durhamregion.com This Week | Thursday, June 9, 2022 | 24 Nick and Carmela DELIVERY Wednesday 12-8pm Thurs, Fri, Sat 12 - 10pm Sunday 4 - 8pm Closed Mon & Tues Come in OVEN READY Take N Bake Pizza, Home made Soup, Many Pasta Dishes, Balsamic & Caesar Dressings, Eggplant Parmigiana, Tiramisu desserts, Arancini (rice balls), Chicken & Veal Parmigiana, Sauces (meat, rose, alfredo, tomato, arrabbiata, voldka, marsala) Custom Catering Available (talk to Carmela) ThANK YOU FOR YOUR SUppORT! TAKEOUT or La Pizza! & Pasta A Tradition of Quality, Value & Service Since 1975 Lasagna Special Every Thursday Only $27 One location only! 30 Taunton Rd. E., North Oshawa • 905-725-5100 www.lapizzaandpasta.com Ready to Go! Take & Bake Dinners & more available. ON NOW AT THE BRICK!ON NOW AT THE BRICK! SAVING YOU MORE For more details shop instore or online at thebrick.com Durham's Catholic school board has a new anti-racism policy in place -- but the process to get there wasn't without controversy. Trustees and members of the public raised concerns about language in the policy, suggesting that it reflected "critical race theory," an academic concept that contends racism -- whether intentional or not -- is systemic and embedded in institutions. Critical race theory is a hot-button issue in the United States, where some states have passed legislation that restricts its use in classrooms. Richard Damianopoulos, a Durham Catholic District School Board trustee representing north Durham, says local controversy centred on definitions in the policy. "There were concerns that it was using the language of critical race theory, there were a lot of concerns around using that language," he said. After lengthy debate, trustees approved an amended version of the policy that removed many definitions altogether including: colonialism, white supremacy, anti-Black racism, microaggression, reparation, intersectionality and restorative practice. "We tightened the definitions, we stuck to definitions that were of a legal nature. I think that's a matter of good policy," Damianopoulos said. "Every trustee around the table wants to take a strong stand against racism." A paragraph was also removed that said the board "recognizes the presence of biases, barriers, and power dynamics that have historically excluded Black and racialized students and staff. It is important to acknowledge the legacy of colonialism and the role of white supremacy in systemically embedding racism, and allowing practices and approaches rooted in dominant culture to reinforce the prioritization of privileged voices, concerns, potentials and achievements over others." Chair Morgan Ste. Marie says the board received "mixed feedback" on the policy during public consultations. "The feedback ranged from criticisms of being divisive, to praise for putting forward an important document to frame and structure how the board will work to address racism and discrimination," he says. Similar issues were raised when Durham District School Board trustees debated the board's human rights policy, with Pickering Trustee Paul Crawford calling for the term "white supremacy" to be removed. Requirements in the new DCDSB policy include: putting procedures in place to enable students and staff to report incidents of racism, discrimination and harassment safely and quickly; ensuring there are ongoing professional learning opportunities on anti-racism; and reviewing curriculum resources to make sure they meet the diverse needs of all students and staff. DCDSB Superintendent Susie Lee-Fernandes says the document is "an important step in articulating how the board is continuing to foster safe, inclusive, and positive spaces within our Catholic learning communities." The DCDSB has also hired a human rights and equity advisor who will join the board in June and play a key role in reviewing and implementing the policy moving forward. Public consultation on the policy started in fall of 2020 following a racist incident that shocked the DCDSB community. In October 2020 a Black student's yearbook message was replaced with racist content that the principal at St. Mary Catholic Secondary School described as "malicious, hurtful and racist in nature." Lee-Fernandes says the new policy "reflects the feedback, voices and input we received from these conversations, and is a step forward on our journey toward more inclusive spaces for our Black and racialized students, staff, and community." The policy will be brought forward again for further review in the fall. ANTI-RACISM POLICY APPROVED BY DURHAM CATHOLIC JILLIAN FOLLERT jfoller t@durhamregion.com NEWS The Durham Catholic District School Board has approved a new anti-racism policy. Pictured are examples of books used to support the board's new course, Deconstructing Anti-Black Racism in the Canadian and North American Context. Durham Catholic District School Board photo Don't be a LitterBug! Please keep our community clean.