Anti-Racism and Equity (ARE)
2021/2022 marks the first year of Wilkinson’s Anti-Racism and Equity (ARE) Committee. Our committee is dedicated to the goal of ensuring that every child at Wilkinson feels that they matter and are seen. We will be endeavouring to connect and create relationships with the entire Wilkinson community so that everyone’s voice can be heard and respected.
New members are welcome! If you’d like to join us, please email Wilkinsonact@gmail.com
Current Projects
Our project ideas for this upcoming year include (but are not limited to) fundraising for Anti-Racism workshops/speakers, coordinating the enhancement of the school library to include anti-racism and equity books, facilitating connecting with more parents from racialized families in our community, and creating and supporting the Council’s inclusive school events.
The ARE committee has also compiled a recommended book list of children and young adult books featuring main characters of diverse backgrounds, abilities, and family structures. Please note that this book list continues to be updated on a regular basis.
Incidents of bullying, discrimination, unfairness, exclusion, and unkindness among children can centre on identities such as race, ethnicity, ability, and sexual orientation.
Our school community, like many others, has had incidents of this nature occur. Inappropriate commentary and conduct, for example, can be based on characteristics like a child’s hair type or style, skin colour, religion or the need for extra learning supports.
Conversations with our children on these topics are challenging, uncomfortable, and often very sensitive; but they are important. Please consider exploring these issues with your children.
There are resources to assist parents in addressing these issues with their children. Sesame Street had a townhall called “Coming Together: Standing Up to Racism, a townhall for kids and families”. Similarly, the TDSB has a podcast entitled “The Human Library: Conversations around Equitable, Anti-Racist, and Anti-Oppressive Practice.”