As we celebrate Asian Heritage Month, the ugly incident of bullying and racial slurs which took place in late April at Keswick High School, Ontario, is a reminder of racism in our midst, and the power of our young people to stand firm against it.
On April 21, 2009, a white student uttered a racial slur at an Asian-Canadian class mate after an argument during a gym class. The argument between the two quickly escalated into a physical fight, resulting in a broken nose for the white student, and arrest, charges of assault causing bodily harm, suspension and possible expulsion for the Asian-Canadian student.
Thoughts About Asian Heritage Month and Canadian Identity
Written by CM Chiba
Asians have been in Canada long before Confederation in 1867 and over the many generations Asian Canadians have made invaluable contributions to this country be they social, political, economic, scientific, and in the arts and culture. And yet, I suspect that one would still be hard pressed to find such contributions explicitly mentioned in any Canadian public or high school textbook, let alone in any scholarly publication on Canadian history. In other words, Canadians of Asian heritage and their identity, sadly, remain on the margins of our collective historical psyche.
The Equity and Leadership Institute: Integrating Anti-Racism with Emotional Intelligence and Conflict Resolution
We've had a tremendous response for the Diversity and Equity Leadership Institute and spots are filling fast! Reminder that the Early Bird rate ends on May 27th, 2009.
"Studies over the past decade have confirmed, our brains operate with a vast unconscious mind that even Freud never suspected."
~ D.G. Meyers, Scientific American Mind
Neuroscience research over the last decade reveals that our day-to-day behaviour is dictated - contrary to popular belief - by how we feel rather than what we think. Emotions, invisible and controlling, are rooted in the unconscious mind and frequently impact our actions without our awareness. Developing greater emotional intelligence - self-awareness, empathy and relationship-building - is widely-recognized as the most important personal competency for leaders to possess. The terrain of emotions raises important and profound question for issues of diversity in the workplace:
What is the role of emotions in our interactions with people from backgrounds different than our own?
How do we uncover our personal "blind-spots" that reside in our unconscious mind in order to create truly inclusive, welcoming environments?
What is the role of unconscious bias and emotional triggers in how well we handle conflict that involves issues of difference (i.e. race, gender, class or sexual orientation)?
Click here for more information or to register
Art Miki talks about the Japanese Canadian Experience
Au moment où nous célébrons le Mois du patrimoine asiatique, l'affreux incident d'intimidation avec propos racistes qui s'est produit fin avril à l'école secondaire Keswick High School, en Ontario, nous rappelle le racisme présent parmi nous et le pouvoir de nos jeunes à s'y opposer fermement.
Le 21 avril 2009, un élève blanc a émis un commentaire raciste à l'attention d'un camarade de classe après un incident qui s'était produit durant un cours de gymnastique. La dispute a rapidement dégénéré en bagarre. L'élève blanc s'est finalement retrouvé avec le nez cassé tandis que l'élève d'origine asiatique a été arrêté, inculpé d'agression causant des blessures corporelles, suspendu et possiblement expulsé de l'école.
Réflexions sur le Mois du patrimoine asiatique et l'identité
Écrit par CM Chiba
Des Asiatiques se sont installés au Canada bien avant l'avènement de la Confédération en 1867 et ce sont des générations de Canadiens d'origine asiatique qui ont apporté une contribution inestimable à ce pays, aussi bien sur le plan social, politique, économique et scientifique que sur le plan des arts et de la culture. Et pourtant, je crois qu'on aurait du mal à trouver une mention explicite de cette contribution dans tout manuel scolaire, primaire ou secondaire, sans parler des publications scientifiques sur l'histoire du Canada. En d'autres termes, les Canadiens d'ascendance asiatique et leur identité demeurent tristement en marge de notre psyché collective
Session d'études intensives sur l'équité et le leadership : Intégrer la lutte contre le racisme à l'intelligence affective et à la résolution de conflit
