Building an anti-racist culture within our school and community

 

Today I am grateful for and appreciate the untiring and continuous efforts of parent council members of Valley Park Middle School for arranging a webinar titled "Building an anti-racist culture within our school and community". I am part of and being a member of the parent council since 2020, I acknowledge and appreciate great teamwork in organizing today's webinar. This webinar hosted by George Bartzis, principal of Valley Park Middle School, supervised by Khalid Mian (Co-Chair of parent council), coordinated by parent council members and facilitated by Charmaine Lane (Registered Psychotherapist) for parents, students, Flemingdon and Thorncliffe community. Member of parliament, Yasmeen Ratansi was the chief guest for the opening ceremony. Yasmeen Ratansi shared her insight and perspicacity to the audience on the subject of anti-racism, anti-black racism, anti-Asian racism, anti-indigenous racism and islamophobia. Personally and on behalf of the parent council team, I acknowledge and comprehend her presence. Thank you, Yasmeen Ratansi and we all stand united for Thorncliffe, Grenoble and Flemingdon Park neighbourhoods. We would like to work together to promote the notion regarding Anti-Racism, Anti- Black Racism, Anti-Asian Racism, Anti-Indigenous Racism and Islamaphobia to compose our communities safe and more durable. Today's webinar supported by TNO, FCSS, FHC, PIAC, Canadian Community Services Organization and skills for change. Today's webinar was meaningful and notable as it approached the subject related to racialized trauma, mental health issues, internalized oppression and trauma. These issues had to address as were the most needed in the community. I am thankful for today's webinar for a variety of reasons, for instance:

• Today's webinar was cost-effective for the community as it was free of cost and releases the financial burden at this time of the COVID 19 pandemic, otherwise, the community had to pay and got knowledge on the given topic

• This webinar was over the zoom, highly convenient to join. No need to drive, or take TTC or formally dressed up. The community really require to monitor  internet connectivity as it was over the virtual mode

• The parent council invited the community to attend this webinar. This was the virtual community engagement event and helped to broaden the vision and perspective related to the subject

• The taken messages from the webinar 

• Case scenario for understanding racist comment and identify related notions

• What is racism?

• What is anti-black racism?

• Historical trauma and microaggression, for instance, microinsult, microassault and microinvalidation

• What is racial trauma?

• Trauma and the black experience

• What does it mean to be Anti-Racist?

• How to prevent racism?

• How to foster inclusivity and equity?

• Anti-Racist suggestions by the facilitator

• Racism is not monolithic

• Read and educate yourself

• Teach your kids to be actively antiracist starting with not being "colour blind"

• Self-awareness is the key

• Our commitment as a parent council member: WE STAND TOGETHER AND THE PEOPLE UNITED WILL NEVER FAIL

• At the end of the webinar, there was a lucky draw for parents for grocery cards and for books

If you have any question or comment, please feel free to ask or comment below