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Sociology students partner with Correctional Services Canada for Black History Month symposium

21 Mar 2018

CSC_SocClassIn February, 痳豆TV视频 students partnered with Correctional Services Canada (CSC) to put on a symposium for Black History Month. The event, held in Th茅芒tre L鈥橢scaouette in Moncton, was a diversity and inclusion initiative for CSC employees and the community. The students participated in the event as part of an experiential learning activity.

CSC鈥檚 Employment Equity and Diversity Committee worked with students from Cheryl Veinotte-Mackey鈥檚 Cultural Competencies course. The event included guest speakers; watching and discussing the documentary 13th, which explores racism in the US prison system; and a panel discussion on ways to raise awareness about the experiences of racialized communities with the criminal justice system.

鈥淚t was a pleasure to co-ordinate with Jill Esson of CSC for this event. Jill really involved me in the planning process and together we found as many opportunities as possible for the students to have meaningful opportunities for engagement,鈥 says Veinotte-Mackey. 鈥淗er commitment to diversity and inclusion is apparent and she served as a strong role model for our students.鈥

Psychology and sociology student Gultaj Sangha says hearing real-life experiences from CSC staff gave the students a new perspective.

鈥淎s students we have a far more ideological and optimistic view on how positive change can be enacted, in contrast to the difficulties associated with systemic change and bureaucratic hindrances that actually changing the world would entail,鈥 says Sangha.

Dr. Erin Steuter, Mount Allison sociology department head, says this kind of experiential learning helps students see best practices for diversity and inclusion, as well as how they can show leadership in bringing forward these ideas in this type of setting.

鈥淭he students were more confident contributing to the discussions because they had practiced techniques on how to constructively engage in conversations about racism and inequality, which many people find difficult,鈥 says Steuter.

The day-long event also included a panel discussion with a teacher, a social worker, two people who run a program for youth at risk in Halifax, NS, and Mount Allison student Jamal McCarthy-Barnett.

鈥淛amal talked about his lived experience growing up as a teen in Brampton, Ontario,鈥 says Veinotte-Mackay. 鈥淗e remembers at six years old that his mother had 鈥榯he talk鈥 with him about being very careful in interactions with the police.鈥

McCarthy-Barnett says there is great value in activities like the symposium.

鈥淏ringing topics like this into the light and creating an environment where black racism can be spoken about without people resisting the 鈥榰ncomfortable鈥 topic is a difficult goal,鈥 he says. 鈥淗olding events like these are the little chips that will help us achieve these goals and propel us to change.鈥

Many of the students are in their fourth year of study and the experience gave them insight into skills they will be able to draw on in the future.

鈥淭his experience was one that really put together why sociology and this degree matters. For me, this event also really showed me the efforts being put forth by many groups to help eradicate issues surrounding racism in Canada,鈥 says sociology student Matt Boardman.
 

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