[Danielle]

I think the research findings indicate to us that there are still large gaps within the system that need to be rectified. As mental health workers, social workers, and child and youth workers, we must continuously be seeking out these sources of information in order to expand our personal practices and gain the tools and knowledge needed to challenge the system as a collective unit.

[Jodie]

One thing I would like to do at the organization I work for is gather better demographic information about the families we currently work with to help identify gaps in our support. I am currently in the process of developing both a survey and an application form and I want to make sure I am asking the right question and in the right way.

I would like to ask the families to identify their ethnicity(ies). Does anyone have tips on what the option I list should include or other tips on asking this question in an inclusive and sensitive way? Thank you!!

[Luciano]

In my opinion, anti-black racism isn’t a problem only in Ontario. It is a global struggle we face for ages that has its roots in the economic-political-social system we live in. We can’t forget that slavery was the economic power of Europeans for centuries, and it ended has less than two centuries, but it doesn’t mean that equity and equality began to be part of our ancestor’s lives in a blink. We are here, in this moment of history, discussing it. As Asante Haughton claimed, we shouldn’t have to say this. However, here we are and will be to spread our fight, conquer our rights, and freed our people.

[Chantelle]

We need to create a space and continue dialogue among the staff about the culture around anti-black racism in our workplace and everything that it entails. In turn the same thing needs to be given to the youth.

[M]

I agree with you Chantelle, open dialogue in the workplace needs to happen every day around anti-black racism and how improvements can always be made as an organization, and no one stays complacent with how things are. I believe for productive conversation to happen, individuals need to be uncomfortable.

I see many organizations, especially schools, sit at a table and discuss improving black youth’s experience in schooling. At the table, you have the principal, vice-principal, teachers, social worker and CYW’s, all individuals of importance but the EXPERTS of their own experience, our black youths. How do you have a productive, meaningful and impactful conversation if the voice of the youth is not at the forefront? We can centre black youths in our work by bringing them to the table.

[Kaitlyn]

As a mixed-blood (White and Indigenous) person, I would contribute to the legacy of anti-Black racism due to Canada’s ongoing settler colonial narratives. As unfortunate as it is, I have never been taught about the colonial past and present and how it will continue to manifest in the future. It was only until I entered university for social work that I was told about Canada’s complicity in the continual colonial project. However, when I converse with others in other programs, such as business or law, none of them are aware of colonization. Colonization is inherently intertwined into all of these systems – why is it that business students are not taught about the structures that profit from the appropriation of Black culture? Why are law students unaware of the disproportionate rates of Black youth in the child welfare system or Black Peoples in the carceral system? Ontario should be employing an education system that ensures that the history of Canada’s truth is told and that takes accountability for these wrongdoings, makes amends, and strives towards fostering meaningful and authentic relationships with Black and Indigenous communities.

The ability for Canada and Ontario to hold a façade of innocence is due to the settler colonial narratives that erase and displace settler guilt and accountability.

[Andrea]

Thanks Kaitlyn (and those who replied to her post). The reality that our public education system continues to whitewash history sits in stark contrast to stated goals in their “Education Equity Action Plan.” It was only through post-secondary education that I learned more about BIPOC truths and experiences. This learning has not ended and I deeply appreciate the opportunity to listen and learn from this platform.

[Lindsay]

I would like to echo what Kaitlyn is highlighting regarding the education system. Canada’s history of colonialism and racism is completely invisible in the current curriculum and only if one is undertaking their own post secondary education around social justice is it part of one’s education.

This proves the invisibility of white supremacy in the Canadian school system and that we should take note of what information is shared and what remains behind closed doors. There is no reason that in high school history classes this is completely omitted from the curriculum.

[Jovelle]

I completely agree with you Lindsay. In school, I found that anti-black racism and the history of Canada and colonization in this area was never taught in the curriculum and slavery was somehow deemed to be only ‘exclusive’ to America. Although I am black, I was not fully aware of Canada’s shocking and terrifying past in relation to black Canadians and the racial violence and discrimination that they faced. In not teaching this part of history to students, I feel this further perpetuates anti-black racism in Ontario and diminishes the importance of this core education. Lastly, I think if it was added to the curriculum, it would allow black students’ the ability to feel more seen.

[Melri]

I agree Lindsay, the history of colonialism and racism was invisible when I was in elementary and high school (many years ago) and continues to be invisible today. I asked some recent high school graduates what they remembered learning and they also did not learn anything about this part of history. Our elementary and high school curriculum needs to change.

[Cecilia]

I think that a big piece of why anti-Black racism still persists is because so many people are still so indifferent to it and it’s harms. Because they are not affected/directly affected by it, they don’t feel incentivized to care. That’s why the work that this certificate does in teaching is so important. It opens people’s eyes to the fact that not only should you fight against anti-Black racism because it’s the right thing to do, but in fighting against anti-Black racism, the world gets better for every single one of us.

[Gerry]

I agree!! I also agree with so many other opinions and insights. Anti-Black racism is a globle stuggle. I live in the States (Arkansas). As, I’m learning (captivating) of Canada’s history of colonialiam and racism – I forgot at times and had to STAY mindful that the focus is on Canada’s (Ontario) anti-Black racism youth & families and not the USA. Both Canada & America. The fight is hard. I will continue to fight for and with our youth in nurturing each one to use their vocies, talents and leadership.

[Ren]

I agree, and I think it’s important to learn about where this indifference comes from and how we can prevent it from continuing to develop. Personally, I think it comes from a lack of exposure to different cultures when growing up. People from monocultural communities are more likely to not understand the lives (both good and bad) of other cultures. This later develops into the indifference and inconsiderate behaviour we see as some of these people don’t understand why what seems like common sense to them may be impossible for others.

