Standing together
Please watch the video message from Director Kundoqk, Jacquie Green.
Yowtz students;
I hope this video finds you well. This is a ‘stay connected’ message from our school to SOCW students and also my statement in regards to recent racism in our world.
Kundoqk,
Jacquie Green
Director/Associate Faculty
School of Social Work
* * *
Please take a few moments to read the messages from President Jamie Cassels and Dean of HSD, Tricia Marck, about the recent events in the U.S. as well.
Message from President Jamie Cassels:
Standing against racism and intolerance
* * *
I believe that fighting the toxin of racism requires visible resistance, and my words here are intended to join our President’s as one more way to make that resistance visible.
Maybe like me, you joined much of Canada last spring to celebrate the Toronto Raptors’ amazing NBA playoff run. But while our friends, family, colleagues, sports heroes and other people of color may appreciate our respect and celebration when they are winning, succeeding, and otherwise achieving their dreams, we all need each other’s respect and protection much more when any one is discounted, disparaged or attacked because of who they are.
Colors and sexualities and abilities of every kind are some of the beautiful expressions of humanity that make up HSD and those we serve. The other day in The Globe and Mail, Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri wrote:
We all came into this world the same way – as humans. No one is born to be racist and none of us sees colour at first. I believe there are far more good people than bad people, but sometimes the good must do more than simply be good. They must overwhelm the bad…… So many of you are asking: What can I do? There is a sense of helplessness, but that must not paralyze us. Your voice matters, especially when you are a leader or influential figure, and especially if you are white. Leaders have to be bold enough to state the obvious and call out racism.
I challenge each of us to search our own hearts and ask ourselves: How can we in HSD be a stronger part of leading the change we need to see? NBA Hall of Famer and recent Canadian Sports Hall of Fame inductee Steve Nash said:
This is a white problem. How are WE Caucasian people going to create equality? Listen. Read. Walk in others shoes. Organize. Sacrifice. Change. Support. VOTE! These are the MINIMUM of REPARATIONS.
What can we do?
- If we are allies, whenever we witness racism in any form, we can stand up and speak up.
- If we are allies, we can educate ourselves, and we can let others educate us.
- We can all contribute our time, money or other supports to organizations, initiatives and people who are working to create concrete, structural change.
- We can each do more, and together, we can do enough to bring change. We must bring change.
Take care and be well,
Tricia
Patricia Marck RN PhD
she/her Professor & Dean
Faculty of Human & Social Development