Member Trina
MemberForum Replies Created
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Anti-Black is still a problem in Ontario because anti-Black racism still exists in schools. We need a school system in Ontario where the experiences of black students are centred and the knowledge, needs, and aspirations they bring into the classroom are honored and validated.
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This is really amazing thank you for sharing! I connect so much to music and think it can be so powerful. I will for sure be enjoying this playlist and will share with others too☺
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Thank you very much for sharing this.
I’ve taught the song “Rise Up” to my English class and it was very powerful. We listened to the song first, then followed along with the lyrics and lastly watched the music video. It was very interesting to see the different interpretations and connections.
Quite a few of the songs are explicit. Are there clean versions of those songs?
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Envisioning a future where Black youth are free from anti-Black racism requires proactive strategies within youth programs and services. Culturally competent training for staff, representation that mirrors the community, and safe spaces for expression are essential elements. Education on the history and impact of racism, community engagement for tailored program development, and intersectional approaches acknowledging various identities further contribute to inclusion. Advocacy for systemic change, robust evaluation mechanisms, and youth empowerment initiatives are crucial for sustained impact. By celebrating diversity, fostering mentorship, and actively involving Black community leaders, these programs can create environments that not only address the service needs and gaps faced by Black youth but also actively dismantle the barriers of discrimination and inequality.
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Addressing anti-Black racism in Ontario requires a multi-faceted approach that includes education, policy changes, diversity and a /ton/ of community engagement. I believe that a major contributor to this issue is the lack of diversity in leadership positions within healthcare institutions that contribute to the perpetuation of systemic racism. Diverse perspectives at decision-making levels are crucial for addressing and dismantling discriminatory practices. Leaders influence organizational policies and advocacy efforts. Diverse leadership can contribute to the development of policies that actively address and mitigate systemic racism within the healthcare system. They can also advocate for broader societal changes to promote health equity.
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Anti-Black Racism has a long history in Canada, and similarly in Ontario.
Therefore, it will take years of individual effort as well as systemic changes in order to make meaningful progress on this issue. Thanks to Youthrex for their efforts in this area, and I hope that we all agree that more work needs to be done to ensure that the Canadian black community is treated with fairness and as the integral part of Canadian and Ontarian society that they are.
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I think the narrative of the “cultural mosaic” of Canada and the lack of systemic recognition of Canada’s harm to racialized people allows a lot of racism to fester. Also a lack of a forum for free conversations around personal biases can make confronting systemic and personal discrimination difficult
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To help center the wellbeing of Black youth, I can continue to be an active listener while taking the time to practice my own critical self-reflection. By actively listening to my students’ experiences, I hope to be able to provide them with a safe space for them to express themselves and their concerns. From these conversations, I can then assist and support these students in finding the resources, mentorships, or any other campus supports they might need. Having gone through this course, I believe I am now certainly more attuned and aware of the racial inequities that are (and continue to be) taking place. In regard to a simple change that the organization could do, one would be to continue offering these types of learning opportunities across the institution while providing platforms for further discussions.
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By establishing a community of trust that promotes and models evaluation as an empowering process of intentionality, learning and ownership.
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Anti-black racism is not a new issue in Canada and has occurred in the education system for more than 160 years and includes the establishment of segregated schools for Black students. The impact and legacy of anti-Black racism date back to the North American Trans-Atlantic slave trade and the enslavement of Black people. Increased attention is now being paid to anti-Black racism because of recent global events. Black people and communities are not a monolithic group and come from diverse cultures, nationalities and have varying religions and customs.
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I think the true history of Canada is going to continue to be revealed. There is much that we do not know yet. I found Professor Michele Johson’s piece on the history of slavery in Canada to be very enlightening and disturbing at the same time. I just purchased a magazine called ‘Canada’s History’ and I am very interested to see what type of portrait it paints about Canadian History. The magazine features individuals like Mary Bibb (opened the first school for Black children) and Arthur Richardson (worked as a teacher and principal in Chatham and was the first Black man to attend the University of NB). These individuals were teachers in Canada in the late 1800s. One of the issues the stories talk about is how the white children responded when Black children entered the schools . I haven’t read it yet, but I will get back to you with more details. My feeling is that we will not be able to move forward and make changes in our world if we do not face the REAL truth about our history first.
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By teaching everyone, including ourselves, about the background, existence, and various manifestations of anti-Black racism in Canada.
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Calling out racism and discrimination when we encounter it, as well as confronting our own prejudices and stereotypes.
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I think there are several ways we can work towards dismantling anti-Black racism, including:
* Educating ourselves
* Listening to and understanding peoples’ truths
* Standing up for what is right
* Creating mutual relationships
* Providing equal access to health care and other resources by reducing barriers
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Keep talking about it!
