Member Vivian
MemberForum Replies Created
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As a professor who works with diverse students striving to become educators themselves, I think including ABR curriculum in all of courses is critical but also ensuring this content and awareness is encouraged in all students so they can bring forth this awareness to their own practice of teaching in the future. I also think we need to see more representation in the curriculum and continue to steer away from Eurocentric lenses.
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It is so important to move beyond identifying the service needs and gaps Black youth face, to proactively design pathways to inclusion in the youth sector. This can be done by leading black youth initiatives and programs with black youth and their families at the forefront. Representation is essential to any changes in institutions and services, and it’s imperative to have black representation and voices in agency roles that are involved in decision making.
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I work with student volunteers. One simple thing I can do is foster a constant open dialogue with my volunteer groups about the activities and campaigns we put on and provide as many opportunities as possible for them to shape, build, and lead what we do on behalf of the space. One simple thing my organization can do is maintain the collaborative partnerships they have with community organizations and establish a format to invite and receive feedback and suggestions from them that we can continue to learn and build from.
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Developing a way to incorporate strength based approach to working with others.
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I think the answer to this question is a layered one. Firstly, as stated in the lectures, and by many of the members on this platform, Canada was founded on racist principles, and this racism continues to permeate all aspects of our culture, systems, institutions, and in effect, our minds. While the history of Black people in Canada has been omitted from our academia and Canadian literature, the false justifications that allowed enslavement to take place in Canada continue to implicitly poison the minds of many Canadians in various ways. For instance, the racist claims that Black people were “soiled, deadly, sinister” and “subhuman” have contributed to their profiling and over-surveillance in the criminal justice system. This has of course resulted in extreme rates of Black incarceration, and for people who fail to look beyond the surface of this statistic, the interpretation is that Black people are somehow inherently more prone to criminality. Of course, this is just one of many examples that highlights the brutality towards Black people, but the point is that without the context of Black history in Canada, people (predominately white people) remain ignorant to the depth of this issue, allowing racist ideologies and behaviours to go unchecked, which in effect, perpetuates violence against and towards Black people. As we have learned, white supremacy thrives on invisibility, so this omission of Black history in Canada, is a strategic attempt to maintain racial hierarchies, as it keeps people uninformed and unaware of the true, racist principles that exist in today’s society. I want to be clear however, that this omission of Black history from our educational curriculum cannot be used as a valid excuse to remaining ignorant, as we live in a technological era where knowledge is at our fingertips.
I would also agree that Canada’s multiculturalism is a facade that conceals the racism and discrimination that pervades this country. In my experience, Canada’s multiculturalism is often used to divert and deflect attention away from issues of race and white supremacy, underestimating the pervasiveness of its impact. As a result, we often hear people (predominately white people) say, “Oh, Canada’s not that bad!” “At least we aren’t as bad as the States!” “Well, at least things have gotten better.” I would actually argue that Canada’s issue of systemic racism is worse than the states because it strategically and creatively conceals so much of its violence, that people (predominately white people) resist that it even exists, which in effect hinders the movement for racial equality and change. For example, it is very hard to fight for racial justice, when people are still in denial that racial injustice even exits.
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I think a major issue with anti-black racism persists in Ontario because many Ontarians do not want to believe or admit their own participation in such a broken and damaging system. The inaction, lack of awareness, and sometimes intentional silence creates a negative ripple effect to embolden the unfair and systematic discrimination faced by Black youth in particular. There also also amplifications that have occurred through online platforms, where racist vitriol finds its echo chamber to manifest through anonymized hatred. The latter especially is concerning as it creates a very deep mental divide in which racist ideologies can take root with an unfettered speed without stoppage. While technology is wonderful for learning and enlightening communication (as these brilliant modules and forums are), unfortunately it has been harnessed for the exact opposite as well…
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Such a good question. It really is making me reflect on this. Inclusion is such a word that we always think that we can just check a box and if that is happening then we are practicing it. But it really doesn’t work that way. What is inclusive for some is obstructive for others. We often talk of universal practices, and then we can find that this universality is excluding some. So in my mind, I think that to be truly inclusive, we have to try to be flexible and genuine in engagement, seeking multiple ways for expression to occur, working to be open to and listening to different ways/ideas/philosophies and compassionate.
