October 29, 2020
It is with great hurt in our hearts that we are presented with fundamentally opposed views in the discussion about the n-word on campus.
First and foremost - your student association, composed of BIPOC students and their allies, stand in solidarity with the Black community in denouncing the use of the n-word by professors, students, and staff at the university. The DSA stands in unwavering solidarity with UOSU and Black-led student groups on campus, such as the Black Law Students’ Association, the Black Student Leaders Association, the Association of Black Aspiring Physicians, Black Medical Students’ Associations, AfriqCan and all the Black leaders and learners who represent the strength and excellence of the Black community on campus.
There are students, our colleagues, our friends, and our community, listening to a debate on whether or not their dignity should be respected in the classroom. This is absolutely unacceptable.
This is not an appeal for reflection and calm at this time: this is an appeal to uphold the fundamental dignity owed to our Black community.
We call upon our network, particularly our non-Black students, faculty, and community, to learn why the use of the n-word may be an issue that reaches beyond the concepts of academic freedom; why the conversation itself is a threat to the safety and dignity of our Black community, and what (y)our responsibilities as an ally might be. To compliment (y)our learning journey, we have attached a few resources that may be helpful:
We would also like to invite our students to bring any feedback or action items to:
Resources for the Black community:
Forever in solidarity.
It is with great hurt in our hearts that we are presented with fundamentally opposed views in the discussion about the n-word on campus.
First and foremost - your student association, composed of BIPOC students and their allies, stand in solidarity with the Black community in denouncing the use of the n-word by professors, students, and staff at the university. The DSA stands in unwavering solidarity with UOSU and Black-led student groups on campus, such as the Black Law Students’ Association, the Black Student Leaders Association, the Association of Black Aspiring Physicians, Black Medical Students’ Associations, AfriqCan and all the Black leaders and learners who represent the strength and excellence of the Black community on campus.
There are students, our colleagues, our friends, and our community, listening to a debate on whether or not their dignity should be respected in the classroom. This is absolutely unacceptable.
This is not an appeal for reflection and calm at this time: this is an appeal to uphold the fundamental dignity owed to our Black community.
We call upon our network, particularly our non-Black students, faculty, and community, to learn why the use of the n-word may be an issue that reaches beyond the concepts of academic freedom; why the conversation itself is a threat to the safety and dignity of our Black community, and what (y)our responsibilities as an ally might be. To compliment (y)our learning journey, we have attached a few resources that may be helpful:
- Essay: To be Black at the University of Ottawa by Jason Seguya (https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jasonseguya_my-piece-to-be-black-at-the-university-of-activity-6724482591258398720-9cE2/)
- Article: Disarming Racial Microaggressions: Microintervention Strategies for Targets, White Allies, and Bystanders by Sue et al.: https://engineering.purdue.edu/Engr/People/faculty-retention-success/Files/Racial-Microaggressions.pdf
- Video: How to be an anti-racist (conversation between Jemele Hill and Ibram X. Kendi, from the Aspen Institute) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzuOlyyQlug&ab_channel=TheAspenInstitute
- Video: How to overcome our biases? Walk boldly toward them. Ted talk by Verna Myers: https://www.ted.com/talks/verna_myers_how_to_overcome_our_biases_walk_boldly_toward_them/up-next
- Article: Non-Black People of Colour Need to Start Having Conversations About the Anti-Blackness in Our Communities by Sharon Park: https://www.dosomething.org/us/articles/our-role-as-non-black-people-of-color-in-disrupting-racism
- List: Educate Yourself (Black Lives Matter Cardd): https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/#educate
- Web: Being Anti-Racist https://nmaahc.si.edu/learn/talking-about-race/topics/being-antiracist
We would also like to invite our students to bring any feedback or action items to:
- The DVM committee (https://www.facebook.com/groups/2847653018803612)
- The BIPOC Caucus (please email Natasha at president@aedsa.ca to be added to the mailing list)
- Or directly to Natasha at president@aedsa.ca or Amanda at equity@aedsa.ca
Resources for the Black community:
- Black Emotional And Mental Health (BEAM) toolkits and resources: https://www.beam.community/tool-kits-education
- Therapy for Black Girls https://therapyforblackgirls.com/
- Therapy for Black Men https://therapyforblackmen.org/
- Black Mental Health Visibility (account on Instagram) https://www.instagram.com/blackmentalhealthvisibility/
Forever in solidarity.
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due to covid-19, WE HAVE TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED OUR IN-PERSON OFFICE HOURS. iNFORMAITON ABOUT OUR VIRTUAL OFFICE HOURS CAN BE FOUND ON THE HOME PAGE. you can find more information here.
for the most up-to-date information, visit the province of ontario's covid-19 latest updates.
About the DSA
The DSA represents all undergraduate students enrolled in the International Development and Globalization program at the University of Ottawa. The DSA is made up of an executive of students who run DVM-related social, philanthropic, activist and academic events while engaging its students with the larger DVM community. The DSA recognizes that the students we represent are an extremely diverse population with interests ranging from economics, politics, business to health sciences, women's studies, anthropology and more.
The DSA promotes the interests of these students before different bodies such as the Faculty of Social Sciences and the School of International Development and Global Studies.
The DSA provides many opportunities for DVM students to explore their interests in development. For example, the DVM Committee is a student club underneath the DSA that allows students to learn and discuss current issues in development. In the past the DVM Committee has hosted Global Gossip, international dinners and documentary screenings. In addition, students can register or volunteer for International Development week (IDW). IDW is a week-long series of events followed by a conference filled with keynote speakers, panels and workshops. With the DSA's first year as an independent student association DVM students can look forward to more events like these!
The DSA promotes the interests of these students before different bodies such as the Faculty of Social Sciences and the School of International Development and Global Studies.
The DSA provides many opportunities for DVM students to explore their interests in development. For example, the DVM Committee is a student club underneath the DSA that allows students to learn and discuss current issues in development. In the past the DVM Committee has hosted Global Gossip, international dinners and documentary screenings. In addition, students can register or volunteer for International Development week (IDW). IDW is a week-long series of events followed by a conference filled with keynote speakers, panels and workshops. With the DSA's first year as an independent student association DVM students can look forward to more events like these!
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