[Laura]

I don’t really have anything new to add here that hasn’t already been said. There are too many people who deny that anti-Black racism is a problem here and even some of those that do recognize it exists still fall into the traps of white supremacy and systemic racism.

[Krystyna]

Hi Laura. I also found that I did not really have anything to add to the discussion. I think anti-Black racism is still a problem in Ontario because those with privilege choose inaction or fall on the “at least we aren’t the USA” without learning or taking action.

[Shelly]

I think that fundamentally, the research on the impacts of anti-Black racism simply isn’t real (or convenient) for most people. Although there is much talk and adaptation of anti-racist, anti-oppression frameworks for organizations, there is often not enough training focused on the multifaceted impacts of racism. All of the research discussed in this module needs to be connected to social change – now, not in the future. It needs to be highlighted, talked about, discussed and debated openly in our society. We need to ask ourselves, our family, friends, neighbours and politicians what they are going to do about anti-Black racism. We need to challenge them and work to demand action.

[Shelly]

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.

[Chantal]

Thank you sharing Shelly. I totally agree that Canada has created a façade that is quite damaging to black people and other people of colour. As a black individual, the only history that was taught in schools was around slavery, Martin Luther King and Rosa Parks. I hope that school and work administration will start to have more of these conversations.

[Kaitlyn]

I completely agree with these responses as to why we continue to see Anti-Black racism across Ontario. I find that many people continue to be uninformed, uneducated, or ignorant to the racism that people of colour experience on a daily basis. I also found the statistics shared in Module 1 about the impact of COVID-19 on families, especially living close to Toronto. I find that there are these huge statistics that have been collected; however, what is being done to support these families? The province should be implementing supports, resources, and other factors to alter these numbers. If the government does not make changes to the system there will continue to be Anti-Black racism across the province.

[Ashley]

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.

[Shelly]

Hi Ashley,

The health care system is an interesting microcosm of the systemic racism common in this country. Many Canadians believe that the health care system is without barriers, is neutral and colour blind – that is far from the truth. But there are widespread barriers, racism, injustice and power and gender imbalances seen in this sector of our society as well. This is still, fundamentally, a white-dominated sector. We could have a fascinating discussion about the failure of the health care system to address the inequities Indigenous Peoples face in trying to access basic health services, or how homeless people are treated when they try to access ER services, and how black people and other visible minorities, including new immigrants, struggle to access the services they desperately need, or how poverty impacts your ability to seek out help in the first place. The truth is that racism exists everywhere and in every context….the difference is whether you see and experience it, or never have to consider it at all.

[Kiaunna]

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.

[Shelly]

I think you are so right about this….the idea that this is a cultural mosaic is an illusion. And to punish black people who challenge these norms means they are labelled, criminalized, and ostracized.

[Kaitlyn]

The current research findings demonstrate that the challenges of Anti-Black Racism within the systems such as the Mental Health Sector continue to show the gaps. It has been shown that Black youth struggle to access mental health resources and services until they are experiencing significant enough symptoms that police or hospitalization occurs. As well as, it shows that due to barriers for Black youth in communities they may not be aware of what resources and services are available to them.

It is the duty of mental health agencies and organizations to work against Anti-Black Racism with trainings, coordinate ways to address ABR, partner with Black-led organizations, and include the voices of Black youth. I find that we notice diversity in front-line staff; however, as we work our way to the top levels of organizations there is less representation. The less representation we have of people of colour at the top it makes it challenging to shift access for Black youth to our mental health services. I believe that we need to continuously challenge these systems and structural levels to ensure changes are made to support our Black youth throughout the communities and better understand the barriers they face each day.

[Adem]

Great point, Andri! Post secondary institution have to do a better job at creating a environment that is welcoming to Black students. Once Black students enter post-secondary institutions, there are left to navigate a system without any guidance.

[Adem]

I totally agree with you Samia! Black history course should be a required course in all schools in Canada and the US. It is also important for educators and teacher education programs to take a more proactive step in acknowledging the harm that the education system has on Black students. For example: streaming, dress codes, lack of culturally relevant material…

[D]

Sanjana, great points! I agree with you it is partly the erasure of Black culture in Canada and minimizing any contributions Black people have made throughout Canadian history. I think through this, ABR is minimized, if it is actually recognized at any point. Also, it is hard to speak up, as a BIPOC person, in workplaces when experiences of racism take place toward oneself or others. These reasons, and many others, allow for the perpetuation of ABR.

[Kaydeen]

Hi Sanjana, thanks for your comments!

I chose to reply to your comment specifically and the idea of Erasure and the Black experience in Canada as non-existent, or unimportant, or insignificant and invaluable and relatively new. I found all of module 1 to be of great importance to Canada and Canadians developing awareness of the histories of Blacks on this land and all of the significant incidents, migrations, exposures, programs, policies, promises, that are the tale of how Black people belong to Canada.

How can anti-black racism be challenged and changed if there has never been an official acknowledgement that it even exists and has a defined history or existence in Canada? How will systems and institutions change without evidence that there is need for change? How do the people advocate for change when the evidence in their favour is being hidden or destroyed, erased from record?

It is extraordinary privilege to have these resources, dialogues, references and sources arranged for our personal benefit and knowledge. It is absolutely necessary to have to access to the arsenal of information and data that provides a basis and informs the continuous path forward towards change.

[Liza]

History is so important. My grandmother was born in 1910 and she used to tell us about KKK cross burnings in SW Ontario that she saw when she was a young girl.

This is the history that needs to be taught in schools.

[Megan]

This was beautifully said.. a good place to start is recognizing and taking ownership that our behaviors whether intentionally or non intentionally are the major factors behind our damaged and broken system. .. Something I definitely need to be more aware of.. we all need to start somewhere.