Commitment to Anti-Racism
Creating safe, caring and inclusive spaces that respect everyone’s human rights is the responsibility of every person who works in the education system.
[Everyone who works in schools] ….needs to be held accountable for their actions. Fighting racism is something that involves everyone.
Student, Minister’s Anti-Racism Youth Dialogue Series, 2022
All employees in B.C.’s education system are responsible for taking an active role in anti-racism work. This includes identifying and addressing ongoing racism in the system.
A key part of this responsibility is to continue to reflect, learn, and take supportive measures that put a stop to racist behaviours and actions in schools and districts.
Consider what your own personal and professional anti-racism learning journey involves. What are some of the ways you can continue learning now and in the future? Possibilities might include:
- Continue to reflect on your unconscious biases, stereotypes, privilege, and prejudices.
- Continue to recognize when comments and behaviours are racist.
- Continue to consider how you may be ignoring, promoting, or benefitting from power or privilege in ways that lead to inequity.
- Learn more about the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action.
- Initiate conversations with your colleagues and school leaders about anti-racism in school communities.
- Find out if your school district has an anti-racism or equity policy or framework and/or has identified where racism is present.
- Find out if there is funding available from schools, districts, community organisations, and/or parent advisory committees for meaningful and on-going professional development about anti-racism.
- Ask questions about whose voices are most represented and whose voices are not being invited or heard.
- Ask questions about who gets opportunities to participate in leadership roles and be in other positions of power.
- Become familiar with the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act Action Plan.
- Consider ways you can amplify the voices and contributions of Indigenous and racialized people and communities.
- Listen to students’ perspectives about engaging in anti-racism work. What works for them? What doesn’t work. Why?
- Join or participate in a book/podcast club that discusses topics about race, reconciliation, privilege, racism in schools, and other related topics.
- Find out and plan how to integrate the anti-racist practices learned here into your everyday work life.
- Advocate for more intentional hiring of qualified Indigenous and racialized teachers and staff.
- Review existing school or district policies to ensure there are clear reporting guidelines and protocols for responding to racist incidents.
- Advocate for clarity or the creation of racism incident response guidelines or protocols if they do not already exist.
- Find out what to do to prevent and report racism in your workplace.
- Join or support the work of your school’s or school district’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, Social Justice, or Anti-Racism Club or committees. If these groups do not exist, collaborate to create one.
- Request that anti-racism learning and initiatives are included as standing items for staff meetings.
- Connect with your workplace’s anti-racism initiatives leads, sign up for anti-racism professional development, mentorship, or other opportunities that continue your learning.
- Continue to practice speaking up in appropriate ways when you see racism happening around you.
- Learn what you can do to support and amplify the need for anti-racism system change in school communities.
- Listen respectfully and with care when Indigenous and racialized people talk about their lived and living experiences.
