There have been barriers to dismantling Anti-Black Racism at the Toronto Catholic District School Board

BY PAUL JUNOR

There is no doubt that the Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) still has a long way to go as it attempts to work through the challenges and oppositions to creating a viable, equitable and inclusive anti-black racism plan. There was much hope and expectation that with the appointment of Dr. Brendon Browne on September 1^st, 2020 that the board would be able to make positive bold steps.

In a letter he wrote on November 6^th, 2020 titled TCDSB’s Commitment to Addressing Anti-Black Racism he notes, “I recognize my role and leadership as being paramount to addressing systemic racism, ensuring equity and leading from an anti-racist and anti-oppression perspective.” 

Attempts to create the board’s Dismantling Anti-Black Racism Strategy (DABR) through the equity department has not resulted in concrete and actionable steps.  In fact, the TCDSB’s Equity Action Plan states, “Its commitment to equity and inclusion as ever-present goals, critical responsibilities and moral imperatives.” Nevertheless, these are not clear.

The TCDSB has a three-year Action Plan from 2018-2021 titled, Achieving Excellence: A Renewed Vision for Education in Ontario (2014) with the goals of Achieving Excellence, Ensuring Equity, Promoting Well-Being and Enhancing Public Confidence but there are no specific goals with respect to tackling racism.

There is no doubt that the African Canadian Advisory Community (ACAC) has made a significant contribution by bringing issues to the Board that are relevant to the black community. It presented its term of reference with specific steps in December of 2020. The departure of Kirk Mark and Ken Jeffers from the ACAC will certainly be felt. The experience, expertise and extraordinary contributions of these committed stalwarts are invaluable.

Neil Armstrong reported in Pride Magazine that Mark was treated disrespectfully during his November 2020 presentations to the board, but there were other underlying factors that led to his resignation. He and Ken were responsible for the development of the Equity and Inclusive Education Strategy as a vital tool to combat racism. Their request for the ACAC to be granted special status category by the TCDSB has been granted.

Jeffers told Pride Magazine regarding the ACAC, “We cannot point to an outcome that says, based on time there, this is how our children have benefitted. We cannot do it.” The community component of the ACAC is not complete. They only have four participants with two abstentions. It still has not recruited new members.

Donna Harrow, chair of the ACAC, credited Mark and Ken for forcing the TCDSB’s board to make positive steps. There are concerns expressed by Mark regarding Superintendent Derek Chen’s lack of experience with respects to issues, challenges and concerns.

There have been several initiatives that the Equity Department has undertaken. The updating of its Equity Action Plan does not seem to go far enough to address and dismantle anti-black racism. There is hope that the formation of the Race and Relations Committee, once its members are finalized, will be able to play an active role that will make a major impact on hurdles and obstacles that are still present.

The TCDSB has been criticized heavily for its handling of black teachers who have faced racism. Paul Rosso, a former TCDSB principal has raised concerns to CBC News with respect to how the board deals with students who have been expelled from marginalized communities.The Equity Department will be involved in an Student Identity-Based Data Collection survey. There is no indication that this will involve race-based data on suspensions/expulsion of BIPOC students.

Carl James, professor of education at York University told CBC News, “Why hasn’t the TCDSB been keeping data? How can you continue with students,working with them and addressing these issues, without data?”