about their experiences.

5. Advocating for youth systemically in institutions – draw connections to race / statistics in advocacy. I once was advocating for a black youth in the health care system, where his very serious health concerns were often dismissed as him not eating health enough, they refused to acknowledge social determinants of the health and the impacts living in poverty had on the individuals health.

5. Reflect on their experiences with them in a way that feels meaningful to them. In one of my work places, a group of young black men spent a lot of time in the office talking about their experiences in relation to race and used humour as a way to connect with one another and share their experiences. We had a very white-female identifying staff and there was an ongoing discussion around how black male was viewed in relation to white women and how those interactions continue to be criminalized (not just by police, but also white men and women)

[Alisha]

I think about the types of information I am often reading re: ABR, and it is often coming out of the USA, as such, it makes it easy to dismiss it as an issue in Ontario / Canada, and only consider it in a US perspective. I also often think about the College Humor video titled “Diet Racism” which I think is often the perception in Ontario / Canada – based on conversations I have, there is the acceptance that racism exists here, BUT it’s not as bad as in the US so people feel okay with the status quo – these conversations extend to the black youth I work with.

<font face=”inherit”>I also reflect on the history that we </font>receive<font face=”inherit”> in our education system, which is incredibly white washed, and how people think that because of the Underground Railway, that Canada was somehow a safe haven for black slaves fleeing the US, and as such, we couldn’t perpetuate racism. I think this narrative has persisted, and Canada’s multicultural campaign ingrains this narrative further. </font>

<font face=”inherit”>So despite the evidence that is presented, the dominate narrative that persists allows people to turn a blind eye to what is actually taking place in people’s lives that contradict that narrative. </font>

[Annette]

Anti-black racism is and will continue to be a problem because Black children, youth and families are dealing with structural racism within our Society such as the school, system, child welfare system and the police system. All these system often criminalized and/or pathologized black families or black communities. There is also the institutional policies and procedures which they used as protection from the accountability of racism and oppression.

[Jae Woong]

Recently, I have participated in a webinar organized by YouthREX.

The webinar is called “From Trauma-Informed Care to Healing-Centered Engagement: A Youth Work Teach-In with Dr.Shawn Ginwright.”

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

I think this way of engagement will be helpful to positively engage with Black youth.

Healing centres-engagement will bring positive change for youth. I was impressed by Dr. Shawn Ginwright’s saying “trauma is systematic”.

This video is definitely interesting and helpful to support Black youth who face challenges.

[Jae Woong]

From Katarina’s information, this reminds me of the past 3 years ago when Canada started to legalize cannabis usage. As an international student who is from South Korea where cannabis usage is banned to use except for medical usage, I have not had cannabis.

I received information from my South Korean government saying people living in Canada should not do cannabis and there is the possibility to get charged if they find it out of using cannabis. I was scared to get closed for cannabis. However, I was always interested in the rules and potential health effects of cannabis usage.

Therefore, I wrote one paper that is related to cannabis usage and possible health outcomes. While I was on cannabis rules, I found that the rules are very similar to how people should use alcohol. However, I have seen people are not much following the rules Katarina has mentioned. I think this is happening because the media only highlights that cannabis usage is legal and okay to use in Canada!

I found many of my Canadian friends feel more comfortable using cannabis than alcohol.

I know that cannabis has positive effects on pain relief and has good potential for medical usage. I also found cannabis is controlled by the government. However, I found there is more need to include information and rules about cannabis usage.

[Jennifer]

Yes!! Totally agree, we need to challenge anti-Black racism and support Black youth wellbeing year-round, not just during February.

One thing I’ve been wondering about is making a long-term plan for anti-racism work. Many of us (myself included) get enraged about racism and anti-Black racism when a racist attack occurs and it goes viral / makes the news. In turn, folks tend to donate to organizations, legal funds, attend actions, etc but these actions can lose momentum within weeks or even days.

How can we sustain this work and specifically continually lift up social movements and organizations leading the fight against racism & anti-Black racism? Has anyone else created a long-term plan? Was it helpful?

[Andri]

Exactly Jane. It’s in our roots. It is inescapable. And the denial of it’s existence is quite persistent in those same communities that we have seen a rise in hate speech.

[KELVIN]

I’m also a big believer in the importance and power of the education system. Considering how a big part of the anti-black racism is multigenerational, meaning the discrimination and the damages are passed on from one generation to the next, it is almost a “no-brainer” to me that we stop racism at the youngest generation possible. It is great that we try to stop racism, but isn’t it a lot easier if we aren’t racists to begin with?

[Pat]

Thank you for breaking the strategies down this way! What you are saying makes so much sense to me. Sitting with the knowledge of how research can be used to change policies and practices in our agencies is one thing, but committing to putting this knowledge into motion and engaging your team in the process is key. I really like your idea of the “Article Club” prior to meetings.

[Lisa]

Hi Jane , I so agree with your statement about ‘ not trying to be something you are not.’ I have heard from several black youth about how much of a put off this is. I loved the video in the Knowledge hub about how to better engage black males around mental health services. One of the speakers mentioned creating a safe space where these men can come in and sit and say nothing for 5 sessions if that’s what they need. Allowing black youth more agency over what access and youth engagement should look like is in their best interests. Journey towards wellness or wellbeing looks different for each youth.

[Jae Woong]

Thank you so much for replying Kelvin! I really appreciate your comments! Yes, I started to find “social work bubbles” that many of my professors have mentioned. Social workers are trying to be look always “good” and “protect people from oppression”. However, this does not always happen, and social workers can become oppressors. I found having feedbacks from supervisors, colleagues and clients are very crucial to reduce the possible barriers that can be made to the youth.

I have lived in Canada for about 2 years and a half. Majority of my life, I was a dominant population, so I did not know what exactly means to be treated as a marginalized population.

The moment when I reached Canada, I felt this is a new place and people are very nice, but I could find some barriers as a racialized man.

I found allyships are very significant for positive change to Black youth.

[Chantal]

Yes, Haley!! Sometimes there is such a separation between those in power and those being impacted by the decisions made by those in power. The judgement of whether a decision was “good” or “effective” shouldn’t be made by those who crafted and presented those decisions. There needs to be accountability there, and community members are one level of accountability.

[Chantal]

For sure, stigma can and does act as a barrier to services. For you, Julie, or anyone responding in this thread, what does addressing that stigma tangibly look like? What could programs/program leads and participants do to confront that stigma?