Member Selena
MemberForum Replies Created
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I think module 1 speaks volumes to this question. There is a complete lack of awareness, indifference, ignorance, prejudice, privilege, power imbalance and perpetuation of the myth about the tolerance of Canadian society that contributes to anti-Black racism in Ontario. I don’t ever remember being taught anything about black history in school. In my profession, there aren’t many people of colour in leadership roles, and there certainly were only passing references to racism when I was in university. If you watch TV or social media, there are only ever negative portrayals of black people. Even with decades of research and the slow awakening to the reality of minority groups around the country, things will not change until systemic racism is challenged and changed. In my workplace, I am privileged to work with people from around the world, and we openly talk about power, privilege, racism, ageism, etc. and how we can work to change things, even in small ways. We do this because it’s going to take time for systemic racism to be thoroughly addressed, and we recognize that things need to change now.
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Hi Shelly
I thoroughly agree with your comment!
Module 1 touched on this question throughout, and I think so much of it is a lack of information and a lack of knowledge, not recognizing bias, and privilege’s. One thing that really was eye opening were the statistics regarding COVID in Canada, more specifically Toronto (close to home for me). Why is there not further supports for people of colour regarding COVID, with the rates being so high, why are we not talking about it more? Why are things like this not being reported on the news, but white individuals in positions of power are all over the news consistently.
In university, I was lucky to be in a program/ area that challenged bias, made us recognize our own privilege’s and oppressions, and what this meant for our work. I have now taken this into my work in the field. -
Hi Shelly,
Thank you for sharing with us this week. I would like to echo your statement about Anti-Black racism continuing to exist in Ontario due to the perpetuation of the myth that Canada is a cultural mosaic for all people. The underpinning of this myth is quite simple in my eyes, a Canadian cultural mosaic is one where people assimilate and conform to normative systems of whiteness. Here, Black bodies are only allowed to exist on the condition that they assimilate, and in events where they do not, they are criminalized and stereotyped.
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I think we, as a society, need to acknowledge the realities of black people in this country. I thought the first module spoke to this issue quite well. But there is much more to be done. Knowledge needs to inform action and change. You can talk to people, ask questions, and discover what their experience(s) are like in your field of work, and integrate that knowledge to change the perceptions of people around you and your superiors.
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To celebrate International Literacy Day on September 8th, YouthREX and The Reading Partnership are co-hosting a conversation about the importance of literacy learning that centres the cultures, histories, and identities of Black communities. You can learn more and register on our website!
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Yes, I feel the same way. If we don’t give voice to black communities, then no one can know of their history and realities.
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I agree; in high school, I remember history class was taught by an old white man who had the power to teach what he wanted and what he thought was important. As a class, we asked why he was not teaching about slavery in Canada. He looked at the class and said that it is not essential and moved on—neglecting to consider the damage, especially when most of the class was black. It was simple as that to dismiss that part of Canada’s history. Unless we teach our youths ourselves, they will never learn about black people’s contributions to Canada.
I believe that anti-black racism is still a problem in Ontario because they can hide behind the notion that “at least we are not like the US..” It is not in your face as it is in the States, so it is easy to ignore it and act as if it is not a problem here in Ontario.
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Hi M
You bring up a really great point! I was reflecting on my experience in history class years ago, and thinking about some of the points brought up in module 1. It is so important that the context of ABR is discussed with our youth!! I find that I’m currently in a long process of un-learning and re-learning so much of our history and understanding the context to which many black people have had to live through.
It is so important that educators take reflect on their role in a student’s life, because you’ve very clearly highlighted the issue. There is so much power and teachers have a large voice to play in shaping what our students learn and discuss about. ABR is such a problem in Ontario, and will continue to be, unless we have these conversations with our youth and empower them by learning. Our history hasn’t always been pure, and if we continue to teach it that way (like highlighting the underground railroad, but not slavery in Canada), we continue to do a disservice and perpetuate ABR.
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So many important points have been brought up here. I’ve had very similar experiences in school and today my children are still having these experiences. In order to learn about Black history, one must seek the information as it is not a part of the curriculum. This is concerning on so many levels especially when we talk about our young people and their identity forming. Representation is amiss and they are being bombarded with images of stereotypes and racial biases rather then learning of their roots.
Another thought that I struggled with was my new-found knowledge that slaveholders were paid large gratuities for wages lost after slavery was “abolished”. There was never any formal acknowledgement or reconciliation for Black folks so learning that this is very bothersome. I think a large part of the issue, with respect to ABR, is that governments have never admitted to or issued any sort of real apology that identifies the centuries of racism and erasure that has occurred. As far as I am concerned, this needs to be one of the first steps.
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I really loved all of the modules, and the reason we still have so much anti-Black racism is the lack of mandatory Black history in the curriculum in the school systems, both in Canada and the USA.
First of all, the history of slavery and how Blacks came to be in the Americas is not included or “just enough” and white washed with only the “good stuff” the “benevolent” actions of a few progressive minds of the eras. Second of all, the youth need to be taught history in a fun or interactive way instead of as an obligation and not only during Black History Month. I remember black history being an elective in high school and very few if any white kids taking it. The class consisted mostly of brown or black youth and was taught very dryly by an elderly white male teacher (nothing wrong with that but the lack of interest was obvious).
