Events celebrating diversity and inclusion take place throughout the year.
Black History Month
The theme of Black History Month 2022 is February and Forever: Celebrating Black History today and every day.
| 2022 schedule | |
|---|---|
| Tue., Feb. 1 | Flag raising and launch of Black History Month on campus 12 p.m. | Reduced attendance due to COVID restrictions |
| Fri., Feb. 4 | Virtual tour of the Black Loyalist Centre 12-1:30 p.m. | Virtual via Teams |
| Tue., Feb. 8 | Navigating Racial Trauma and Mental Health in Hostile Environments with Robert Wright 6 p.m. | Virtual via Teams |
| Thurs., Feb. 10 | Black Alumni Panel Discussion 5 p.m. | Virtual via Teams |
| Mon., Feb. 14 | In Conversation with Dr. Marjorie Lewis: Faith and Spirituality in times of crisis/injustice 6 p.m. | Virtual via Teams |
| Wed., Feb. 16 | Mental Health and Wellness in the Racialized Community with Kayla Breelove Carter 7 p.m. | Virtual via Teams |
*Access to the link will be added closer to the event date.
Black History Matters t-shirts
A new line of ‘Black History Matters’ t-shirts has been launched at the University Bookstore, in-store and online. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Kavana Wa Kilele Fund, which will provide support to Black students in perpetuity. This is the first endowed fund at Mount Allison to specifically support Black students.
About Black History Month
Black History Month is about honouring the enormous contributions that Black people have made, and continue to make, in all sectors of Canadian society. It is about celebrating resilience, innovation, and determination to work towards a more inclusive and equitable country called Canada.
Although Black history in Canada has not always been celebrated or highlighted, the contributions of people of African decent could not be ignored.
- The first Black History Month in Canada was observed in 1988 by Nova Scotia and later named African Heritage Month in 1996.
- In December 1995, following a motion introduced by Dr. Jean Augustine, the House of Commons unanimously recognized February as Black History Month in Canada.
Resources on Black History in Canada
International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination — March 21
In 1996, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly declared March 21 as the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (IDERD) in memory of the 69 people who died after police opened fire on a peaceful anti-apartheid demonstration in Sharpeville, South Africa, in 1960.
IDERD is observed annually on March 21 as a way of drawing the world's attention to the ongoing work of eliminating all forms of racism and racial discrimination. IDERD is more than a day. It is a daily commitment to doing our part to end racism.
Mount Allison Anti-Racism Policy
Mount Allison's Anti-Racism Policy covers students, staff, and faculty and lays out a process for responding to complaints and reports of racism on campus.
To make a complaint, to reach out for help, or to seek guidance under the policy, contact the Anti-Racism Education and Response Team (ARERT) at antiracism@mta.ca. The ARERT is comprised of 7 members (4 staff, 2 students, 1 faculty) and is tasked with responding to complaints of racism, and facilitating anti-racism awareness and education on campus.
IDERD and COVID-19
COVID-19 has had a disproportionate impact on Black, Indigenous, Asian, and other intersecting communities. The pandemic has also given rise to increased xenophobia, anti-Black, and anti-Asian racism. As a sign of support and solidarity this IDERD, commit to confronting racism by confronting the discrimination being experienced by these communities.
Other ways you can show support and solidarity:
- Educate yourself about systemic racism and racial discrimination
- Reflect on your own biases
- Commit to being an active bystander, willing to speak out against acts of racism and support victims of racial discrimination
- Commit to supporting local organizations involved in confronting racism and inequity in your community
- Commit to sharing your learnings with others
Take action every day
The following resources help provide education around racism, unconscious bias, microaggressions, and more, and suggest ways you can support the ongoing work of eliminating all forms of racism and racial discrimination.
Anti-racism resources
Unconscious bias
Ted Talk: Am I Biased?
Implicit Bias | Concepts Unwrapped
Gender and Leadership Implicit Association Test
Unconscious Bias Training by the Government of Canada
Microaggressions
Microaggressions in the classroom
Indigenous Canadian University Students’ Experiences of Microaggressions
Tool: Recognizing Microaggressions and the Messages They Send (pdf) (Adapted from Sue, Derald Wing, Microaggressions in Everyday Life: Race, Gender and Sexual Orientation, Wiley & Sons, 2010)
When and How to Respond to Microaggressions (Harvard Business Review, 2020)
Responding Effectively to Microaggressions: A Research-Based Workshop (pdf) Christy M. Byrd, PhD University of California, Santa Cruz
Additional resources
UN "Let's Fight Racism" — real life stories, how to fight racism, educational resources
Stand Up 4 Human Rights (#FightRacism) — information about hate speech, how to take action, more resources
UN International Decade for People of African Descent (2015-2024) — decade-long campaign to recognize, promote, and protect the right to equality and non-discrimination
Fight Against Racism & Discrimination (UNESCO) — Toolkit for Canadian municipalities
Public Health Resources for Anti-Racism Action — (National Collaborating Centre for Determinants of Health)