Ayan meets the Board
I am realizing now that I have fallen behind in updating the “opening remarks” portion of this blog. Honestly, it began to get more and more specific and less inspirational so I didn’t really feel it was worthwhile to share the heavily edited version.
But I was asked, along with my co-chair, to present at a Board meeting. Here is the link.
We believe that, true collaboration, trauma-informed educational practices and focusing on individual change is the way forward, we've proven it through our meetings.
I’d like to begin with a land acknowledgment and a call to action for those of us here as settlers on indigenous lands. I send my deepest support and gratitude to the rightful stewards of Turtle Island, I extend my thanks to the Annishabeg people, whose unceded, unsurrendered Territory is where we meet. The Inuit, who must leave their homes, families and communities to come south for opportunities and access to basic rights. To all land defenders especially those on Wet-su-weten land who are being harmed and violated for corporate greed and national pride. We stand in solidarity with all First Nation, Inuit and Metis people, and seek to take a more active role in our efforts to support them in every space we enter.
Deepika and I are so glad to be here tonight to showcase not only our own efforts but especially those of the members of ACE who have welcomed us and allowed us to introduce such radical shifts into their space. We have reached success with these changes by every measurable criterion but the focus of today is how by decentering the board, trustees and even ourselves we have created a space where organic and authentic dialogue occurs. Every single member on ACE brings a vastly different perspective, not just because they are part of racialized, marginalized and underserved communities but because of who they are as individuals. Representation is important, full stop. But not so that one Black person invited into a space must then speak on behalf of all Black people, it’s important because true representation grounds every discussion in reality. It is incumbent on us as Co-Chairs to ensure that we are not bringing oppressive and simplistic beliefs into the space, and nothing is more reductionist than the phrase "diversity".
As an anti-racism educator, I am intimately aware of how problematic and unsuccessful diversity and inclusion initiatives can be when they cast too wide a net and too generic a goal. We at ACE seek to decenter that narrative whenever possible, it is not up to the underserved communities to fix the issues they had no hand in creating. But they shouldn’t be excluded from those conversations either. Therein lies the issue, how can a colonial system enact any change for the better when the system itself is inherently harmful? How can we transform spaces, like ACE, like classrooms and yes, like Board meetings, to do the most good?
We believe that, true collaboration, trauma-informed educational practices and focusing on individual change is the way forward, we've proven it through our meetings.
As chairs, we strived to connect with the committee members and incorporate their expertise, life experience and opinions into what we sought to change. When I put my name forward to become chair I had assumed that I would use my own expertise to bring about change and I could not have been more wrong, by opening up the process and decentering myself as the titled leader I was able to model what behaviours, actions and insights I thought were acceptable. I admit when I am wrong, I point out amazing, compassionate and kind insights from anyone who shares. And most importantly I do not ever assume the outcomes of what is brought into the space. If I am an honest, vulnerable and fallible person they then are allowed to be themselves fully in the space as well.
I would like to note that I do understand the complexity around concepts like transparency and accountability. Especially when discussing intricate colonial systems like education, for the system to function as it was intended those ideas cannot survive inside of it. But another key area of focus we introduced was decentering the Board and what they thought the role of ACE would be. We changed the structure of the meetings, the agendas and even how presentations happen. At an individual level, we have been very impressed and grateful for how receptive our team at the school board has been. As people, we see their efforts and not only appreciate them but value them highly. But obviously, it is not enough. Not because they aren’t trying but because the systemic issues remain, and become obstacles that require change. The system is oppressive, harmful and traumatizing, it was created that way and unless we seek to undo those aspects the efforts from amazing individuals will never be enough. It must be two-pronged, highlight and elevate the teachers, administrators and staff already doing amazing work, but also disassemble the structures that make their jobs harder. We met phenomenal people, educators who have been part of the OCDSB for decades who never wavered in their commitment to the students they serve, but how realistic is to assume every individual committed to anti-racism and decolonization can work in a vacuum. The students who leave their classes are subject to all of the rest of the staff and administrators in the school. This type of change is possible. It will take immense effort, transparency and accountability but I truly believe it can be done.
And while I truly believe how ACE functions now is a success, we have also hit that same wall. How much planning and organizing can we do when we are not part of the everyday process of being in a school. And I do believe in education, I am an enthusiastic supporter of all types of teachers, but I also am a former student of this school board who experienced emotional, psychological, and physical abuse from OCDSB staff and students. I do not share this lightly; I share it in the hopes that it adds clarity to the level of severity I believe is required in these discussions. Data collection and identity surveys are one type of shift, but it is still a colonial process. Seeking to legitimize experiences that are so common and normalized does not reduce any harm. You are merely creating a catalogue. Is this is for historic accuracy or is this for active shifts in the here and now?
