Untitled poem by Beth Strano
There is no such thing as a “safe space” —
We exist in the real world.
We all carry scars and have caused wounds.
This space
seeks to turn down the volume of the world outside,
and amplify voices that have to fight to be heard elsewhere.
This space will not be perfect.
It will not always be what we wish it to be
But
It will be our space together,
And we will work on it side by side.
This untitled poem by Beth Strano was on each table at the welcome event for the BCTF’s fist annual Anti-Racism Symposium. It helped set the tone for the community that would be created over the next two days.
At the opening event, Elder Roberta Price from the Coast Salish Snuneymuxw and Cowichan Nation welcomed all the attendees with a blessing. She also shared a personal story of the unconditional love she has received from her Elders, matriarchs, teachers, and community members. This unconditional love has guided her work, and her hope for the attendees at the conference was that they too would give and receive unconditional love.
The theme for the conference was “joy as collective action.” Joy was intentionally and carefully woven into all aspects of the conference. Participants shared their joy in a “joy is my resistance” photo booth, and workshops and presenters focused on the way joy is intertwined with anti-racism work.
Each presenter was also asked to share what brings them joy when they introduced themselves. This simple question created a more intimate connection between the audience and the speaker. The things that bring us joy are so often similar: time with family, connecting with nature, meeting friends, and sharing food.
Two members, Terry Ann Webster and Ramona Cruickshank, infused liveliness, laughter, and energy into Friday evening’s dinner as they shared their joy and prompted folks around the room to share what brings them joy. One member answered the prompt saying Terry Ann and Ramona bring them joy by creating a space where community and joy are at the forefront.
Ramona said she didn’t realize how much the room needed the joy she and Terry Ann brought until people shared the impact it had on them.
She called the opportunity to hype up the crowd with a fellow Caribbean educator a gift from Nikitha Fester, Assistant Director of the BCTF Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppression Office, who had a large hand in organizing this symposium.
“The beat and rhythm of the African drum runs through my veins, and I am proud of every attempt to feel free both physically and mentally,” said Ramona. “This is my joy! This is my gift!”
Terry Ann noted that attending the symposium gave her a sense of hope. “The acknowledgment of the devastating impact of racism, including the prominence of anti-Black racism in BC, is a vital step forward. The most rewarding part of this work is seeing people’s awareness grow and knowing that by confronting these deep-rooted issues, we are creating safer, more inclusive spaces for all, especially our students,” said Terry Ann.
Friday evening’s keynote by Elliott Ramsey, curator of the Polygon Gallery, included an acknowledgment of the ways racism shows up in different spaces in our communities.
One of the recent exhibits in the Polygon, titled As We Rise, featured a collection of photography that centred Black people from Atlantic Canada. Ramsey noted that we most often see Black people depicted marching, protesting, playing sports, or being active in photographs. This collection challenges what we’re accustomed to seeing by featuring photos of rest and joy.
“It felt radical to show photos of Black folks relaxing,” said Ramsey.
Ramsey also talked about the ways in which he experiences art in gallery spaces. He noted that he tends to show his emotion when he is moved by a piece as an audible gasp or tears. This expression of emotion is your body telling you to research what moved you, said Ramsey.
However, art is understood through lived experience, and not everyone feels safe in gallery spaces. The Polygon Gallery has created Gallery School to try to change that for some students.
Gallery School is a program where elementary classes host a full week of school at the Polygon Gallery instead of their usual classroom. This allows students to be immersed in the gallery, speak with artists, and draw connections between art and the world around them. Ramsey shared that he hopes this program will allow students to feel safer and more comfortable in gallery spaces so they can experience art more fully going forward.
Feeling safe, whether in gallery spaces, schools, or union spaces, does facilitate deeper and more meaningful learning, but as Beth Strano’s poem from the first night of the symposium reminds us, “There is no such thing as a ‘safe space.’”
What we can do is focus on creating spaces where marginalized voices are heard, where everyone listens with respect and an open mind, and where there is a commitment to learning from and with one another.
It was so inspiring for me to spend time with other BIPOC teachers who are compassionately and actively working with anti-racism in our schools. I felt such a sense of connection and commonality.
– Shyloe Fayad, teacher, Kelowna
The symposium concluded with participants being asked to write their hopes and dreams for public education on a sticky note. Folks shared ideas from employment protections for marginalized workers in the education system, to more supports for hungry students, and more teachers and education assistants.
Trevana Spilchen, BCTF Executive Committee, shared, “I want an education system where it’s not harder to do the job as a marginalized person.”
The BCTF’s Anti-Racism Symposium works to bring us one step closer to Trevana’s dream for public education. Although there is still much work to be done, teachers are leading the way in creating schools that are more equitable and more joyful for their colleagues and students alike.