A letter from Sheridan Student
Union Board of Directors in solidarity
against anti-Black racism.
Like many of you, we have been reminded of the ongoing reality of anti-Black racism not only in the United States, but also in Canada and around the world. As student leaders we feel it is important to recognize racism both here and abroad, and the effects that it has on the students we serve.
At Sheridan Student Union, our vision is to empower our student community to succeed in a changing world. Reflecting on this, we must recognize that our world is changing, and we will all be part of leading our communities through this change. We recognize our roles as young leaders in one of Canada’s - and the world’s – most diverse communities.
Sheridan Student Union condemns racism in all of its forms. People experience racism in many ways, and recent events focus us on the systemic injustice of anti-Black racism that must be addressed. We acknowledge the lived experiences of Black students and their families, and condemn the ongoing existence of anti-Black racism in our communities, and around the world.
As always, we remain committed to better serving the students of Sheridan College and creating a safe and inclusive space for all students. It is our responsibility to educate ourselves and commit to the long, intentional work that is required to create a lasting, positive change.
As members of this diverse community, we ask that you join us in this commitment.
Educate yourselves. Have difficult conversations. If you choose, participate in safe, peaceful protest. Seek out the support you need. Speak your truth. Learn how you can be a better ally.
We see you. We hear you. And we stand in solidarity with all who aim to eradicate racism.
Black Lives Matter.
To further our support, the SSU has put together a list of resources,
ways to get involved and continued learning:
community
Sheridan Black Students Association
The Black Students Association is a group of Black students and allies who aim to promote black excellence and representation across Sheridan. We hope to take a stand against any kind of discrimination against any of our members and allies regardless of race, religious background, gender, or sexual orientation. We hope to share Black culture across Sheridan and create an environment of togetherness.
Get in touch:
If you want to get involved, contact Stephanie Garrick, Club President at:
garricks@sheridancollege.ca
Sheridan Black Students Association is hosting a Solidarity March against anti-black racism at Sheridan
Saturday, June 13, 2020, from 12pm to 2pm at the Hazel McCallion Campus.
For more information, click here.
support
@BailProject
The Bail Project is an organization that believes no one should be in jail because of poverty. They provide free bail assistance, reunite families and restore the presumption of innocence.
@mnfreedomfund
The Minnesota Freedom Fund pays criminal bails and immigration for those who can’t afford to, as they seek an end to discriminatory, coercive, and oppressive jailing.
@blklivesmatter
The is the official account for the #BlackLivesMatter Global Network. BLM is a call to action & response to anti-Black racism.
@
naacp
The NAACP was founded in 1909, and is the the first and largest grassroots-based civil rights organization in the U.S.
@audrelordproject
Audre Lorde Project is a community organizing centre for LGBTSTGNC people of colour communities.
read
White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard For White People To Talk About Racism
In this in-depth exploration, DiAngelo examines how white fragility develops, how it protects racial inequality, and what we can do to engage more constructively, and “allows us to understand racism as a practice not restricted to ‘bad people’”.
by Robin DiAngelo
How To Be An Antiracist
Kendi takes readers through a widening circle of antiracist ideas—from the most basic concepts to visionary possibilites—that will help readers see all forms of racism clearly, understand their posionous consequences, and work to oppose them in our systems and in ourselves.
by Ibram X. Kendi
Me and White Supremacy: Combat Racism, Change the World, and Become a Good Ancestor
Me and White Supremacy takes readers on a 28-day journey of how to dismantle the privilege within themselves so that they can stop (often unconsciously) inflicting damage on people of colour, and in turn, help other white people do better, too.
by Layla F. Saad
Black Feminist Thought: Knowledge, Consciousness, and the Politics of Empowerment
In Black Feminist Thought, originally published in 1990, Patricia Hill Collins set out to explore the words and ideas of Black feminist intellectuals and writers, both within the academy and without.
by Patricia Hill Collins
So You Want to Talk About Race
Ijeoma Oluo guides readers of all races through subjects ranging from intersectionality and affirmative action to "model minorities" in an attempt to make the seemingly impossible possible: honest conversations about race and racism, and how they infect almost every aspect of American life.
by Ijeoma Oluo
watch
13th: In this thought-provoking documentary, scholars, activists and politicians analyze the criminalization of African Americans and the U.S. prison boom. Available on Netflix.
Stay Woke: The Black Lives Matter Movement: A documentary film starring Jesse Williams about the Black Lives Matter movement, and the events that led to the uprising of the movement. Available on Amazon Prime Video and YouTube.
