Medal Moments: Canada’s 2024 Equity Deserving Olympians

August 2024

The 2024 Paris Olympics has displayed a lineup of diverse medal winning athletes representing Canada. These athletes have demonstrated strength, talent, and diversity on the global stage, inspiring and making their communities proud. Congratulations to these athletes who have brought home a medal for Team Canada!

This article was inspired and sourced by the following articles, Paris 2024 Olympics: All Canadian Medal Winners - Full List, and Canadian Olympic Committee Paris 2024 Medalists.

Creating a Psychologically Safe Workplace for Equity Deserving Employees

August 2024

Psychological safety at work is imperative. Psychological safety is more than feeling comfortable in a workplace, it’s feeling safe to take risks, speak up, disagree openly and share concerns without fear of negative repercussions. Leaders play a crucial role in creating a psychologically safe workplace where all employees feel included and empowered. The feeling of psychological safety can be especially challenging for members of equity deserving groups and a lack of such an environment can have serious impacts on mental health both in and out of the workplace.

Here are 4 ways leaders can foster a psychologically safe workplace:

1. Lead by Example: Leaders should model behavior that is expected on their teams. This means actively promoting open dialogue and demonstrating a commitment to creating a safe space for all employees.

2. Include Diverse Voices in Decision-Making: It is crucial to ensure that meetings and decision-making processes are not dominated by any single group, particularly by individuals of privilege. Every person should have equal opportunities to contribute and be heard. Diverse voices allow decisions to reflect the diverse perspectives of the entire team.

3. Provide Education and Training : Unlearning anti-Black racism, anti-Indigenous racism and discriminatory behaviors, actions and languages require dedicated effort and resources. Create time and space for employees to individually engage in ongoing education about systemic discrimination and inclusion. Collaborating with an organization that delivers anti-racism consulting services can help to create meaningful and lasting change in your organization.

4. Establish Accountability: Establish proactive and consistent policies and procedures for addressing both blatant and subtle discrimination. It’s important that accountability is not left solely to racialized groups and that those with privilege use it to make an impact. This includes, addressing microaggressions promptly, challenging discriminatory language and reassessing hiring processes.

Benefits of a psychologically safe workplace:

Creating a psychologically safe workplace is one where every reasonable effort is made to prevent harm. It is an ongoing process that requires commitment and vigilance, but comes with sustainable benefits including:

1. Improved Mental Health and Well-Being: One of the largest impacts is on employee mental health. When employees feel safe to express their identities, voice concerns and contribute ideas, it fosters an inclusive and empowering environment, mitigating stress and anxiety.

2. Increased Employee Engagement: Employees who feel psychologically safe in their workplace are more likely to be committed and satisfied with their work, bringing their best selves to work everyday.

3. Increased Productivity: Google’s Project Aristotle concluded that the most critical factor of a high-performing team is psychological safety.[1]

4. Increased Creativity and Innovation: Psychological safety fosters innovative solutions and out of the box thinking. Without fear, employees will speak up with new ideas, ask questions and take initiative.

Waking the unConscious places psychological safety at the forefront of all the work we do. Unlearning anti-black racism, anti-Indigenous racism, and discriminatory behaviors, actions and languages as it relates to one’s various intersectional identities is difficult, but we are here to help guide you through the process.  To learn more about the educational services we provide click here.

Additional Sources: [1] Leader Factor, (n.d). Project Aristotle: A Case Study in Psychological Safety. Link.

Black Teen Arrested While Taking Out Garbage: The Harsh Reality for Being Black in America

August 2023

This month, a Black 12-year-old boy was arrested in Lansing, Michigan after the police mistakenly identified him as a car theft suspect. In what the Lansing Police Department has called an unfortunate case of “wrong place, wrong time”, the teen’s father has noted that his son is traumatized from the incident. And how could you not be? Have you ever had to worry about being arrested while simply taking out the garbage? 

What happened? Officers were investigating a series of Kia thefts and learned from a witness that the suspect was wearing neon shorts and a white shirt. A suspect matching the description was spotted by a responding officer and when the officer attempted to contact the individual, the subject fled into a nearby apartment complex. A different officer then saw a young teen who matched the suspect’s description and detained him in handcuffs. The arrest came despite the boy’s father pleading that he was not the suspect and explaining that he was simply taking out the trash. It was not until later that the boy they had detained was identified as not being the suspect that had fled earlier, and he was finally released.

