In the past two weeks I have watched two thought-provoking movies: Green Book and Same Kind of Different as Me. The former (as you may know) won Best Picture for last year. I watched it on the plane. The latter was from 2017, and I found it on Netflix. I love them both for the lessons they … [Continue reading] Who Gets to be the Hero?
Race
The Double Standard of Racism and Sexism …ah, Serena Williams
I’m not a tennis fan. I have an idea of how to play, even owned a racket once, but I don’t watch it. Until maybe now. Maybe now I need to start watching. Serena Williams has been in the news twice in the last weeks for issues that point out (glaringly, to me) the way racism and sexism play … [Continue reading] The Double Standard of Racism and Sexism …ah, Serena Williams
What’s Privilege got to do with it? – Part 4
For the last installment of the series, I have two more common examples of privilege to share. Both are based specifically on identities: race and gender. The first example is thanks to Hadiya Roderique, who wrote an amazing article for the Globe and Mail last weekend entitled Black on Bay … [Continue reading] What’s Privilege got to do with it? – Part 4
What’s Privilege got to do with it? – Part 3
Last week we explored taking up space. This week we’ll explore the ways we use our privilege to discount others (and impose our needs on them). I was recently facilitating a workshop. Right away, during the introduction, one of the participants indicated that he was aware of his privileges … [Continue reading] What’s Privilege got to do with it? – Part 3
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
Anti-Black Racism in Canada
Last Friday morning, my world felt different. I had watched Desmond Cole’s documentary The Skin We’re In on CBC the night before (if you missed it, you can watch it here). The Skin We're In - a brief overview The Skin We’re In was insightful, personal and thought-provoking. I appreciated … [Continue reading] Anti-Black Racism in Canada
Silence = Complicity
Many of you are likely familiar with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s quote: “There comes a time when silence becomes betrayal.” I would argue that time has nothing to do with it. Silence equals betrayal anytime – whether we realize it or not, whether we are alone or in a group – because it equals … [Continue reading] Silence = Complicity
Black History Month. So…?
I am not a fan of Black History Month. For one, it becomes a month crammed with everything Black/African/Caribbean and then we don’t see much of it the rest of the year. You can read other musings here. But this year, I have another angle that adds to my disdain. I recently had a conversation … [Continue reading] Black History Month. So…?
Emojis and Skin Tone
A Story: Picture this (a true story): A Person of Colour and a White person are texting (you pick who you want to be in this scenario). They are discussing plans, and at the end of the exchange the Person of Colour sends their White friend a brown “thumbs up” to indicate that they agree. The White … [Continue reading] Emojis and Skin Tone
Racism in a Menu?
A Toronto restaurant has been called out by the media for calling their non-spicy food option “White” on their menu. Reality Check Firstly, I have to point out that in a world where Black men are routinely targeted by police – in some cases fatally – and there are many many examples of … [Continue reading] Racism in a Menu?