Fruitvale Station: Fruitvale Station is based on the events leading to the death of Oscar Grant, a young man who was killed in 2009 at the Fruitvale district station of the Bay Area Rapid Transit system in Oakland. Available on Amazon Prime Video.
I Am Not Your Negro: This 2016 documentary is based on James Baldwin’s unfinished manuscript Remember This House. It’s a journey into black history that connects the past of the Civil Rights movement to the present of #BlackLivesMatter. Available on YouTube and Google Play Movies & TV.
Selma: Selma is a historical drama that is based on the 1965 Selma to Montgomery voting rights marches led by James Bevel, Hosea Williams, Martin Luther King Jr., and John Lewis. Available on YouTube and Google Play Movies & TV.
listen
Good Ancestor Podcast
An interview series with change-makers and culture-shapers exploring what it means to be a good ancestor. Hosted by globally respected speaker, anti-racism educator, and New York Times bestselling author of Me and White Supremacy, Layla F. Saad.
1619
1619 is a New York Times audio series, hosted by Nikole Hannah-Jones, that examines the long shadow of American slavery.
About Race
From the author behind the bestselling Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race,
Reni Eddo-Lodge, comes a podcast that takes the conversation further. Featuring key voices from the last few decades of anti-racist activism, this podcast looks at the recent history that lead to the politics of today.
Pod For The Cause
This podcast, by The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, expands the conversation on critical civil and human rights challenges of our day: census, justice reform, policing, education, fighting hate & bias, judicial nominations, fair courts, voting rights, media & tech, economic security, immigration, and human rights.
Intersectionality Matters
Intersectionality Matters! is a podcast hosted by Kimberlé Crenshaw, an American civil rights advocate and a leading scholar of critical race theory.
FOLLOW ALONG
@thegreatunlearn: A community of everyday human beings committed to curiosity for what is possible in the world.
@theconsciouskid: An account that’s focus is parenting and education through a critical race lens.
@thefreeblackwomenslibrary: This Instagram account is centred on celebrating the art, writing and lives of Black women.
@rachel.cargle: Rachel Elizabeth Cargle is working on building an intellectual legacy through teaching, storytelling and critical discourse. She is also the curator behind @thegreatunlearn.
@iamrachelricketts: Rachel Ricketts is a racial justice educator, spiritual activist, change maker, healer and author.
resources and communities
Therapy For Black Girls
Therapy For Black Girls was founded by Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, who also happens to be the resident psychologist at Oprah Magazine. Like it’s name suggests, this account offers mental health resources for black women. And through it you can access podcast content, or find a therapist, in addition to tips and mindfulness guides.
Harriet’s Apothecary
A healing village led by Black Cis Women, Queer & Trans healers, artists, activists & ancestors, centering the genius of Black, Indigenous & POC folk. With content like insightful Instagram Live sessions, virtual wellness circles, and webinars, this account has a well-rounded approach to healing.
Black Girl In Om
Black Girl In Om has a vision for a world where womxn of colour are liberated, empowered and seen. They help do this by creating a space for black women to breathe easy, by offering meditation and digital community.
Black and Embodied
Black And Embodied is an account started by licensed mental health therapist, Alishia McCullough. She also happens to be a social justice warrior, self-love promoter, and self-described promoter of fat liberation and racial healing. She’s got a variety of different resources available through her account, from links to the Holistic Black Healing Collective, to books, and the body trauma podcast.
Ethel’s Club
Ethel’s Club is a social and wellness club that’s designed to celebrate people of colour, both online and in real life, through workshops, sound sessions, virtual group sessions and more.
GET THE SUPPORT YOU NEED
A crisis or traumatic event can trigger overwhelming emotional responses. People are impacted and respond to these events in different ways. There is no reason to suffer in silence. We encourage anyone who is struggling to seek professional help.
SHERIDAN COUNSELLING SERVICES
Any students seeking comfort and support are able to access Counselling Services by calling The Centre for Student Success at:
Davis Campus: (905) 459 -7533 ext. 5400
Hazel McCallion Campus: (905) 459 - 7533 ext. 2528 Trafalgar Road Campus: (905) 845 - 9430 ext. 2557
You can also email askanadvisor@sheridancollege.ca to make an appointment with a Counsellor.
SHERIDAN STUDENT UNION EMPOWER ME SERVICE
Sheridan Student Union Health and Dental coverage includes Empower Me, which allows students to connect with qualified counsellors, consultants, and life coaches for a variety of issues.
As a Sheridan student, you are entitled to sessions delivered in person, by telephone, by video-counselling, or by e-counselling.
Contact them at their toll free number, 1-844-741-6389 or visit the Empower Me Login page.