Self Education

Your Words Have Power

People come to Laurier from many different places around the world. Each person has had their own experiences, trials and personal struggles. It is important to be mindful of others and considering how your words may impact the people around you before you speak.

Why is it important?

Times are constantly changing, we continue to learn about how everyday actions can affect those around us. There are many different issues happening in the world that we should educate ourselves on, so we can make informed decisions about how to act moving forward. This page is designed to help you get a self dialogue started and learn a bit about how best to support others around you.

You may not see why it is necessary to do so, or agree with the information being provided but I implore you to challenge yourself and attempt to see life from someone elses point of view. Your world is not the same world everyone else lives in and it is important to understand what exactly that means.

What should I educate myself on?

For now this page will be concerned with spreading awarness surrounding the following causes:

Racial inequality (Focusing on people of colour and the Black Live Matter Movement)
Indigenous inequality
LGBTQ2+ Movement
Gendered Violence Awarness and Consent is Golden

Please note when you access this information that I myself am not perfect and some information may be incorrect or outdated. I will continuely try to provide you with the most up to date information and ask you to hold me accountable to adding to the list above. If there is a cause you are passionate about that you would like to help spread awareness on let me know!

Power of using inclusive language

Inclusive language aims to avoid offense and avoid expressions that express or imply ideas that are sexist, racist, or otherwise biased, prejudiced, or denigrating to any particular group of people.

Using Inclusive language is a good practice to get into. You may have slip ups or faux pas but it is important to acknowledge your mistakes and continue trying.

In order to feel comfortable using the right terminology do your best to be aware of what you are saying and challenge yourself to correct your mistakes.

Would you Say it if you knew?

CSEDI

The Centre for Student Equity, Diversity and Inclusion has resources available to help you with self education and inclusive language! For a list of all programs including a Diversity certificate click HERE!

On the Brantford campus we offer:

Five student collectives: SOUL, Queer Spheer, My Respect, Laurier Brantford Women’s Centre (LBWC), and Muslim Students’ Association These student collectives offer safer spaces for students who identify with these groups (as well as for their allies); they also provide lots of volunteer and educational opportunities.

Multi-Faith support and resources: we are happy to assist students in finding community, including connecting with spiritual supports. Please contact us for a list of chaplains in our community.

Support and Community Connections: We provide a range of formal and informal supports including advocacy and information for those experiencing marginalization, community referrals, and academic research support. We're also happy to engage in conversations about equity, diversity, inclusion and social justice. For more information on support, see Community Connections and Support

Practicum Opportunities: We provides students with practicum opportunities. If you’re in a program that includes a practicum experience and you’re interested in working with us, please contact diversity@wlu.ca

How to stay informed

Staying informed on current events is a daily challenge. There are different was to stay informed, here are a few to start you off:

Instagram

Follow soyouwanttotalkabout. This is an Instagram page dedicated to spreading awarness of social issues worldwide!
Follow 680news. A local news agency from Toronto that can keep you updated on events happening in Ontario.
Follow world and buzzfeednews. Both run by Buzzfeed provide news information from the USA and the word.
Follow nowthisnews. A news organization dedicated to cover different social movements.
Follow untilfreedom. An organization involved with the Black Lives Matter Movement.
Follow blm. Official instagram page for the Black Lives Matter Movement.
lbqueersphere. Laurier Brantford's own LGBTQ2+ Association.
lgbt and lgbtq. Official pages dedicated to spreading LGBT news and culture.

Webpages

If you have a good news source you would like to share with others in the community please let me know and we can add it to the list!

Ways to take action

Signing petitions and sending emails are an easy way to take action to support people directly effected by the injustice found in today's society.

Visit:

Amnesty for a list of different way sto take action for various causes.
Issues in the World for a list of petitions and more for a variety of world wide issues.

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