Anti-Racism and Anti-Hate Project Report
5 Results and Findings: Connecting the Framework to the Environmental Scan
As part of a continuous learning approach for individuals working in the post-secondary sector to AR and AH practices, the emergent framework depicted in Figure 2 is described in detail below in reference to findings from the environmental scan. The underlying recognition of what emerged through the scan and framework is that AR and AH work are both required at a level of each individual as well as at a collective whole of all individuals working in and across PSIs. However, much of the focus of the resources, tools, and training found have an underlying assumption that the reader would make their own judgements in how much to read, what to filter, and eventually how to act.
This focus means that the framework is dependent on choice – the choice to engage, disengage or sustain a current position towards AR and AH practices. As a result, a key part of the process was to identify what themes emerged from the scan and how the resources, training and tools could be framed from the perspective of an individual who is beginning their journey of learning AR and AH work.
Awareness and Reflection
As a starting point in the framework, the findings from the environmental scan showcased resources, tools and training that mirrored a theme of acknowledgement as well as questions of curiosity such as:
- What do I bring?
- What am I taking away?
- Where are the opportunities for renewal and growth?
From journal articles, literature reviews, links, reports, videos, to opportunities for reflection, the scan revealed a broad approach to raising awareness. Increased awareness supports an understanding of the importance of talking about race or hate interwoven with topics such as racism, anti-racism, etc. This review also creates space for individuals to understand the role of different organizations such as the BC’s Office of the Human Rights Commissioner and the Canadian Race Relations Foundation (although the latter is not in BC). Awareness, as a starting point, also serves as a means to help individuals understand a few areas, such as:
- Comprehending widely used terminology such as prejudice, bias and discrimination,
- How improper use of phrases/language can impact and uphold systems of power,
- The importance of land acknowledgements,
- Allow individuals to situate themselves in their positionality as well as comfort/discomfort with this work, and
How one’s ability to self-reflect on a commitment to growth and learning can be helpful.
Knowledge and Competence
Building from awareness, the scan found that PSIs and organizations appeared to rely heavily on the importance of learning and unlearning through knowledge acquisition and capacity building in the findings through questions like:
- How do I begin to understand important definitions, concepts, etc.?
- What skills or competence can I build in these areas?
- How can I begin to take a stand?
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