It doesn't matter why you use a derogatory word. It’s just not acceptable. Ever. But they keep flying out of people's mouths. This week we had two Canadian examples of the way we often carelessly throw hurtful words around. One was homophobic, and one was racist. Both words are derogatory and … [Continue reading] It’s Never Ok To Use a Derogatory Word
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The People we Push to the Margins
I have spent the last 8 days in Delhi, India – an incredibly busy and crowded city, with beautiful people, stunning monuments that are older than the “birthday” Canada is celebrating this year, ridiculous traffic, some green spaces, and much poverty. I have traveled to many countries, and poverty … [Continue reading] The People we Push to the Margins
Mother’s Day – Not Necessarily “Happy”
This coming Sunday, May 14th is Mother’s Day in North America (and possibly also elsewhere). Whether you appreciate the commercialism or not, for some women, it will be a day where they are wrapped in the warm embrace of family, reminded of the many reasons they are loved by their … [Continue reading] Mother’s Day – Not Necessarily “Happy”
Expand Your Mind – What School Doesn’t Teach Us
A few weeks ago I got into a taxi in Toronto. The driver was South Asian (no surprise.) He asked me where I was from and a lively conversation ensued in which he told me about Tamil Nadu, the part of India he is from, and some of its fascinating history and present. I learned that Tamil Nadu … [Continue reading] Expand Your Mind – What School Doesn’t Teach Us
How Easy it is to Shape Someone’s Perspective
The other night as my four year old filled up her cup from the tap and had a drink after brushing her teeth, I reminded her how lucky she was to live in a country where she could drink the tap water. We have just returned from a vacation in Cuba, where I had to teach her she couldn’t do that (as a … [Continue reading] How Easy it is to Shape Someone’s Perspective
Serena Williams; Responding to Racism
Serena Williams was confronted with (and responded to) racism through social media. You can read all about it here. The subtlety of racism Racism is often subtle. And as such it comes out of people’s mouths in ways that we often don’t catch: “You’re not really Black.” “I hope the baby doesn’t … [Continue reading] Serena Williams; Responding to Racism
Seeing Ourselves in Media Matters
A TV Commercial Yesterday I saw a commercial on TV that made me smile. Picture this: It starts with a close up of little feet running through mud, and into the house. At which point we see that the little girl (4 years old? 5?) – complete with skirt and crown - is chasing a frog. Around the … [Continue reading] Seeing Ourselves in Media Matters
Racism – the legacy of colonization globally
I’m in Cuba with my family this week – well, actually an island off the coast of Cuba. And while we are at an all inclusive, in a location with little else around (sadly), there is still enough going on here to be aware of race politics. Cuba has a mixture of people of colour – the … [Continue reading] Racism – the legacy of colonization globally
Day of Pink – April 12
This Wednesday April 12th is Day of Pink – the international day against bullying, discrimination, homophobia, transphobia and transmysogyny. An act of support It didn’t start out meaning to be a day recognized around the world; it started as an act meant to support one person. Jadrien Cota – … [Continue reading] Day of Pink – April 12
Kendall Jenner Pepsi Commercial
Well. I’ve finally seen the Pepsi commercial. So many things wrong with it, and so many things to say. But first, one or two positives (yes, I found some): There is cultural diversity. Lots of it. And we see some people in roles we may not usually – a cellist of colour, a photographer who … [Continue reading] Kendall Jenner Pepsi Commercial