We’ve created this resource section to help you find documents, websites, and other materials you may find useful. This page is broken down into four (4) broad categories: labour resources, legislations, UofT policies, and classroom resources. You will also see these documents referred to throughout our website. Know of a resource that we’ve missed? Send us an email and we’ll work to get it up!
Community Resources
We often face racism as individuals, in interpersonal settings. This can make it seem like racism is something that we need fight as individuals, in isolated moments. The reality is that while racism can often manifest itself on the individual level, it is rooted in institutional and systemic contexts. The best way to fight racism has always been to get organized. It is important to know that you are not alone and there are many people fighting against racism on campus, in your union and in the community.
We’ve created this list of groups in the City that fight against racism to better help you navigate support channels.
Direction action is an important aspect of fighting back against racism. In light of recent events protesting the death of George Floyd, a group of activists have created a resource for anyone needing assistance before, during, or after a protest.
BLM is a platform upon which Black communities across Canada can actively dismantle all forms of anti-Black racism, liberate Blackness, support Black healing, affirm Black existence, and create freedom to love and self-determine. We work to forge critical connections and to work in solidarity with Black communities, Black-centric networks, solidarity movements, and allies in order to to dismantle all forms of state-sanctioned oppression, violence, and brutality committed against African, Caribbean, and Black cis, queer, trans, and disabled populations
https://blacklivesmatter.ca/A list of mental health resources available to our Black Communities in Toronto. This list was originally made available through the Daily Hive.
Labour Resources
The Collective Agreements for each of the five (5) units at CUPE 3902 have language dealing with discrimination and harassment. To view the various Agreements, visit the Local’s Resources page, found here.
At the National level of CUPE, the National Rainbow Committee and National Aboriginal Council work with staff and Executive Officers on issues of racism and equity.
In addition to pages dedicated to the work of these two committees, CUPE also maintains a page on their work around Racial Equity as well as Aboriginal Issues and Research.
At the provincial level within CUPE, three committees undertake work surrounding issues of racism and equity within CUPE Ontario. These committees include the Racial Justice Committee, the Aboriginal Council, and the larger Human Rights Committee (consisting of one representative from each of CUPE Ontario’s equity committees).
In addition to the sitting on the above-named committees, the Chair of each committee also has a seat on the Division’s Executive Board. As well as the committees noted above, the Women’s Committee at CUPE Ontario ensures a seat is reserved for a racialized woman, as well as an Aboriginal woman.
Info on resources available at the OFL coming soon!
Legislation
At the provincial level, the Ontario Human Rights Code governs the rights of individuals to be free of discrimination on prescribed grounds at the provincial level, dealing mainly with services rendered by a private entity. The text of the Human Rights Code may be found here.
The Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) is responsible for defending and promoting the rights of Ontarians. The Commission is led by a Chief Commissioner and regularly publishes documents relating to rights under the Code. You may be interested in the OHRC’s material around race, as well as employment.
The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, passed in 1982, protects the basic rights of individuals in Canada. The document can be found here. A more detailed Guide on the Charter can be found on this website.
Health and Safety in the workplace is important for all of us. Those of us who face racism in the workplace know of the health and safety dangers it can lead to. For more information on the Occupational Health and Safety Act in Ontario, you can find a copy of the Act here. Need some assistance sussing out everything you’re reading in the Act? Check out a guide to the Occupational Health and Safety Act available online!
UofT Policies
The University of Toronto has drafted a Statement on Prohibited Discrimination and Discriminatory Harassment, as well as document outlining guidelines for employees with concerns, which may be found here.
The University of Toronto maintains a number of policies, documents, and guides meant to better inform students and govern their time studying and taking part in campus life at the University. Some of these important documents include the Student Code of Conduct, Students’ Rights and Responsibilities, and the University’s Statement on Human Rights. Please have a look at these resources!
The University maintains both a Guideline on Civil Conduct as well as an Employment Equity Policy that, together with the institution’s Employment Equity Survey form the backbone of the University’s policies governing conduct in the workplace around issues of equity and discrimination.
The University has its own Statement on Equity, Diversity, and Excellence. On campus, the Anti-Racism & Cultural Diversity Office (ARCDO) has a mandate to ensure this statement is enforced and reflected on our campus. ARCDO has three main priorities on campus: policies, programs, and providing assistance. To learn more about ARCDO and the work they do on campus, you can visit their website here.
Classroom Resources
It happens all too often. You’re teaching a class, lab, or tutorial, and a student makes a pretty inappropriate comment that targets someone on identifiable grounds. Use this useful resource, created by one of our members, to better navigate this type of situation.
If you have, or believe you may have, experienced or witnessed workplace racism, it is essential that you document everything, whether you intend to pursue the matter or not. To this end, we have created a useful checklist and fillable form. We encourage you to use these useful resources, following each step on the checklist carefully.
On Black disabled activism:
- Syrus Marcus Ware on ‘black crip magic’
- Robyn Maynard on the death of Abdirahman Abdi
- A syllabus, compiled by Vilissa Thompson exploring the experiences of Black, disabled women
- A newspaper clipping from 1977, describing disability rights protests that were supported by the Black Panther Party:
Resources for Fighting Anti-Black Racism
This document is intended to serve as a resource to white people and parents to deepen our anti-racism work. If you haven’t engaged in anti-racism work in the past, start now. Feel free to circulate this document on social media and with your friends, family, and colleagues.
Thank you for Black Lives Matter Toronto for circulating this valuable resource.
This document provides resources in regards to the current ongoing protests in light of the murder of George Floyd and continued anti-blackness and police brutality. This is an open resource and can be added to.
The Canadian Federation of Students has put together a useful toolkit to help folks looking to combat racism on their campuses and in their communities.
Groups or individuals with BLM protest videos can visit this Twitter account for support with captioning and transcription for their video(s).