Many more educational campaigns can be run with Black history or prominent Black leaders represented by being in the news and in the spotlight of all industries rather than just the entertainment world. Black leaders can be approached for mentorship programs with the youth as a mainstream youth program rather than just for Black youth. Youth of all ages and backgrounds need to benefit by seeing Black leaders coming from all industries and fields to actually make a difference in the mindset of the youth. Perhaps then we will start to see a change on ABR during our own lifetime.
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We are hosting another conversation around young caregivers in October, I hope you can join us! Here is the link: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/oco-webinar-a-conversation-with-young-caregivers-tickets-153812959703?aff=erelpanelorg
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Yay! Thank you for sharing. 🙂
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I think that ABR exists in Ontario because while many are aware of ABR, they are complicit through inaction.
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Being complicit really stood out for me during the 1st module. Inaction is nurtured in our many organizations and I feel like folx are also in token numbers and often have to carry and spearhead initiatives while enduring and navigating systems of oppression and performative allyship. We do need to continue to unravel the truth! I believe the historic segment of module 1 was very powerful and reaffirmed that Black folx are very much a part of the foundation of Canada. This point can truly empower us and the youth we engage with.
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Many of the speakers have mentioned this, but it’s the erasure of Black history in Canada. The presence of people from Africa, the Caribbean, etc. is thought to be fairly recent, but in reality they have been here even before Canada became Canada. By erasing their contributions, we are essentially saying that they don’t deserve to be here because they came after the “whites”. On top of this, when compared to the United States, Canada has had a smaller presence in the international field. This means that even though slavery and anti-Black practices have existed here, they weren’t as well-known as the United States. This makes many Canadians, even immigrants of colour, believe that Canada is very tolerant and may have a few racist people around some places, but it’s not common. When one anti-black event happens, it is brushed off as a one-time thing rather than a recurring issue because, as I have mentioned, the United States has “more” issues (which are more pronounced due to their status in the world as well as their population numbers).
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What does it tell you about the program? For example, is there a gender imbalance in your program? What age of youth attend the program? Where are youth coming from geographically to attend your program?
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On my point of view , the society is still denying that it’s a reality, and thinking it’s just actions from individuals. This kind of position can’t open the floor to real changes and relevant actions. Also, the persons in charge of making decisions in our society need to be conscient, aware and willing to stop anti-Black racism. Recognize, acknowledge then take actions to make it works.
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Great point Eric! When reading this question my initial thought went to the cognitive dissonance theory and how individuals are in denial as to the true realities of our society. Individuals see acts of anti-Black racism on the media and sum it up to rare occurrences or something that does not/wouldn’t happen within their own communities in order to justify their thoughts and perceptions. It is these acts of justification and defensiveness that continue to perpetuate anti-Black racism in our society and hinder us as a collective unit to take action and make a change.
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Are you a 2SLGBTQ+ young person living in Canada?
The SAFER (Safer Access for Everyone in the Rainbow) Project is including 2SLGBTQ+ young people in preventing and addressing gender-based violence across Canada. Wisdom2Action is recruiting 8 people aged 16-24 with diverse lived experiences to join the Youth Advisory Committee. This is a paid opportunity. Please click here to fill out the application.
Due: August 9th, 2021
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Project Canoe and Green Thumbs, based in Toronto, are coordinating Local Explorers, a program for Black and Indigenous girls, non-binary, and 2S youth to connect with nature, and to create and heal relationships. They will have monthly in-person and virtual sessions to come together and learn, reflect, and share in positive and liberating ways. They will have overnight retreats during Winter and Spring break, as well as a canoe trip in July 2022.
There is no cost to participate, and the program will run biweekly from September 2021 to June 2022. All program information, including the application, can be found online.
Although there is no application deadline, the program does have limited spots and youth may be placed on a waiting list. If you have any questions, you can contact Segen Mehreteab, Local Explorers Program Manager, at segen@canoe.org.
Please feel free to share this opportunity with your networks and with any youth who may be interested and eligible. Thank you! 😃
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Share programs and other opportunities for young people in communities across Ontario.
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The recording of our webinar conversation is now available on our Knowledge Hub! Thank you to @kathleen and to Liam and Jillian for sharing with us. ❤
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Thank you again for hosting us Kathe, what a great experience this has been!
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❤❤❤
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ICYMI, the recording of YouthREX’s webinar with the Ontario Caregiver Organization is now available on our Knowledge Hub! Thank you to Kathleen and to Liam and Jillian for sharing with us. ❤
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The “Readiness for Evaluation Metaphor Activity” provides this example of a metaphor: “Evaluation is like a camera because it lets you take a picture of what’s going on, but it can only capture what you point it at, and only for a particular time. My concern with this evaluation is that it won’t give the whole picture”.
What is your metaphor for evaluation: “Evaluation is like a ___________ because ____________”.
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Thank you for sharing, Jane — that reframing really resonated for me, too!
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WOW ! Dr Shawn Ginwright’s session of “From Trauma-informed Care to Healing Centered Engagement ” was a totally excellent, dynamic and informative session !The life affirming approach of focusing on an individual’s assets, …what’s right with me rather than what’s wrong with me, is refreshingly forward thinking. I believe it’s a more self inclusive healing approach. I love the words from one of the imprisoned individuals…paraphrased, ‘ I am more than my worst thing ‘. Thank you for this well prepared ,tool- building “teach -In ” session !
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YES!! Very powerful song
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I agree with you completely on this point.
