Marcia
This time five years ago was filled with pain. We met this pain with commitments to work in solidarity in the pursuit of justice. As we watch what is happening south of the border and across Canada it’s important that the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences community know this: we remain steadfast in our commitments to racial justice, social justice and human rights. I have a firm belief in Martin Luther King Junior’s teaching that “the universe is on the side of justice.” Progress is not linear or always forward moving. We are in a time where the context is changing dramatically. Our education and strategies may need to change too, but our end goal remains the same. In our spaces, in the services we provide and in the health professionals and researchers we train we fully respect the human rights of each individual and community we serve. We are not done our work until each person has achieved the equal opportunity to the highest attainable standard of health, and there is equality of opportunity, access and participation in the Faculty and broader health care workforce.
Delia
May 25 of this month will mark 5 years since the murder of Mr. George Floyd.
Following Mr. Floyd’s death, tens of thousands marched across the United States, in support of Black Lives Matter (BLM), and inspired global protests against police brutality, anti-Black racism, and racial injustice. Across Canada people organized and gathered to stand in solidarity with George Floyd’s family and the Black Lives Matter movement, drawing attention to racialized police violence, systemic racism, and inequality. In Winnipeg, thousands attended the Justice 4 Black Lives rally and called for justice for Black people and an end to state violence and racial injustice. These demonstrations represented a stand against racial terror and a rejection of the status quo. The demonstrations, led by Black, Indigenous, and racialized minority folx were an affirmation of our humanness, and our commitment to social justice and anti-racism.
That year we also bore witness to the uncovering of the remains of Indigenous children at former Residential School sites. We witnessed a number of fatal encounters involving police and Black, Indigenous, and racialized minority peoples, as well as a rise in antisemitism through the targeting of synagogues, Jewish cultural centres, and schools. There was also an increase in an increase in Islamophobia by the targeting of mosques, the deliberate killing of members of the Afzaal family, in London, Ontario, and acts of violence directed at Black hijabi Muslim women in Alberta and Manitoba.
In 2020 many institutions, including Canadian universities, made stated commitments to addressing anti-Black racism in particular, and systemic racism(s) more broadly.
Unsurprisingly over the same period the pushback and resistance to anti-racism, DEI/EAP, critical race theory, and social justice has risen across North America.
The volume and pace of this opposition has increased exponentially in Canada in concert with decisions and actions south of the border.
Consider the following:
At the start of the year the University of Alberta has moved away from DEI to a framework titled access, community, and belonging.
McGill University is closing its DEI office in the Faculty of Medicine, replacing its 3 racially marginalized staff with a Vice Dean of Education and Community Engagement, with this position being held by a white woman.
The Canadian Association of University Teachers recently issued a warning to Canadian academics, advising them against travel to the US
Canadian researchers who receive funding from US government sources are being questioned about the nature of their work in the event that it deemed contrary to the government’s stance on the climate, gender, and racism. Correspondingly Canadian academics are being advised to reconsider their plans, as they may not be granted entry, or they could be detained at the border, owing to their areas of expertise and interest.
The struggle is real.
We are being challenged on multiple fronts at once.
Despite this, and even because of this, we remain committed to disrupting and dismantling all forms of racism(s), and systemic inequities.
We cannot eradicate racial inequality and injustice unless we recognize the interconnectedness of systems of domination and challenge the divisiveness of hierarchies of oppression.
As Ijeoma Oluo (2018) eloquently states,
“The beauty of anti-racism is that you don’t have to pretend to be free of racism to be an anti-racist. Anti-racism is the commitment to fight racism wherever you find it, including in yourself, and it’s the only way forward.” So you want to talk about race.
We hope that you will continue with us in working towards more just futures.
A Reminder of Anti-Racism Resources Available
Rady specific materials
The anti-racism and social justice toolkit (available on the intranet): some of its contents include, an anti-racism strategy template, anti-racism and social justice syllabus statement, updated anti-racism and EAP indicators for performance conversation reviews.
Modules
Giga Mino Manawenimaag Anishinaabeg – “We will take good care of the people”- is an innovative training program designed to advance Indigenous Cultural Safety in health care. Organized through the Indigenous Institute of Health and Healing, the program consists of Ten online lessons.
Visit the “We will take good care of the people” webpage.
Primary contact: culturalsafety@umanitoba.ca
The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba (CPSM) recently approved the Standard of Practice – Practicing Medicine to Eliminate Anti-Indigenous Racism.
In addition, the Council passed a motion regarding mandatory education for all registrants with the College. The Indigenous Cultural Safety Program is one of the four that has been identified as part of the mandatory education by CPSM.
Foundations of Race, Racism, and Anti-Racism Module – this module is both a standalone and part of the Indigenous Cultural Safety Program (available through UM Learn).
The Black Health Primer is is an 8 module online, self-paced, and asynchronous course, designed for learners from across health disciplines, professions, organizations and communities. The Primer describes the historical context of racial oppression, explains how anti-Black racism influences the social determinants of health, and acts as a barrier to health equity. Participants will gain knowledge and promote dialogue about anti-Black racism and Black health.
This 1-credit-per-hour Self Learning program has been certified by the College Family Physicians of Canada for up to 6.5 Mainpro+® credits.
View more information about the Primer.
If you are a member of the Rady Faculty and are interested in registering, please contact me directly.