To try and justify the actions of the arresting officer, the Lansing Police Department released a side-by-side comparison of the suspect and the 12-year-old who was detained (pictured below). While we cannot argue that they were wearing the same outfit and are both Black males, there are some stark differences that simply cannot be ignored. The suspect is clearly a much more mature teen or even an adult who has a muscular build, whereas the teen has the build of, quite frankly, a child. The images that the police department chose to compare make it difficult to draw any conclusions regarding height, as they selected an image of the boy alone and without any other individuals as a reference for height. When you look at the image shared of the suspect, he appears to be of a taller stature based on the other individual in the background of the image. For the height of the boy that was detained, it is not until you look at the image of him captured in the viral video (pictured above) that you can clearly see he is smaller than the arresting officer, depicting a clear difference in height between the suspect and the boy. Beyond that, there could also be other differences that are not visible with the graininess of the image such as haircut, skin tone, distinctive facial features, etc. — integral information that you simply cannot determine with the images selected.

Overall, while some people may be shocked to hear about this incident, this is the pervasive reality that so many Black Americans experience. Instances of racism, discrimination, and injustices as well as the adultification of black youths have become so normalized in the lives of Black adolescents, that parents worry about interactions such as this. All they can do is hope that the essential education they provided their child on how to interact with police will prevent any unnecessary harm from occurring. We can't change what we don't acknowledge, and we all need to better understand the realities that come with being Black in today's society so that we can create a future where Black children do not need to fear being arrested while taking out the garbage.

The Montgomery River Boat Incident: A Violent Brawl Depicting the Continued Racial Inequity in America

August 2023

By now, just about everyone has heard about the Montgomery River Boat incident. Whether you saw the videos of the brawl on TikTok, followed it on the news, or saw some memes about folding chairs, the event quickly became plastered across all mainstream media outlets. Before diving into our thoughts about the incident, we are going to provide a quick rundown of what exactly took place.

What happened? On August 6, the Harriett II, a city-run sightseeing riverboat carrying over 200 passengers, was unable to dock due to a pontoon boat that was illegally parked in its designated spot.

The Black co-captain of the Harriett II, Damien Picket, got on the PA system to ask the pontoon boat’s owners to move their vessel, but he was met with obscene gestures as a response. With the need to dock the Harriett, Picket then boarded an independent vessel to take him to the shore so he could move the pontoon boat himself. As he was untying the boat, the boat’s owners came up to him and began arguing. Soon after, one of the White boaters charged Picket and knocked him back. As Picket fought back, a fight quickly began as he was surrounded by eight White boaters that started to attack him.

While the initial fight subsided, tensions remained high as the Harriett II was now docking. The White pontoon boaters remained on the dock, and once close enough, onlookers from the Harriett leaped off the riverboat and immediately charged the illegally parked boaters. This is when the second, and much larger brawl erupted. Dozens of men and women were now part of the fighting, which was occurring largely along racial lines. Police finally intervened and were seen arresting people as the brawl came to an end.

So, this begs the question: how did a man simply doing his job transform into a violent brawl divided along racial lines?

Media outlets have gone in many different directions with explanations for the event. Some have connected it to the deeply racist history of Montgomery, Alabama, and the fatigue surrounding racial inequity in the city. Others have cited the more recent racial tensions in the South, specifically the rejection of the critical race theory or even the new directive from the Florida Board of Education to highlight how Black people benefited from slavery. Beyond that, there has also been skepticism surrounding the racial component of the incident — some acknowledging the clear racial divide, while others noting the lack of evidence in support of this narrative.

While we are not denying the complexity of what happened, the main takeaway should be how this incident ties into the larger issue of ongoing racial inequities and injustices nationwide. It is not something limited to the South, but rather a prominent issue found coast to coast and engrained into the very functioning, and systems within American society. Further, this is not something new — Black people are victims of violence, discrimination, and injustices every single day and in all aspects of their lives. This incident just shows how a Black man, simply doing his job, was subjected to violence and hate, which is the reality that so many Black Americans experience. 

Such violence along racial lines has become so normalized in American society that it is something that some people are able to laugh or poke fun at (e.g., the memes that came out of the brawl). While for many people humour may be a coping mechanism to handle the fear of the realities that come with being Black, none of which occurred should be a joke. It was simply luck that no one was seriously injured because of the reckless actions of so many people and next time, a violent event such as this could easily result in serious harm or even loss of life.

Overall, the Montgomery River Boat incident speaks to the immense work that still needs to be done to create a society in which racial equity can be achieved. It is unfortunate that is takes extreme events such as this for people to recognize the need for ongoing anti-racism efforts. At a time when many folks are denying the need for EAE training and racial inequities, it serves as a stark reminder of the importance of this work. We are unable to change what we do not acknowledge and the road to creating a society where we have eradicated racial inequity begins with acknowledging its current existence.

