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11 durhamregion.com | This Week | Thursday, October 13, 2022 | EXPERIENCE LEADERSHIP RESULTS For Durham Regional Chair RE-ELECT CAMPAIGN@ELECTJOHNHENRY.COM | 905.410.2419 @johnhenryfordurham @johnhenry_durham ELECTJOHNHENRY.COM WHITBY'S CLEAR CHOICE FOR DURHAM REGIONAL CHAIR MY CAMPAIGN FOR REGIONAL CHAIR FOCUSES ON 4 KEY AREAS, EXPANDING ON THE INITIATIVES I BEGAN WHENYOU CHOSE ME TO LEAD THE REGION IN 2018. Broadband for all our communities. Supporting our agricultural community. Challenges of homeless, mental health and addictions. Preparing the Region for the post pandemic recovery and the expected doubling of our population by 2051. Christine Thatcher Re-Elect Vote for: Experience Commitment Proven Leadership On October 24 Vote for Christine Thatcher Your voice at the DDSB (resident of Brooklin for nearly 25 years) Trustees have taken a second look at the Durham Catholic District School Board's anti-racism policy -- and approved an updated version that reinstates some wording that was previously removed. An updated version of the policy was approved at a special board meeting on Sept. 21. The issue has been a heated and emotional one. When the policy was up for discussion this spring, some trustees and members of the public raised concerns that language in the document reflected critical race theory. In May, trustees approved an amended version of the policy that removed definitions of words such as colonialism, white supremacy, anti-Black racism, microaggression, reparation, intersectionality and restorative practice. A paragraph about the impacts of colonialism and white supremacy was also taken out. The move resulted in swift criticism from many community members and resulted in the DCDSB issuing a statement, noting that "we are sorry to have hurt members of our community and we deeply regret this." The board's Anti-Black Racism and Black Excellence Committee called the actions of trustees "systemic anti-Black racism in action." The committee is made up of more than 60 Black parents and advocates, whose children attend DCDSB schools. "Perhaps most problematic, was the trustees' inexplicable willingness to centre the viewpoints of a very small group of people spouting a narrative rooted in white fragility," reads a statement from the committee, adding that "this entire incident is what it looks like to uphold the status quo of white-supremacist colonialism that this policy is attempting to eradicate within the board." Parents of Black Children, an advocacy group working to dismantle anti-Black racism in education in Ontario, also weighed in, saying trustees undid years of equity work. "We note that DCDSB was one of the first boards in the province to engage in equity work at a time when few were taking up this work. That is now erased." The updated version of the policy, approved on Sept. 21, adds the definition of colonialism back into the document, as well as an introductory paragraph that states, in part, that "the board acknowledges the legacy of colonialism and biases rooted in privileged dominant culture which create barriers that continue to negatively impact racialized persons ..." Changes also include adding the term "microaggressions" to a section noting that "the board will make every effort to identify and confront racist behaviours, microaggressions and discriminatory practices ..." "We know that student success is enhanced when the learning environment is safe, welcoming and free from discrimination," says Tracy Barill, the DCDSB's director of education. "We value student voice and agency, and look forward to working with all members of the community to fully implement and realize the essence of this policy in practice." Community members who emailed the board with concerns about critical race theory suggested those concepts could create division. "This whole policy is extremely dangerous. It could very well lead to the alienation of white children, making them feel uncomfortable, and giving them guilt, where no guilt is theirs," reads an except from one email -- the board removed identifying information from the correspondence received. Another noted that "the thought that because someone is white they have privilege or if they are in certain groups they are oppressed, that is simply not true. This idea goes against the Gospel completely." DCDSB UPDATES ANTI-RACISM POLICY AFTER CONTROVERSY Trustees have taken a second look at the Durham Catholic District School Board's new anti-racism policy - and approved an updated version that reinstates some wording and definitions that were previously removed. Metroland file photo JILLIAN FOLLERT jfoller t@durhamregion.com NEWS 'THIS ENTIRE INCIDENT IS WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE TO UPHOLD THE STATUS QUO OF WHITE-SUPREMACIST COLONIALISM' Find what you're looking for, in the location you want, for the price you want to pay! Catch a Great Deal! Browse our inventory of vehicles by Body Style, popular Makes and Models, Province, popular Cities or by Price. Whatever path you choose, you will find the right car, in the right location, for the right price! Right Choice{ }CarPlacePrice