Why anti-Black racism persists in Canadian schools
It?s lunchtime on a weekday in September. I?m at home. The phone rings and I answer. My daughter?s Senior Kindergarten teacher says ?Hello.? It?s only the second day of school, so I?m surprised to hear from her. I feel the immediate rush of fear that?s prompted by any unexpected call from school or daycare.
The teacher quickly assures me that my daughter is physically fine, and then says, in a slightly nervous and apologetic tone, ?There was an incident at circle time this morning that I wanted to tell you about, just in case your daughter mentions it to you. A child said to your daughter that ‘Black people are dirty and smelly.’? The teacher continues to speak. I hear her but, I mostly just feel time slow down. With every new detail my heart breaks and my blood boils. My gut reaction is to go get my daughter immediately. I want to pluck her right out of the public-school system and start home schooling her right away. The impulse is not new: It?s something her father and I discussed at length before finally choosing French immersion for our child. We?re both Black people who?ve gone through public schooling in Canada. We know that in spite of Canada?s proclamations that it?s a fully multicultural and just society, anti-Black racism has long existed within its educational institutions.
This post is part of The Canada Project. You can find out more by clicking the image above.
I stand very still, leaning against the doorframe, as the teacher continues to speak. M...
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