Embedded Files
Interview #: 1
Question: What gave you the interest to start taking courses on racism?
Answer: I started taking courses in my university degree and would research topics I was interested in, such as inequities in society. I started participating in more online learning opportunities after George Floyd was murdered last Spring. I realized that although I was celebrating diversity in my classroom, I didn’t feel like I was doing enough to help fight against racism and felt like I could do a better job educating the students in my classroom.
Question: What did you learn in your courses and what were they about?
Answer: I learned that racism affects many things in our society, even the way we feel about ourselves and other people although we may not realize it!
I learned that it’s not enough to just not be racist, but that you have to be anti-racist; and actively work in order to fight the systems that uphold racist beliefs.
Question: In the courses did you learn about the movements to make it better or all the bad things that happen to them?
Answer: I learned about both. It is important to understand the bad things that happen, and why they happen in order to understand how our world is the way it is today. But, working to make change is the best way to focus our efforts. However, you need both to understand completely.
Question: Have you learned about racism against one race or many different races and if so what races have you learned about or focused on?
Answer: I have learned about racism against many different races. Racism against Black people is a large issue because of the history of Black people being enslaved and brought to North America. However, racism against Indigenous, Asian, and Latinx people is still as much of an important topic.
Question: Have you been there or meet anybody who has experienced inequality and if so how did they experience it?
Answer: I have met many people who experience inequality. Many of the people I have met have felt left out in school when their class celebrates holidays like Christmas, so they feel like they have to pretend so people will think they are “normal” (even though we know that’s not true!). I have many close friends who are gay or transgender and they have had to hide who they are sometimes because they are afraid of what might happen; that they might lose their job if someone finds out.
As a woman, sometimes I experience inequality when people act like my ideas or actions are not important at my job - but not the same way that Black, Indigenous, or People of Colour, or 2SLGBTQIA+ or disabled people face inequality.
Question: What are some strategies you can share with us on how to deal with inequality and racism? Do you think a small bit of people can improve it or make it worse? If there any other resources that you can give us to go deeper into this topic?
Answer:Some strategies on dealing with inequality and/or racism are to always remember that we are always learning and we will never be experts.
Be open-minded to learning new things.
Do not underestimate the power of your voice and actions.
Always include the voices of people who experience inequality
Have someone safe to talk to when you are feeling sad or frustrated
Sometimes people will disagree with you, that is okay but be sure to not give up on what you believe in
I certainly do believe a small group of people can improve the world we live in! All you need is one person and if they tell 2 friends or people who understand, then they will tell their friends and so on!
Other resources:
Books:
Stamped (for Kids): Racism, Anti-Racism, and You - By Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi
Let’s Talk About Race - Julius Lester
This Book Is Anti-Racist 20 Lessons on How to Wake Up, Take Action, and Do The Work by Tiffany Jewel
14 Antiracist Books for Kids and Teens - New York Times
Videos:
Intersectionality - Learning for Justice
Websites:
CBC Kids Black History Month (these are important things to learn year-round!)
Interview #2 ( slide show that is copy and pasted)
Racism
Racism is different from racial prejudice, hatred, or discrimination. Racism involves one group having the power to carry out systematic
discrimination through the institutional policies and practices of the society and by shaping the cultural beliefs and values that support
those racist policies and practices” (dRworks).
Racism is not just about Skin color. It is the way we view and treat people who have a different background from us. It is centered on the idea that people who are non-White are less superior than people who are. White people can experience Racial Prejudice and discrimination. This is different from Racism.
How Racism shows up in our community
There are four main ways in which racism is present in our community:
1. Personal – These are the private beliefs and thoughts held about racialized
people (racialized is the term to describe People of Colour)
2. Interpersonal- These are the experiences that happen when one person shows
racist attitudes toward another person
3. Institutional/Systemic- This happens when racialized people are discriminated
in areas like health care, justice and education
4. Structural- This happens when public policies are created to prevent racialized
people from being treated fairly
4 levels of Racism
How can we support people who are facing racial discrimination?
Listen to people’s stories without judgment – remember that we are NOT all the same
Respect people’s experiences
Educate yourself on racism and how dangerous it is, even what we may think are “jokes”
When someone treats your friends in a racist way, speak up for them if you can. Let them know you support them
Acknowledge that we are all different and that if something has not happened to you, it doesn’t mean it has not happened to someone
Does everyone need to be involved? Kids too?
YES! Everybody needs to know the impact of racism and fight it
Participate in events and movements that support racialized people
Learn about true historical events like the Civil Rights Movement, Canada’s Black History, Indigenous History, Japanese and Chinese Canadians
Create a storyboard to share with your classmates on famous racialized and Indigenous Canadians, like Viola Davis, Elijah McCoy, Thelma Chalifoux, David Suzuki, etc.
Plan Social Justice events with your peers on important days like Orange Shirt Day, Black History Month, International Day of the elimination of racism.
Be mindful about the stories you have heard and how you treat others. Break the cycle of hatred.
BE a.n.t.i.r.a.c.i.s.t
When we choose to be antiracist, we become actively conscious about race and racism and take actions to end racial inequities in our daily lives. Being antiracist is believing that racism is everyone’s problem, and we all have a role to play in stopping it
Page updated
Report abuse