BEING BLACK IN SPORTS

Black Ownership in the NHL … A Reality We Would Love to See

July 2023

Welcome to our new blog series, #BeingBlackinSports! In this series, our goal is to increase awareness about the realities of Black children, Black youth, and Black people of all ages regarding their relationship to sports. Our intention of this series is to be inspirational and to identify where progress can and has been made, while offering critical examinations to highlight issues and inequities, such as access and representation. We will be looking at all types of sports across all levels — from little league to professional and everything in between and are excited to take you on this journey to #waketheunconscious!

In our first post of this series, we are putting the NHL in the spotlight as we investigate the missed opportunity that could have been the “NHL’s first Black-led ownership group”. [1] Before diving into what a Black-led ownership group would have meant in terms of representation and access, we need to provide a bit of background about the situation. In late 2022, the Ottawa Senators were put up for sale following the death of the team’s owner, Eugene Melnyk. Melnyk passed away in March of last year after owning the team for almost 20 years [2] and the need for a new owner quickly generated immense interest among the wealthy and hockey lovers alike.

The team was accepting bids until May 15, 2023, one of which was made by Los Angeles entrepreneur, Neko Sparks. Sparks’ bid included a line-up of star-studded and diverse investors including rapper Snoop Dogg, Canadian Olympian Donovan Bailey, comedian Russell Peters, as well as various members of the Dragons’ Den. [1] Despite a competitive bid by Sparks’ group, it was announced on June 13 that the team would be sold to Toronto billionaire Michael Andauler. [2] Reasons cited for the choice in sale surrounded seeking an owner with local interest and having someone already within the system that understands the internal functioning, which applies to Andauler as he already owns a share in the Montreal Canadiens. [2]

While it was an opportunity that never came to fruition, we wanted to explore what a Black-led ownership team may have meant for the NHL and the larger Black community.

First off, we need to address the issue of race within the NHL and in hockey more generally. Simply put, representation of Black athletes, owners, coaches, and staff is virtually non-existent in the NHL. ESPN calls out the “large demographic inequities” as it cites the NHL’s first diversity and inclusion report released in 2022 that highlights only 3.74% of employees across the NHL and its teams are Black. [3] But the lack of representation is just one aspect of the race issue, as toxic environments are another reality that Black athletes within the hockey world are subjected to. One instance to exemplify this is when 15-year-old hockey player, Yonas Nicola-Lalonde, from the Greater Toronto Hockey League, was called a racial slur during a game in September of 2022. [4] Nicola-Lalonde, who was the team’s only Black player, commented that the incident “made [him] not want to play anymore and just retire from hockey”. [4] This is not a one-off incident either, as Nicola-Lalonde expressed that he has experienced racial abuse during hockey on numerous occasions prior to this, with the first event occurring when he was only 10 years old. [4]

With a clear understanding of the challenges that are present in the NHL regarding race and inclusion, it’s time to discuss what Neko Sparks’ ownership would have meant to the organization. A Black-led leadership team could have had the opportunity to change the dynamics within the NHL and the broader hockey world while setting it on a trajectory toward increased inclusion, representation, and equity. By selecting an owner that already exists within the system, the NHL has signalled that they are not necessarily seeking someone to challenge the existing norms and practices. As the majority of Sparks’ team was either Black or of other historically minoritized groups, they would have a better understanding of lived experiences and the realities of Black individuals and People of Colour and would have been able to bring in new perspectives and ideas that currently do not exist within the NHL. Further, having Black representation at the ownership level would begin to address the overwhelmingly large diversity gap that the NHL is experiencing in its leadership roles.

Apart from a shift in dynamics and representation, Sparks’ team conveyed that they would be prioritizing the enhancement of diversity with their ownership. One of the largest proponents of this was Snoop Dogg as on numerous occasions during the bidding process he shared commitments pertaining to inclusion. The most notable being his intention to create the “Snoop Youth Hockey League outside of Canada”. [6] Snoop Dogg had hoped to grow hockey in the United States, especially among Black children [5] and he noted, “kids need to know there is an option to play hockey if you look like me” [6]. To those skeptical of this pledge, in 2005 Snoop Dogg founded the Snoop Youth Football League. [7] This league, which is still ongoing today, provides the opportunity for inner-city children to participate in youth football and cheer. [7] Snoop Dogg has shown us that for him, inclusion is not something to just be discussed, but to act on. Had he been given the opportunity of owning an NHL team, underprivileged children, particularly Black children, would have had the chance to play hockey. A chance that will likely not exist without the help of people forcibly challenging existing norms and creating new systems.

