2.12 Co-Host Discussion: Black Lives Matter

TeamWellnessT.O.

In the past few weeks, we have felt more anger, outrage and sadness than perhaps ever before. And that is the problem we want to address today. As two white females, we feel shame and guilt over not leaning into our privilege, and using our voices before. We realized that if we are going to be true allies we need to PUT IN THE WORK ourselves, and speak up using our voice and privilege.

In today's episode we address the actions we have taken so far, and the actions we plan to take as individuals and on this platform, moving forward.

We will also address some learnings around the disparities black communities face when it comes to health.

First, we define and talk through a few definitions that will be the anchor for our conversation. Then, we chat about the connection between racism and health, resources we have discovered lately and our action plan moving forward. Throughout we will discuss our own personal experiences of white privilege, and other thoughts along the way.

To find all of the resources and links we mention in this episode, please check out the description under the podcast episode itself. Link is in our bio as always.

We realize even though we're learning, we are going to make mistakes along the way, and acknowledge and apologize for any mistakes that have been made previously. Please feel free to reach out to us. We want to keep an open dialogue. This fight isn't over until all humans are treated equally. Keep working team. ✊🏾✊🏼✊🏿✊🏽

RESOURCES:

https://blacklivesmatter.com/

http://blackhealthalliance.ca/

Sociology of Racism Paper (Clair, Matthew, and Jeffrey S. Denis. 2015): https://scholar.harvard.edu/matthewclair/publications/sociology-racism

Cineplex movies, free to rent: https://store.cineplex.com/promo/understandingblackstories

What is White Privilege Article: https://www.tolerance.org/magazine/fall-2018/what-is-white-privilege-really

Anti-Black Racism & Mental Health: https://www.toronto.ca/community-people/get-involved/community/toronto-for-all/anti-black-racism-mental-health/

Map of Toronto - Covid cases & Black Communities: https://globalnews.ca/news/7015522/black-neighbourhoods-toronto-coronavirus-racism/

Article on reallocating police funds in Toronto: https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/what-defunding-the-police-could-look-like-in-canada-s-largest-city-1.4977969#:~:text=In%20Toronto%2C%20the%20police%20service,city%20that%20were%20previously%20defunded

Toronto Mississauga sociology professor we referenced: Akwasi Owusu-Bempah

1619 Pod: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/1619/id1476928106

Code Switch Pod: https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510312/codeswitch

Brene Brown Pod: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bren%C3%A9-with-ibram-x-kendi-on-how-to-be-an-antiracist/id1494350511?i=1000476611079