important misconceptions in order to fully understand the impact of racism on everyone. The first misconception is individualism: the idea that racism is limited to discrete acts of individuals. The second is the racist/non-racist binary: the notion that racism is intentional and carried out only by bad people. By putting these misconceptions aside, we acknowledge that racism is systemic, which means it is entrenched in our institutions and societal structures. Facing that woman in the mirror and acknowledging that I am part of the very systemic oppression I thought I was fighting was only the first step in a new feminist journey which requires humility, vulnerability, and forgiveness. Not every white woman who identifies as a feminist practices white feminism, but only white women benefit from it. Learning how to forgive myself instead of constantly asking my Black, Indigenous, People of Colour (BIPOC), and LGBTQ2S+ friends and colleagues to do this emotional labour enables me to move forward instead of wallowing in useless guilt and resentment. Robin DiAngelo’s concept of white fragility, “the inability of white people to tolerate racial stress, leading them to weaponize their hurt feelings and be indignant and defensive when confronted with racial inequality and injustice,” has no place on this journey. The perennial question must be, “How can I do better?” Trying to strike a balance between stepping up and stepping back is often confusing and difficult. When to speak, when to listen? When to do the work, when to ask for help? When to compete, when to support? Sometimes this involves
figuring out how to be. Practice, mistakes, and renewed commitment are at least part of the answer. As a member of the Status of Women Action Group on the Committee for Action on Social Justice, I have had the opportunity to collaborate with members of the Antiracism and LGBTQ2S+ Action Groups, which has opened a broader spectrum of justice for us to work towards. I am excited to be learning and growing with an expanding group of sisters because the reward for undertaking this work is impactful. I get so much more out of this collaboration than I could have imagined and look forward to spending more time celebrating being an intersectional feminist rather than a white one. I have learned recently that the BC NDP Women’s Rights Committee passed a resolution to change its name to Women and Gender Rights Committee. The BCTF might wish to entertain a similar motion. We choose to be a social justice union, and with that choice comes the responsibility to bring about the changes that make us deserving of that description. Being nice to people of colour is not enough. We sometimes let our good intentions exempt us from deviating from the perceived norm in our actions and practice. Deeply understanding our privileges as white women will enable us to advance awareness and tangible action. Maybe the old patriarchal proverb “man may work from sun to sun, but a woman’s work is never done” could evolve into “educators may work from sun to sun, AND social justice will be done.”
Reflections on the Second Annual Issue Session on Racism By Linda Frank, CASJ Antiracism Action Group and Boundary teacher
D
uring the first week of November 2019, the BCTF hosted its second Issue Session on Racism. Members who identify as people of colour and had attended the first session were invited, as well as 20 new participants. It was wonderful to reconnect with teachers who had participated in the last session and to meet new attendees. Our speaker, Dr. Shauneen Pete, Indigenous Resurgence Coordinator from the Department
of Indigenous Education at the University of Victoria, started the day by providing us with some background about herself. As an Aboriginal student, Dr. Pete experienced a disconnect with the education system; she encountered discrimination and her cultural teachings were ignored. Teachers presumed that she would not amount to anything even though her parents were professionals.
BCTF Social Justice Newsletter, Winter/Spring 2020
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