6 days ago
Teachers outraged as school district tells them innocent word is RACIST
A school district in Canada has defended a presentation which declared the use of the word 'family' problematic, due to its 'white supremacist' roots.
The Waterloo Region District School Board in Ontario held a professional training session in November 2023 during which the word was said to imply 'values positions of [male] authority and hierarchy,' and 'nuclear family structure.'
During the event, entitled Dismantling Whiteness at W-O: Words Matter, it claimed the word 'asks for obedience' with 'no room for questions or criticism,' and insinuates an 'expectation to prioritize family's needs and wants; sacrificing personal boundaries,' Juno News reported.
The session went on to discuss the 'concept of whiteness' which 'allows white supremacy to flourish.'
The Board, however, bizarrely defended the training in a statement this month - almost two years after the event - and said that the presentation had been taken out of context.
'The excerpts shared were part of a larger professional development session designed to deepen understanding around language, systemic bias, and how we can work together to ensure all students and families feel seen, respected and included,' a statement said.
Maedith Radlein, chair of the Waterloo Region District School Board, told CBC K-W's The Morning Edition that the board had since received many messages of concern regarding reports of the training session.
'That screenshot was interpreted to mean that what was being said was that we are against family. That screenshot was, in fact, part of a larger presentation that was a discussion about language,' she said.
'[People] are, of course, very upset because if that was indeed a message it would be something to be very concerned about.
'I would like to unequivocally state that that is not our message. We value families and we work with them every day as we seek to help their students achieve and enjoy their school experience.'
The statement said the information in the presentation was 'developed and informed by' Canada's Anti-Racism Strategy, the Ministry of Education's Anti-Black Racism Strategy, and the Ontario College of Teacher's Professional Advisory on Anti-Black Racism.
It furthered that the training sessions explored how differently public institutions can be experienced by different communities, and 'how educators an be thoughtful and inclusive in their communication.'
'Our continued learning and professional development is also informed by the Ontario Human Right's Commission's Tackling anti-Black racism and discrimination in education report,' the release said.
The report referenced by the board, Dreams Delayed: Addressing Systemic Anti-Black Racism and Discrimination in Ontario's Public Education System, detailed the role that public educational institutions can play in dismantling and correcting harmful practices, specifically for people of color within their communities.
A source told the outlet: 'Teachers just want to get on with their job of teaching. Ideology—if you will—is just something many teachers acknowledge as being present. They just want to get on with their jobs.'
Rebel News editor Tamara Ugolini said, in a video posted about the training: 'Putting a wedge between children and their families, and teaching people that that family unit, your social safety net, which lies inherently in a strong family unit, is harmful and racist is absolutely absurd.'
'When someone's telling you that the term 'family' is rooted in white supremacy and to dismantle the family unit because it's rooted in patriarchy, you can tell them where to go,' Ugolini added.
The board's defensive stance on the training session stirred outrage online, as users also condemned their vilification of the word.
One said: 'That is OFFENSIVE to the highest degree!!!! 'Family' is in no way harmful!! There are many types of families, but Family is the most important thing in our society!!!!!'
'I wouldn't even put it as high as ideology. It's destruction of the building block of society,' another wrote.
'Family is a unit fundamental to societies across religious systems and regions. Why is Canada destroying ALL values?'
Another commented: 'Calling 'family' harmful & rooted in white supremacy is troubling. Family is a core value in cultures worldwide, including Hinduism, part of one of the world's oldest civilizations. Why teach kids to question something so universally meaningful? This framing risks erasing cultural wisdom. What's the end goal here?'
The Waterloo Region District School Board did not immediately respond to request for comment.
The board further defended their position and said: 'WRDSB is committed to a quality public education system and to continuing the work of building a school district that centres student achievement, well-being and creating a sense of belonging in partnership with students and their parents, caregivers and families,' the statement furthered.
'We are committed to transparent, respectful dialogue and are always available to answer questions or discuss concerns.'