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I would start with spreading awareness and promoting education.
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I’m not sure if or how I can answer this question. My brain is swirling with information and I am shocked at the lack of education I have experience about these issues. Michele Johnson’s lecture on Black Canadian History was shocking – I was never taught any of it in school. I think possibly that is where to start. In education. Teaching Black history and influence on Canada in all of its aspects. Listening to Andrea Davis lecture on black masculinity, also got me thinking about how economic position (the 1%, the wealthy) fuel anti-black racism. I think for a lot of while people, terms like white privilege and anti-black racism aren’t terms that they consider (example of white privilege) because they don’t face those specific terms in their daily lives. They don’t have to reflect on those issues so through ignorance they don’t realize they reinforce those realities for other people. I think for a lot of people that have been essentially beaten up by various systems e.g. lack of government supports, corporate downsizing etc that favour the wealthy, and when you see governments (mostly conservative) selling resources and things like healthcare to private companies; and as quality of life continues to get worse, white people have the same practical needs/fears/concerns as members of the black community. They’re effectively marginalized from an economic perspective and can’t access the resources necessary for survival. Where the current systems of control and oppression reinforce antiblack racism is by then saying the blacks, muslims, immigrants are going to take away what you little you have. The black lives matter movement is positioned by MSM and right wing media as a fundemental threat to whiteness and white existence. So when the black community is rightly standing up to say black lives matter, that they need the same supports and opportunities as members of other communities, “marginalized” white people then look at “Others” as a threat. Consquently, systems of antiblack racism are maintained in order to control the fear of marginalized whites to use as a weapon. I hope that makes sense. Bascially, as long as the powers that be remain in power, their will be a continuous struggle to dismantle anti-black racism.
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I’m imagining two things that are possible in my role. 1. To spend more time authentically listening to black youth, and only responding once I understand the issue. (Self Reflection, looking at any processes or procedures that may create barriers, looking at any implicit biases I or the institution may have). 2. Use whatever institutional power I have to validate those responses, critiques, and experiences, and put something into practice that addresses those issues. In effect, to center that response/critique in my own work.
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YouthREX is collaborating with Youth Opportunities Fund to host a conversation about evaluation in Ontario’s youth sector on Thursday, January 25, 2024, from 11AM to 12:30PM ET. 💬🔎📏📊✅💡
We know that evaluation can feel confusing, like extra work, disconnected from supporting youth and driven by misplaced accountability. But it doesn’t have to be this way!
This conversation will explore evaluation as a core strategy that youth programs can leverage to maximize their impact, and we encourage you to share your questions for our panel of special guests, including:
-Jasmine Noureddin, Lead, Program Evaluator, Youth Opportunities Fund
-Trevlyn Kennedy, Manager, Children & Youth Services, BLOCK Project, Dixon Hall
-Caroline Hummell and Adrienne Young, YouthREX’s Customized Evaluation Team
Do you have a question about evaluation that you’d like us to answer? Share it below! 🤓
You can also register to join us live, or send your questions to info@youthrex.com. 💻
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Contributing to centering black youth and raising awareness about black racism specifically requires a collective of individuals, communities, and institutional bodies to be actively engaged in the work that is to be done for positive change. I believe more inclusive spaces should be made available for such underrepresented groups, to allow for a sense of inclusivity and empowerment, as well as a space to have voices and stories heard. Educating others is another crucial piece of this, in providing historical knowledge, information, and overall awareness to the cultural and social issues that have been persistent over the years. With this, others will be able to relay such information and offer reliable sources to help increase awareness and a better understanding of the many experiences and struggles faced. With this, we can represent, empower, and advocate for these individuals by continuing to provide resources, support, and guidance. The voices, experiences and perspectives of black youth should be the face of these conversations and content generated by involving and highlighting any achievements, challenges and contributions of black individuals and communities. Ongoing and active empowerment, advocacy, and collaboration towards racial justice and equality through anti-racist initiatives, sharing stories of resilience, and encouraging others to take action against racism in their own communities can amplify all efforts in contributing to a collective movement for change.
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I feel I have always shown sensitivity to all cultural groups and tried to become more educated on/aware of the racial inequities up until this current point in time. I can genuinely understand and empathize with the information given and be able to process it all in a way that can gain my experience/knowledge to be able to then pass it onto others. Focusing on this and having these open discussions available will open doors to other groups who face similar challenges. Although I have not walked in the direct shoes of such underrepresented groups of individuals, I am constantly learning. I have completed ongoing training and professional development in other areas that enhance the knowledge of this, whether it be here at York or throughout my Undergraduate and Graduate education. However, I would like to continue to become more aware of the inequities that these underrepresented groups face so that I can educate others and utilize this knowledge in my professional and personal life to be more sensitive and understanding of the many perspectives faced.