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It is still a problem because the perception of Black lives has not been deconstructed and reappraised in a positive way in our media and political culture. This will take years of work as it took YEARS work to essentialize the black body as unimportant, dangerous and ungodly.
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The research findings consistently demonstrate that black youth and their families are disproportionately overrepresented in the criminal justice system, in the child welfare systems, and are more likely to experience suspensions in the education systems than their white counterparts. These examples are only some of the ways in which research demonstrates that there is systemic mistreatment that is rooted in anti-black racism resulting in the perpetuation of violence and marginalization of black youth and their families. It is so important then as youth workers to actively denounce anti-black racism, to believe our black youth and their families, and to provide services through a trauma informed lens that is culturally sensitive. Research demonstrates the issues that exist, and so we have a huge responsibility to use the knowledge that we are learning of black experiences to consider the sociopolitical experiences of black youth and their families, to be active allies and to listen to the voices of black youth and challenge everyday practices rooted in anti-black racism, in an effort to better serve black youth and their families.
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To me pathways to inclusion rest in the nurturing of meaningful partnerships and relationships. I work in a place where we have the opportunity to create programming and invite the public to participate but that in itself is not enough. The first piece is going into and meeting with your wider to community to build trust and rapport (proactive design). The space then comes second as a platform that can be offered and shared once that rapport is established and, indeed, my work has several community groups that we collaborate with constantly. What my experiences in my workplace and this excellent module have illustrated to me is that this work is long game and therefore it has to be real to succeed. You cannot create one new program and call it a day but instead you must ensure that you are always in dialogue with the community and always looking for new people, partners, or programs who offer something you don’t and then trying, as much as you are able and with their express permission, to make space and bring their efforts to the attention as others. I found all of Dr. Ayonrinde’s tip so useful especially his emphasis on authenticity and advocacy. Trust is crucial to consent and therefore pathways to inclusion is about a sincere commitment to life-long relationship building.
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Improving youth programs and evaluation is critical to hearing from the youth themselves. Allowing them to use their voice and have their voice count, be heard and taken into consideration when evaluating programs for youth is very important. Through their lens and views other youth will feel comfortable to share their thoughts and feelings. Having youth evaluate and give input critical to understanding what works and doesn’t work. When youth are involved in planning, evaluation and programming the outcome will hopefully be more positive and this is the true stages of “improving” rather than just “prove”. Collection of voices coming to together expressing their views/ issues is better than being talked to about your issues and views and not being taken into consideration your experience, living through the sitaution.
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One simple thing I can do is to pay Black youth to participate as leaders who review and critique our programming, and have their say on how to improve it. I can take that one step further and try to facilitate conversations between this leader group and the organization that I work for, so that the youth may have their say not only on one program, but on the organization as a whole, its mission, strategies and programming. This is of course out of my hands, but I can talk to my superiors and try to convince them to participate in these kinds of conversations with youth.
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Making an effort to amplify Black voices in both of my jobs. As a municipal councillor I can amplify the voices of black council members and policy makers which can help connect black youth I know with professionals they may see themselves in.
As a college professor I can invite black youth to various tables and amplify their voice at those tables.
Amplification doesn’t sound like much but it is a simple thing to start.
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Such a large and important question.
I think something that may help would be to tackle what part of the third module described as the way dominant forces use the lack of explicit racism as a way to befuddle the anti-racist argument.
That so much of our systems are perpetuated by values that reinforce racism and classism and many other things but that in a vacuum are not explicitly doing so provides so much cover for white supremacy and other ills
I think a lot of people who hold up dominant structures in our society (including white supremacy) continue to make the case for slower progress, more easing in, prolonging just treatment in order to not have to not deal with personal discomfort within the dominant group while actually perpetuating harm (not just discomfort) to others.
It’s like saying “ok, it’s bad but you can’t expect US to change quickly” as though we as the settler group, the colonial group (who continues to reap benefits from colonialism) who imposed often through violent means massive changes on many groups and continues to use various forms of violence to perpetuate white supremacy – this group keeps using power in numbers and in disinterest to maintain as much of the status quo as possible.
