Nadia Richards, Manager of Anti-Racism Integration at the Office of Anti-Racism, Equity and Human Rights Services (OAREHRS), has created a tool to help the George Brown community engage in the work of Anti-Racism. Take 5 for Anti-Racism is a framework modelled on our college’s existing Take 5 for Safety framework, and was designed to guide difficult conversations around the college — and spark action. We sat down with Richards (pictured) to find out more.
What is “Take 5 for Anti-Racism?”
Take 5 for Anti-Racism is a simple-to-use-resource that guides the user through five simple steps to engage in Anti-Racism. This tool can be used by anyone: those who are versed in the anti-racism dialogue/practice, and those who are new to the topic. This resource is meant to support, engage and, most importantly, have us all reflect on the best ways we can personally enter the dialogue and practice of Anti-Racism. This engagement looks different for everyone.
Who has been involved in the creation of this resource?
This resource was inspired by the Take 5 for Safety poster at George Brown. When I began here at George Brown, my colleague, Alex Hill-Mann, Human Rights Advisor at OAREHRS, mentioned that the “Take 5” framework may be a useful to promote understanding of the work of anti-racism. I took her advice, conducted my research about the best ways to engage people in Anti-Racism — and Take 5 for Anti-Racism was born.
How would you like the George Brown community to use this resource?
I would like employees and students to use this resource on an ongoing basis. I imagine this resource being a tool for personal development, as well as a tool to start discussions surrounding anti-racism in the classroom and in the office. It can also be used in conversations with friends and with family.
Anti-racism work requires ongoing reflection and introspection from all of us, as racism itself is ever-changing and fluid. I’d also like to add that it’s important not to rush through these guidelines — or the work of Anti-Racism; this work deserves time and consideration.
Anti-Racism work is important to me, and it is my goal to do this work in the spirit of compassion, collaboration, and engagement at the college. Please remember that this work is all of our work; it’s not the job of the racialized individual in the group to always lead these conversations.
I encourage staff, faculty and students to visit the OAREHRS website or contact us at diversity@georgebrown.ca to learn more about our work.