Moving on from what could have been, the NHL is not alone in this issue of race and inclusion. Rather, it plays into a larger narrative of the exclusion of Black people from elitist sports. Hockey, equestrian, dance, golf, figure skating, and skiing are all examples of sports where Black representation is largely absent, bringing into question what is perpetuating this phenomenon. Without question, these sports are some of the most expensive, requiring immense capital and time investments in order for children to participate. While sports such as soccer and basketball can quickly be picked up on the street with nothing more than a ball and some willing kids, these elitist sports do not have the same ability. Instead, they require the cost of gear, expensive team fees, and access to facilities, while also placing an added strain on parents and guardians to have the flexibility to drive their children to practices and competitions. The fact is simply that many historically marginalized people do not have the resources to support their children in pursuing these sports. Few Black children in the lower levels of sports fail to create a pipeline of diversity, and as such, Black professional athletes are few and far between in elitist sports because of this.

Even for Black parents that have the resources to support their children, many have made the decision to not enroll their children in these sports because of the lack of representation. A common theme we have heard from Black parents is that their apprehension of putting their children in white-dominated sports emanates from a fear of harm and exclusion that their children may experience. Being “othered” while being subjected to racism and discrimination is a very valid concern as depicted through the experiences of young Yonas Nicola-Lalonde. Further, children need people to look up to, and without Black professional representation at the levels that children aspire to, what is there to show them that they too can be successful?

We want to see a world where children of all races can dream to be whatever they want to be and see people that look like them in positions of success and power — as professional athletes, CEOs, astronauts, and every possible thing they can dream of. But this is simply not the reality today. Instead, Black children are stripped of opportunities because of a lack of representation and equitable access. To those few trailblazers that are attempting to push the norm, they are at risk of experiencing harm and trauma from toxic environments. While a Black-led ownership group in the NHL was a missed opportunity, we applaud Snoop Dogg and hope for more people like him that are pushing boundaries and making a real difference for Black children and sports.

Sources:

1.     Woods, M., (2023, May 23). Sparks group adds Dragons’ Den investors as Senators fans await ownership decision. CTV News Ottawa.
2.     Bengel, C., (2023, June 13). Ottawa Senators sale: Toronto billionaire Michael Andlauer reached agreement to purchase NHL team. CBS Sports.
3.     Wyshynski, G., (2022, October 18). NHL’s first diversity and inclusion report finds workforce 84% white. ESPN.
4.     Strashin, J., (2022, October 7). Toronto hockey league investigating teen’s allegations of racial slur during game. CBC.
5.     The Canadian Press. (2023, May 16). Snoop Dogg says Ottawa Senators bid will include equity for First Nations. Global News.
6.     Woods, M., (2023, May 2). Snoop Dogg plans to start youth hockey league along with Ottawa Senators bid. CTV News.
7.     (n.d.). About Us. Snoop Youth Football League.

Black Barbie: A Documentary follows the history of the Black Barbie while discussing the importance of Black female representation.

May 2023

This month we are celebrating the amazing documentary that Black filmmaker, Lagueria Davis, has created. Davis’ film, Black Barbie: A Documentary, follows the history of Black Barbie through the perspective of her aunt, Beulah Mae Mitchell, and other amazing women who participated in the manufacturing and marketing of the doll. These women discuss the importance of seeing yourself represented within society and the relationship that this has with young children and their selection for toys. As some of the most important years in a child’s life are defined by the many experiences to which they see themselves as defined by all aspects of society, this film inspires reflection and conversation about the realities that Black people experience in regard to representation. 

This talented, young, Black, female filmmaker has created a beautiful piece of cinema that fulfills a long overdue examination into the exclusion of Black representation in society. Lagueria Davis’ Black Barbie will be screened on Saturday, May 6 at the TIFF Bell Lightbox in Toronto and we strongly encourage anyone who is able to check it out! 

Police brutality towards racialized citizens is not isolated to the United States — Edmonton Muslim man victim to police violence.

Understanding and being aware of your own privilege is an essential element in being an anti-racist accomplice. Take some time to Check Your Privilege with Kenya Bundy’s viral video.

May 2023

In a time where just about everyone that you know is on social media, Kenya Bundy has decided to use her social media platform for a bigger purpose. Bundy’s now-viral video aims to open people’s eyes to the discrimination that she has experienced related to her being a Black woman. In the video, Bundy created a “Put a Finger Down” challenge in which she shared 12 experiences that she has had related to her race. As viewers watch this video, they are invited to participate by starting with all their fingers up and then putting a finger down for each of the experiences that they share with Bundy. By visualizing and comparing your own experiences with that of others, the viewer becomes aware of the privilege that they possess.

We are loving this challenge because it is a great way to help people understand the realities that Black people are subjected to simply because of the colour of their skin. It not only aids people in learning about the lives of others, but it also sheds light on the discriminatory behaviours that you may be subconsciously practicing. As education and awareness are important components in developing your anti-racism beliefs and attitudes, take some time to watch Bundy’s video today!