Beyond Words and into action: The power of partnership

Editor’s Note: Great journalism doesn’t simply report events—it documents history. This archived article offers valuable context for conversations that continue to unfold today.

I had the honour of attending Beyond Words: A live podcast event hosted by The 44 North in partnership with Harmony Movement, University of Toronto Schools, and Unsinkable. The evening explored: language, anti-Black racism, school culture, accountability, belonging, and responsibility.

After reading the background information shared prior to the event, I reflected on lessons I learned years ago while trying to start difficult conversations within the workplace after George Floyd was murdered. I wrote to my colleagues about what I was experiencing at that time and the concerns I had. While I appreciated the support I received, I also questioned why so many were silent.

I witnessed firsthand how institutions can either create trust or erode it depending on how they respond when concerns are raised. What stayed with me from those experiences was that silence has consequences too because communities are shaped not only by what is said, but by what goes unsaid, unchallenged, unheard, or unsupported, and the repercussions of inaction can also be a huge burden on our youth.

As I scanned the Jackman Theatre, what stood out about this event was not simply who was on stage to speak, but who was listening. In a room of students, educators, parents, advocates, and community members from diverse backgrounds, the conversation was less about assigning blame and more about understanding the role each of us plays in shaping culture and our communities.

Host Asante Haughton, through his personal story, reminded the audience that the things we say, tolerate, challenge, or ignore help shape the environments young people navigate every day. Three questions he asked stood out and pushed the conversation beyond identifying harm and toward examining responsibility: What role do White people play in shaping school culture? Are they doing enough? What more can be done? Bold but important questions that deserve an event of their own.

Co-host Kritika Sharda, also asked thoughtful questions that encouraged the panelists to share their perspectives, and some of the evening’s most powerful insights were offered by student panelists Diara Jones and Safeyyah Imam.

Jones spoke about how discriminatory language often becomes harder to identify as students get older. Harmful behaviour becomes more subtle as they learn what they can get away with. Intent becomes easier to defend, while impact becomes easier to dismiss.

Imam reflected on how moving to Canada shifted how others perceived her. Identities rooted in culture, faith, and heritage became reduced to labels such as “Black” and “immigrant.” Her comments highlighted the ways language can shape belonging before someone has the opportunity to define themselves.

Neither student spoke solely about harm. Both bravely spoke about leadership as too often, conversations about young people happen without young people. Their presence serves as a reminder that young people are not simply participants in these conversations, they help lead them and shape solutions.

The evening also made it clear that youth leadership does not replace adult responsibility. Panelists Delux Yogarajah and Tracey Kayy emphasized the importance of healing, accountability, policy, storytelling, and creating spaces where young people feel like they belong. Their advocacy helped build a container where difficult conversations could happen with honesty, dignity, and care.

The title of The 44 North’s guest writer Lillian Currie’s essay, a background reading for the event, captured the spirit of the evening: “Words Matter: Harm builds over time. So does healing.” The same can be said of belonging, which is rarely the work of one person, one policy, or one generation. It is built through relationships, accountability, courageous conversations, discomfort, and communities willing to listen to one another across generations and differences. It takes young people willing to speak, adults willing to listen, and communities willing to act.

Whether you are a parent, educator, coach, mentor, student, employer, or community organization, we all play a role in shaping the culture around us. Whose voice needs your support today? What actions are you brave enough to take to help ensure they are heard?

Visit www.the44north.ca for Lillian Currie’s essay, the live recording of the evening, and for details on their current essay writing contest.