Diversity and Inclusion MtA

Great lecture coming up next Monday at 7pm. Details below.

All students, staff, and faculty are invited to attend the virtual guest lecture titled "Committed to Diversity and Inclusion: How does this translate to equitable educational opportunities, engagement, and outcomes for racialized students?" by Dr. Carl James, professor in the Faculty of Education at York University.

This lecture will explore tangible ways we can build an inclusive campus environment for all students.

To register: https://bit.ly/3reCZvN (Teams webinar)

Standing in solidarity today and every day.

Learn more at mta.ca/iderd through resources provided by Mount Allison's Anti-Racism Education & Response Team and Black Students Advisor & Diversity Educator Ivan Okello.

Did you know that inappropriate costume choices that denigrate and reduce peoples to stereotypes are disrespectful and can be perceived as racism?

Cultural appropriation refers to the use of objects or elements of a non-dominant culture in a way that doesn't respect their original meaning, give credit to their source, reinforces stereotypes, or contributes to oppression.

Before you choose a costume, ask yourself the following:

• What is my motivation for cultural borrowing?
• Is this costume overgeneralizing of this culture?
• What do I know of the history and experience of the people from whom I am borrowing?
• Is this borrowing distorting, watering down, or misinterpreting the tradition or its people?
• If artifacts and/or rituals are being sold, where does the money go?

If you have experienced acts of racism, send an e-mail to [email protected] to disclose or report.

Message from the Anti-Racism Education and Response Team.

March 21st, 2020 is the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (IDERD). This day was established by the United Nations in 1966 to commemorate the Sharpeville Massacre of 1960 where the police opened fire on hundreds of peaceful demonstrators against Apartheid’s passbook laws, killing 67 and wounding 186.

On that day, in 1966, the United Nations declared March 21 the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination in memory of this tragedy. It is observed every March 21st to bring the world community together to increase its efforts in the elimination of all forms of racial discrimination and racism (United Nations, Resolution 2142, XX1).

Opportunity Alert**

The Michaelle Jean Foundation is excited to bring the third edition of the National Black Canadians Summit. Join us in Halifax, Nova Scotia from Friday, March 20th to Sunday, March 22nd, 2020 to raise awareness on systemic barriers faced by people of African descent and discuss effective ways to advance the position and outcomes for Black communities in Canada.

The National Black Canadian Summit is an annual conference that aims to bring awareness to the major challenges faced by Black Communities across Canada and to open a national conversation on ways to enhance social cohesion, inclusion, equity, and sustainable development, for all Canadians.

Register NOW to join the conversation! USE CODE "Youth2020" by the end of this week to register!

More info and tickets:

The National Black Canadians Summit - The Nova Scotian Appeal 2020 The Nova Scotian Appeal for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination L'appel néo-écossais pour l'élimination de la discrimination raciale

UPDATE**

The Racial Justice Symposium has been Cancelled due to travel challenges among our visiting students. However, we are currently exploring potential future dates for rescheduling purposes. Stayed tuned for an update. We apologies for the inconvenience caused.

Mount Allison will present its first-ever Racial Justice Symposium this week as part of Black History Month activities.

The event will welcome Dr. Afua Cooper as the keynote address on Friday, Feb. 28 at 4 pm (note updated time) in Crabtree Auditorium. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Saturday's symposium is presented in partnership with the Maple League of Universities. To register e-mail [email protected]

Meet KJ, (Kjeld Mizpah) one of the RJS workshop leaders. Originally from Smith’s, Bermuda; Kjeld-Mizpah has called New Brunswick home for many years. A graduate from the University of New Brunswick: Saint John (UNBSJ), he studied Politics and Business. KJ will lead a session on Silent Leadership.

He states "When it comes to leadership, we think of loud and forceful. However, not everyone has those skillsets, and that is okay. In this presentation of we will look at what it means to be a silent leader, understand what skillsets that make introverted leaders powerful, and see how your skills can be used throughout your day today.”

UPDATE!!!
"In conversation with Dr Cooper" has been moved from 5:30pm to 4pm on Friday. The venue remains at Crabtree Auditorium, M14. See you all there.