Incrementalism disguised as progress. Holding out, slowing up change, acting as though things just sort of naturally arrived this way instead of looking at all the organized oppressions that had to take place to create these systems while ignoring all the organizing and coalition building that had to take place to even push the heavy boulder that is society towards any dismantling of these structures.
This might also relate to the feelings we sit with if we try to work from a cause advocacy framework too. Lots to unpack for me here and thanks for allowing some space to do so while also reading many insights from the group of commenters here in these discussion boards.
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I work in higher education and I see a gap once these youth become adults in supporting them in a system that does not recognize their experience as Black youth. I think every post secondary institution should have trained staff and faculty that understand the different approaches needed to help young Black students move through higher education in a healthy way, feeling supported and understood.
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One thing from module 2 that I keep coming back to is from the masculinity lecture.
Early in the lecture a youth is quoted discussing the need to make a choice between success and separation from family and community in order to do so. The lecturer discusses the dynamics of unfairness with having to make that choice and choices like it. Another young person discusses needing to put his aunt’s address on job applications for a similar reason.
Then near the end of the lecture a youth talks about not seeing examples of that kind of success in his neighbourhood.
The systems in place encourage young people to separate from their community in order to achieve societally deemed forms of success but separation also creates a distance between “successful people” and youth wanting mentors and examples.
It reinforces negative narratives of neighbourhoods and reinforces whiteness in doing so.
I don’t have a solution for this but I do work in a college in a major city in Ontario with Black young adults – many of whom do use education towards successful outcomes. I hope to bring this point up with allies at my workplace going forward and see if there is any interest from my students in perhaps finding ways to connect on this problem. To help show strengths to younger folks.
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Knowing that many black youth statistically have a lower rate of high school completion and how streaming is still a thing where their talents can be underestimated and future opportunities can be diminished by this process, it’s important to have real in depth discussions with youth where we assume their success and hold high expectations for them in their future pursuits. To really discuss the pros and cons of taking certain classes, check back in with their goals and let them know the groundwork they have to lay now to achieve their dreams. Let’s look at the research of why these youth are disengaged and fill in the gaps. Let’s assume all of our black youth will go on to post secondary or training opportunities and let them know how to get there step by step. They may require greater support and encouragement to persist in a system where they are not as visible, their history has been concealed and they’ve been met with low expectations. Let’s also take advantage of mentorship opportunities for them, getting them connected with prosocial activities, advocating for more supports in and out of class to increase their chances of success.
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Hi, for me I think it’s explicitly asking about race ‘ “how does it feel to be a young black man/woman” in today’s society? And giving them the space to share because I don’t think a lot of times black people get asked this question. I would also like to create a drop in space where black teens can discuss any issues that are relevant to them with a focus on developing resiliency and awareness of their history.
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As long as people of the privileged demographic continue to remain silent and in denial, anti- black racism will continue to thrive and stay alive. With regards to racism, white silence is equivalent to consent. The people who benefit from having all the privileges or the power often will not speak up when put to the test to invoke change. Often times, not all but after some witness deliberate acts of direct or indirect racism towards black people they will not be the ones to stand up for what is right for fear of standing out. No one wants to admit the errors in what they see or acknowledge the fact that anti-black racism is real. Anti-black racism as we know it is by no means “invisible”. I believe people in Canada go along with that narrative because it is easier to avoid or dismiss the topic. “Out of sight, out of mind” right?? – If anti-black racism isn’t seen or is invisible, it takes the onus away from the people causing the oppression to take accountability for their actions. Its no secret that anti-black racism has been prevalent in society for many generations. The unfortunate truth is that it is often times, more comfortable for the privileged and powered to turn a blind eye, ignore and dismiss a foreign reality to them. One they will never have to come to terms with or live with; because they will never have to live to experience systemic oppression in employment, education, housing, healthcare etc. No one wants to take accountability because they don’t feel they need to. The truth is, active racism is acceptable because the ones who are active participants 1) have company and 2) for that reason feel comfortable to openly display racism towards black people.
