So, Justin Trudeau is in hot water as images of him in “brownface” 18 years ago have surfaced. And although I’m disappointed, I’m not surprised. Well, maybe a little that it was only 18 years. Why? Because this is an example of how deeply the social construct of race has embedded itself into our … [Continue reading] Brownface and the impact of Race as a Social Construct
racism
Serena Williams – part 2
I have had the opportunity of a few discussions about Serena since last week’s blog – all of which I am grateful for. A key component of diversity and inclusion is dialogue and discussion. It’s imperative that we create an environment where we can share our perspectives and expand our awareness in … [Continue reading] Serena Williams – part 2
Starbucks and Anti-Bias Training
Yesterday Starbucks closed most of its stores in the USA to provide anti-bias training for their staff. This was part of their response to the incident at one of their locations in Philadelphia where the police were called and two Black men were arrested as they waited for their friend. Starbucks … [Continue reading] Starbucks and Anti-Bias Training
What Does Anti-Black Racism Look Like?
Yesterday, a story ran in the Globe and Mail about an Ontario Human Rights Tribunal ruling for a restaurant to pay a Black man $10,000.00 in compensation. He and his (Black) friends were asked to prepay for their food. You can read the article here. It’s more evidence of anti-Black racism in … [Continue reading] What Does Anti-Black Racism Look Like?
What a Verdict Tells us About Racism
This is a hard blog to write. And I can't even find an appropriate image. I was all set to write about happier things, like the new Gerber baby, but… The verdict in the Colten Boushie murder trial is heartbreaking and infuriating – and, sadly, not surprising. It’s one more story in a large … [Continue reading] What a Verdict Tells us About Racism
Why I Hate Black History Month – part 4
I have an issue with Black History Month. I have written about how everything Black happens in February and is forgotten for the rest of the year. I have written about “firsts” and what they say about how far we have (and haven’t) come. And last year I wrote about the lessons we could learn … [Continue reading] Why I Hate Black History Month – part 4
Oh H&M…
2018 has just started and we have our first public misstep in advertising: H&M had a black boy modelling a hoodie that brands him as the “coolest monkey in the jungle”. Are you kidding me?! The white kid next to him is the “survival expert”. Ah… if only someone had caught this during the … [Continue reading] Oh H&M…
Judge Eidsvik’s comments about “dark people”
Judge Kristine Eidsvik told her class at the University of Calgary that she was uncomfortable walking into a room "full of big dark people." If you haven’t read the brief article in the Toronto Star, you can read it here. Sigh. Welcome to 2018. This type of comment isn’t surprising or … [Continue reading] Judge Eidsvik’s comments about “dark people”
Seeing More About the Niqab
How many of you know a Niqabi woman? Did you know that is what a woman who wears a niqab might call herself? I didn't. How many of you have spoken to a Niqabi woman? I haven't. Not because I don’t want to, but because the opportunity has not presented itself. Interesting, right? Especially given … [Continue reading] Seeing More About the Niqab
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