Stereotypes

If you’re tired of talking about race, consider how Black communities feel…

/ 9 minutes of reading

Law Professor and mindfulness practitioner Rhonda Magee wrote in her latest book The Inner Work of Racial Justice that “racial justice begins with ourselves.” She shares vulnerable stories of racism and injustice that she defines as “race stories.” Why are “race stories” relevant in how we parent our children and our accountability to anti-racism efforts? Race stories include […]

If you’re tired of talking about race, consider how Black communities feel… Read More »

The logos of the City of Ottawa and the Ottawa Police Service

Mayor Watson and Chief Sloly: Enforcement of COVID-19 measures must respect human rights

/ 3 minutes of reading

Dear Mayor Watson and Chief Sloly,  Parents for Diversity is a non-profit organization of parents, educators and equity allies committed to achieving inclusive and non-discriminatory learning environments that allow children to fulfill their true potential in this world.  We are writing to you in your role as leaders of this city responsible for ensuring the

Mayor Watson and Chief Sloly: Enforcement of COVID-19 measures must respect human rights Read More »

Did you know yesterday was a historic FIRST day in Ottawa?

/ 6 minutes of reading

Thanks to the work of the Somerset West Community Health Centre and inspired by similar work in Toronto,  Mayor Jim Watson declared yesterday the first ever Black Mental Health Day in the city of Ottawa. “…March 2nd, marks the first annual Black Mental Health Day, recognized by communities across Ontario. This important day not only

Did you know yesterday was a historic FIRST day in Ottawa? Read More »

When Speaking Up Works!A Success Story (And How You Can Speak Up Too)

/ 2 minutes of reading

You may recall our blog post from a few weeks ago discussing how colouring worksheets can uphold bias, reinforce stereotypes, and erase racialized children from the curriculum. Here’s an update on what happened after speaking up about that worksheet. My child’s teacher responded to my email: “Sometimes we get caught up in the hoopla of

When Speaking Up Works!A Success Story (And How You Can Speak Up Too) Read More »

Examples of women in sexy Halloween costumes

How to celebrate Halloween WITHOUT cultural appropriation or racist stereotypes

/ 2 minutes of reading

This week is Halloween, which means it is time to talk about costumes, racism, stereotypes, and cultural appropriation. We are using this week’s blog post to amplify some excellent voices that have spoken beautifully to this issue already. “Dressing up as another cultural group diminishes that cultural group to a caricature. And for youth, Indigenous

How to celebrate Halloween WITHOUT cultural appropriation or racist stereotypes Read More »

How kindergarten colouring worksheets uphold stereotypes and create bias (and what to do about it)

/ 6 minutes of reading

We are fortunate to live in a city where our school board offers French and English language instruction beginning in kindergarten. There are so many advantages to being multilingual, and I’m grateful that my daughter has access to this kind of education. When she brought home this pair of colouring sheets from her kindergarten class

How kindergarten colouring worksheets uphold stereotypes and create bias (and what to do about it) Read More »

Image of a student with a hijab reading a textbook

Islamophobia in Our Schools

/ 3 minutes of reading

Islamophobia in Canada is increasing at a concerning rate; Muslim students are particularly vulnerable to Islamophobia.  There is no shortage of stories about Islamophobic incidents both physical and verbal in our communities. Students are on the receiving end of hateful speech and actions by administrators, educators and their fellow school community members. Schools have a responsibility

Islamophobia in Our Schools Read More »

A comic panel

How Blackface can be a teachable moment…in the Classroom and at Home

/ 7 minutes of reading

When Theodor Seuss Geisel (aka Dr. Seuss) stepped into an elevator in 1955 on his way to a meeting with his publisher, Houghton Mifflin, he encountered Annie Williams, the elevator operator. She was “an elegant, and petite woman who wore white gloves and a secret smile”.[1] Ms. Williams would later serve as the inspiration behind

How Blackface can be a teachable moment…in the Classroom and at Home Read More »

Image of a hand holding a maple leaf

Where are you REALLY from?

/ 4 minutes of reading

How many of us have been asked this question and have felt a sense of anxiety and discomfort but feel obliged to respond? The mere essence of the question reinforces social stratification. Every time I have been asked about my ethnicity, an alarm automatically goes off in my head. Small talk can be a great

Where are you REALLY from? Read More »