The irony in all of this is that many of the people who are openly racist are some of the same people who tend to put up a façade and pose to be the “spokesperson” for fighting against anti-black racism. Are often the ones who are “supposedly” making a conscious effort to dismantle systemic oppression within frontline youth work related environments. Newsflash: If Black youth and adolescents are facing anti-black racism, Black educators are facing those same challenges too. No one speaks on it though. The way how I see things, it all comes down to saving face, to avoid the label of being called a racist. The irony is, in these youth work related environments there tends to be an excessive amount of posters and signs plastered all over the walls and hallways of schools that are designed to create a so-called anti- black racism milieu. When in fact this isn’t the case. Often times the words on those posters are just that- words; without any action to support them. Its almost like a disclaimer, which in my personal opinion is a message being relayed to youth and adolescents under false pretenses. Those signs on the walls of classrooms, and hallways are often a way to “appear” as if ones intent is to genuinely dismantle and combat anti black racism; when in fact its just a means to cover grounds and appear to be supportive of the cause, it’s a all a façade…Don’t get me wrong, there are many non-black people who are not racist. Many are fighting the good fight, standing their ground and many who are pushing for more inclusivity and equitable practices to be implemented…
The irony is that many youth work related environments convey these messages (or writings on the wall) to black youth and adolescents as a means to create the illusion of security. While at the same time diminish the struggles of those same challenges of black educators which are parallel experiences to those faced by youth and adolescents alike. All fighting the same barriers of systemic racism, and systemic oppression without the acknowledgement of what black people as a whole must face and endure on a daily basis. Systemic oppression with regards to education and being railroaded to dead end academic streamlines, employment bias, employment application discrimination, etc. and not being afforded the same opportunities as white counterparts. Anti-black racism exists due to the strongholds of structural racism and people in high ranking positions who abuse their power and control to manipulate the system to fulfill their biased agendas throughout institutions. To begin to dismantle anti-black racism, these strongholds must be broken down from the root and annihilated to begin to see positive changes.
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Love this part: “…many youth work related environments convey these messages (or writings
on the wall) to black youth and adolescents as a means to create the
illusion of security. While at the same time diminish the struggles of
those same challenges of black educators which are parallel experiences
to those faced by youth and adolescents alike.”Real talks… thanks for sharing.
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Thank you for drawing my attention to this sheet! It will be shared with my team.
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I agree with the six signs of risky or harmful cannabis use. The students that I work with are in grade 7 and 8. They are using cannabis and I find they don’t often understand the psychological effects that smoking has on the brain and changes in mood. I believe supporting youth in evaluating their use is important by getting youth to understand their stress levels and how stress affects their mood and behaviour by observing and tracking how they respond when on and off cannabis.
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You can say that again!
Unfortunately, talking and theorizing often replaces action and change rather than complimenting it.
We have industries built on the exploiting Black youth and we have industries and careers built on recycling “nuanced” discourses about the said exploitation – and these industries are all cousins… related and rooted in the same system and culture of repression.
The “bottom up” approach is excluded as the self-righteous social justice initiatives both protest and protect system-level injustice.
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Thanks Raven and I agree with that as well. Emboldened is the word I keep thinking about.
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Perfectly said! Sharon you articulated that beautifully.
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Thank you Marc for sharing your experience and perspective. I completely agree with what you said about there being lots of actively racist individuals/organizations.
Unfortunately, I also feel that these individuals and organizations are becoming more comfortable to express themselves in that manner.
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Thank you Jane for sharing/recommending the Journey to Justice documentary. Me and my friend recently watched it and it’s so insightful. I wish my school had shown us this years ago!
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100% agree. You would think with all the advances to research findings there would be more of a plan and/or response from our government leaders, but unfortunately no. Your right we do need strategies put into place to better address the racism black people face daily. Thanks so much for your insight.
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Thank you Mary Lou!
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I completely agree with you Jasmyne! It is incredibly important to include Black youth in this process and also understand how they want to be included. Like you said there are many opinions and experiences and with that, I believe we can get a wealth of knowledge on how we can better assist and help Black youth. It’s been mentioned before but it’s true; we have to learn from our past so we don’t make the same mistakes in the present.
Using the research that has already been provided, we can dive deeper and get the voices that matter for the programs to be beneficial for the service users. If we are having a program for Black youth, then we wouldn’t be doing it justice if we didn’t include their experiences, their knowledge and their opinions. Having a greater understanding and different perspectives will be beneficial on all levels, that’s how we can all grow and have more empathy towards each other!
