Written By: Bella McKenzie

 

Today is the first day of Black History Month. ✊🏿✊🏾✊🏽 

Black History Month is dedicated to celebrating and honouring Black Canadians and Americans, their many achievements, contributions, and their communities. Black communities have done so much to shape Canada’s heritage and identity. They make Canada more accepting, creative, innovative, and culturally diverse.  

The history and accomplishments of Black Canadians have and continue to influence academia, universities, and students year-round. Black History Month (BHM) reminds us all that Black history is a part of our everyday lives all months of the year.  

Beyond the month of February, it’s important to remember that the Black community is subjected to racism, discrimination, suspicion, profiling, and many other inequities because of the colour of their skin.  The tragic murder of Tyre Nichols at the hands of Memphis police and other incidents of hate-motivated violence recently in the news are a terrible and visceral reminder of the plague of racism in our society. We must work together to help end racial injustices, eradicate barriers to education and advancement, and dismantle policies that perpetuate disparities all months of the year. 

Please take time to reflect on the courage and resilience of members of the Black community. We all must continue the essential work of self-reflection, intentional anti-racism, and unlearning anti-Black racism. Take the time to reflect on what we can do to ensure that racism, discrimination, and oppression have no space here at the University of Waterloo. 

 

Continuing Conversations 

This year’s BHM theme is “Black Resistance” which describes the Black families’ response to navigating systemic anti-Black racism.  

Extend your learning, conversations, and celebrations beyond February by exploring a brief history of Black experience at UWaterloo. PhD candidate Jonathan Zi En Chan and Professor Christopher Taylor uncover Black student and faculty stories and the evolution of Black Studies. Leaders, scholars, innovators, and creatives with African origins have shaped the university as we know it today. 

 

Continuing Education 

Black History Month is an ideal time to continue your learning, and unlearning, through university and community workshops. Find WUSA learning opportunities here: 

Find WUSA & UWaterloo learning opportunities here: 

• History’s Anti-Racism Taskforce (HART) Book Club 
• History Speaker Series 
• Equity Workshops 
• Challenging Systemic Barriers: The Equity Lens 
• Call it Out – eCourse that offers a foundation for learning about race, racial discrimination, and more 
• Resources to Assist Your Allyship Journey 
• “In Conversation With” and “The Curve” with Dr Christopher Taylor – Podcasts on anti-racism, inclusion, and more 
• Confronting Anti-Black Racism e-Learning Course 
• The President’s Anti-racism Taskforce (PART) 
• Quick Links to Anti-Racism Resources 
• March 10 & 11: XChanges Conference hosted by RAISE 
  • Filled with workshops, keynote speakers and BIPOC artists, we invite you to the XChanges Conference in March. Happening right on the UWaterloo campus, the conference will allow you to engage in fun activities and appreciate various BIPOC talents while gaining insightful knowledge. 

Find community resources to advance your learnings: 

• February 5: Waterloo Region Black History Month Launch 2023 
• February 9: CCDI Webinar: Black History Month: Unlearning anti-Black racism 
• March 21: CCDI Webinar: Microaggressions: Microinterventions and microaffirmations

Find the Black Faculty Collective’s anti-Black racism learning opportunities here: 

• Anti-Racist Allyship Starter Pack 
• Anti-Racism Resources for White People 
• Community POC Reading Recommendations 
• Racial Equity Tools Glossary 
• Aptly Outspoken! – Podcast 
• Code Sw!tch – Podcast 
• Intersectionality Matters (AAPF) – Podcast 
• Momentum: A Race Forward Podcast 

Educate yourself through the University of Waterloo Programs, Minors, and Diplomas that involve learning and advocating for the Black community and other marginalised groups i.e.: 

• Diploma in Black Studies 
• Diploma in Fundamentals of Anti-Racist Communication 
• Cultural Identities Minor
• Gender and Social Justice Program, Minor or Diploma 
• Human Rights Minor 
• Peace and Conflict Studies Program, Minor, or Diploma 

 

Celebrating Black Student Excellence 

WUSA is committed to amplifying and highlighting Black undergraduate student voices. Please join us on the @yourWUSA Instagram for a takeover from Racial Advocacy for Inclusion, Solidarity and Equity (RAISE) during the second week of Feb.  

Additionally, for three Saturdays this month, we will feature a Black-facing, student-run club! They will share their accomplishments, events, the importance of their club and Black History Month, and more. Here is our list of featured clubs: 

1. AfroXDance Club 
2. African Student Association (ASA) 
3. Black Association for Student Expression, UW (UW BASE) 

 

Need support? 

Below is a quick, non-exhaustive list of support systems for students in the WUSA and UWaterloo communities. 

WUSA: 

• RAISE 
• MATES 
• Empower Me – Mental Health Resources 

University of Waterloo: 

• Accommodations for Racial Trauma 
• Counselling Services 
• Quick Links 
• Support from the Equity Office