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It is crucial to note that racism has been a complex issue influenced by various factors over the years, including historical, social, and systemic elements. While progress has been made in addressing racism, its persistence can be attributed for several reasons. Historical legacies that we are made aware of have contributed to the perpetuation of racial inequalities. These legacies have then shaped societal structures and attitudes, leading to systemic discrimination against black individuals. Unconscious biases and stereotypes also continue to influence perceptions and treatment of black people. These biases manifest into various settings, such as education, employment, housing, and criminal justice systems, leading to ongoing disparities and unequal opportunities. Lack of awareness and understanding about the experiences and contributions of black communities contribute to the perpetuation of stereotypes and discrimination. Education and awareness initiatives are crucial in challenging these biases and promoting inclusivity for all. However, addressing racism requires ongoing and collective efforts from individuals, communities, institutions, and governments. It involves implementing policies and practices that promote equality, diversity, and inclusion, as well as actively challenging discriminatory behaviors and attitudes. It is important to recognize that progress is being made in combating anti-black racism in Ontario, but there is still a lot of work to be done to achieve a more equitable and inclusive society overall.
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By using the Conclusions reached by interpreting the Evaluation of previous iterations of the programs and applying them on newer iterations and then evaluating what those changes did or didn’t do.
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Clear and direct language and communication, having a diversity methods of explanation and evaluation, having a clear and non-judgemental option to not participate in the evaluation.
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Having only a week of in person contact with our participants is a challenging barrier to evaluation. Dealing with relationships and human connections brings some barrier of human complexity and nuance of individual styles of relating. Evaluating and getting feedback from stakeholders not at camp is another barrier to be overcome.
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I think Evaluation is like a Scout behind enemy lines because it helps us get important information to decide on an appropriate path to “Victory” but we need a well trained scout (good Evaluation skills) and the proper objective for the scout (focus on important questions) to be able to gather useful information and plan a good strategy.
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Anti-Black Racism was and doomed to be a chronic problem not only in Ontario, but also in many parts of the world, due to the complexity of it’s historical roots. Even today, so many racial inequalities are happening around us, which can be observed in areas such as education, employment, housing, and criminal justice system, etc. As an individual, I can only try my best to support the students to get what they are looking for, and I hope there will be more comprehensive and sustained effort involving individuals, communities, institutions, and policymakers into anti-black racism practices. Initiatives that promote inclusivity, diversity, and equality in all aspects of society are essential for creating lasting change.
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I don’t think this is something that will be something that will every be done easily. I think it comes down to education, but also a willingness from those in power to change. Pathways towards inclusion will require the re-structuring of current systems. More self and critical awareness and built infrastructure of laws and policies to enforce these ideas. I thought the notion of building statistics to enforce how filling those service gaps and creating inclusion in systems is more likely to create policy change. If you can demonstrate to governing bodies how they may make more money and build more power by buying into these changes, I think they will happen. Until then, it is just a grass roots movement, but so was recycling, so there is still hope out there.
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How does a person extract the xenophobic membrane, which is in itself an epidemic and appears to be an intrinsic part of human ‘perception’. I feel that Anti-black racism – indeed racism of any kind will be a slow process of individuals reconciling generalizations, interacting with an individual instead of a race. Although legislation and education may go a long way, I feel that the eradication of racist behaviour can be accomplished within the mind and soul of individuals. I feel solutions will need to start at a micro level in order to replace acceptance or opinions made in the haste of generalizations.
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I often feel like it is easier to use quantitative and statistical research in policy and law, but that it is qualitative research (interviews, narratives, personal experiences, art and personal responses and stories,) that really help people who live outside of that narrative and experience to connect on a human level and have empathy and understanding. Policy change is driven by enough people getting angry or passionate enough about a topic or issue, to take direct action through protest, lobbying or voting accordingly. When we read about statistics, we may have a moment of concern or discomfort, but it doesn’t tend to lead to direct action. I think the promotion of initiatives that would support the collection and broadcast of stories, experiences and responses to the lived experience of anti-black racism would be a more direct and effective way to help people understand and respond to issues surrounding anti-black racism in our university and in black families. I think this is an interesting question. There is so much data… until new data drives policy change and laws, nothing much tends to change.
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Here is a link to learn more about how we can get youths more involved. 8 Ways to Engage Youth in Community Action: Empowering the Next Generation of Philanthropy » Philanthropy Together
philanthropytogether.org
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