"Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world."
- Nelson Mandela
The Ministry's K-12 Anti-Racism Action Plan Vision states: "B.C. students achieve their full potential in an education environment that is equitable, free of racism and systemic barriers, and where all students, staff, and families feel welcome, safe, respected, and valued."
What does it mean to be anti-racist? Being anti-racist moves beyond being "not racist”. The problem with being “not racist” is it signifies neutrality. But there is no neutrality in the racist struggle. The opposite of “racist” isn’t “not racist”; it is “anti-racist”. Anti-racist is defined as one who is expressing an idea of racial equity, or is actively supporting a policy that leads to racial equity or justice.
“Talking about racism is uncomfortable and often requires difficult self-reflection and an open mind. Education plays a crucial role in making B.C. a safer, more welcoming, and equitable province for everyone, irrespective of their race, ethnicity or faith. By teaching young people about racism and discrimination, we’re empowering future generations to create a better, anti-racist B.C. for everyone.” (Minister of Education Rachna Singh)
- Nelson Mandela
The Ministry's K-12 Anti-Racism Action Plan Vision states: "B.C. students achieve their full potential in an education environment that is equitable, free of racism and systemic barriers, and where all students, staff, and families feel welcome, safe, respected, and valued."
What does it mean to be anti-racist? Being anti-racist moves beyond being "not racist”. The problem with being “not racist” is it signifies neutrality. But there is no neutrality in the racist struggle. The opposite of “racist” isn’t “not racist”; it is “anti-racist”. Anti-racist is defined as one who is expressing an idea of racial equity, or is actively supporting a policy that leads to racial equity or justice.
“Talking about racism is uncomfortable and often requires difficult self-reflection and an open mind. Education plays a crucial role in making B.C. a safer, more welcoming, and equitable province for everyone, irrespective of their race, ethnicity or faith. By teaching young people about racism and discrimination, we’re empowering future generations to create a better, anti-racist B.C. for everyone.” (Minister of Education Rachna Singh)
"Anti-racism is the practice of identifying, challenging, preventing, eliminating and changing the values, structures, policies, programs, practices and behaviours that perpetuate racism." Resilence BC
The K-12 Anti-Racism Action Plan is a multi-year path forward and an opportunity to bring the education sector together to confront racism in all its forms, but it is only the beginning. Everyone can play a role in identifying and addressing racism in the education system. System level change requires a shared understanding of our collective responsibility in dismantling racism in schools. Moving forward requires tough and uncomfortable conversations and a willingness to adopt new approaches to delivering education programs that ensure everyone in the school community know they are valued and important members.
The plan is designed to improve outcomes for racialized students and support sector-wide understanding and growth of anti-oppressive systemic practices and content. The Action Plan provides supports and builds equity-based initiatives to start to address historical and oppressive barriers and ultimately lead to student success. For a look at the plan, please click on the image above.
The plan is designed to improve outcomes for racialized students and support sector-wide understanding and growth of anti-oppressive systemic practices and content. The Action Plan provides supports and builds equity-based initiatives to start to address historical and oppressive barriers and ultimately lead to student success. For a look at the plan, please click on the image above.
|
Anti-Racism and Curriculum Connections
Throughout all areas of learning and grades, the BC curriculum provides many opportunities for anti-racism discussions. Including cross-curricular practices promotes a deeper and more holistic approach toward anti-racism learning for educators and students Please have a look at the document and check out the resources at the bottom of the page. |
Intersectionality
Intersectionality is the concept that all oppression is linked. Intersectionality is the way in which people's lives are shaped by their multiple and overlapping identities and social locations such as race, ethnicity, disability status, sexual orientation, and gender, which, together, can produce a unique and distinct experience for that individual or group, for example, creating addtitional barriers, opportunities, and/or power imbalances. (Government of Canada- IRCC Anti-Racism Strategy- Glossary)
Intersectionality and Anti-Racist Videos
|
What is Intersectionality? Kimberlé Crenshaw |
|
Debunking the Most Common Myths White People Tell About Race Robin DiAngelo- author of White Fragility |
|
A Kids Book About Racism Jelani Memory |
Intersectionality 101 |
6 Ways to be an AntiRacist Educator Dena Simmons - Edutopia |
Get Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable Luvvie Ajayi |
Resources
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lessons/Activities/Articles
Literature for Learning
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Websites
School District 22 is a member of the SOGI provincial network helping educators make schools inclusive and safe for students of all sexual orientations and gender identities. |
FAST's resources provides free resources and tools to teacher students about prejudice, human rights and social justice |
FAST's resources provide resources and tools to help students speak out against racism, antisemitism and tolerance |
Acquérez des connaissances précieuses en explorant le site et son large éventail de médias interactifs sur des sujets liés aux droits de l’homme, à l’antisémitisme, au racisme, au génocide, à l’immigration, etc. Laissez cette connaissance vous donner le courage d’influencer positivement votre monde. |
Focused Education Resources identified and/or developed resources that improve the representation of racialized communities and promote a more comprehensive understanding of anti-racism, human rights, and diverse cultural experiences, histories, and contributions.
|
Canadian Heritage Months
|
Learning together on the ancestral, unceded territory of the Syilx Nation.
|