Why hugging out racism in education just won't cut it | Laura Mae Lindo | TEDxKitchenerED

We spend an awful lot of time responding to racism with lines like "racism isn't welcome here" but less time asking ourselves what resources are needed to challenge racism in our schools and elsewhere. With growing examples of a resurgence of overt racism in schools, Laura Mae Lindo highlights the actions that we really need to take to challenge racism. With black students continually hearing use of the N-word and Muslim students being labelled as terrorists, it’s time to talk about the actions that racialized students and educators need to see so that they know that systemic racism is being tackled in our educational systems and beyond.
Laura Mae Lindo, Member of Provincial Parliament for Kitchener Centre, is a respected activist and educator who holds both a Masters and PhD in Education. Her commitment to building inclusive communities both within and outside of educational environments is grounded in her knowledge of how to put anti-oppression theories into practice. Laura Mae is a knowledgeable advocate for the rights of women and girls, a respected ally to marginalized community members, and, most importantly, a courageous public speaker on issues often left unaddressed in the mainstream. Laura Mae is the Official Opposition Critic for Anti-Racism, and Citizenship and Immigration. The Leader of the Official Opposition recently appointed her as Chair of Official Opposition’s first Black Caucus, to collaborate with Black communities and allies to address systemic anti-Black racism in Ontario Laura Mae Lindo, Member of Provincial Parliament for Kitchener Centre, is a respected activist and educator who holds both a Masters and PhD in Education. Her commitment to building inclusive communities both within and outside of educational environments is grounded in her knowledge of how to put anti-oppression theories into practice. Laura Mae is a knowledgeable advocate for the rights of women and girls, a respected ally to marginalized community members, and, most importantly, a courageous public speaker on issues often left unaddressed in the mainstream. Laura Mae is the Official Opposition Critic for Anti-Racism, and Citizenship and Immigration. The Leader of the Official Opposition recently appointed her as Chair of Official Opposition’s first Black Caucus, to collaborate with Black communities and allies to address systemic anti-Black racism in Ontario. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

[@keylakreations4159]

It really is time to start looking at what meaningful changes need to happen- we are past the time of simply acknowledging racism

[@fridaymanly]

At 0:52 she is singing an ancient West African song dedicated to the beautiful Orishas (deity) named "Obatala" , The deity of Peace and Wisdom 🕊️🕊️🕊️🕊️🕊️🕊️🕊️🕊️

[@johnm8078]

She needs to debate Jordan Peterson. Equity is communism. Equality is freedom and happiness.

[@richmrstonestone]

That would go badly for her lol

[@raphkisento]

yeah i get really angry when people say "but i dont see colour!" ffs. we all see colour. maybe in different ways. but if we aren't being truthful, if we aren't holding those accountable for the systems that are consistently degrading others, we are just as bad.

[@julie-chan]

Laura Mae Lindo... Everything about this talk is spot on. Sharing. Thank you!!!

[@neilhollands8448]

What's needed is a few clearly-written, easily grasped, government sanctioned bullet points that clearly explain the tenets of CRT. Because as it stands CRT is an amorphous entity that ranges from generally accepted ideas, such as people shouldn't be racists, to more radical ideas such as all interactions must be viewed through the lens of race. If we are to accept a new ideology, we need to both define and agree upon what it is. As it stands today, CRT has no set, agreed upon definition making it unworkable as a widely accepted ideology.

[@oaknetwork2240]

First thing is to disarm the energy of CRT setting the intentions of healing and repairing instead of it being ccritical of races. When the focus is to be critical there isn't the intention to heal.

[@skullshapedbox]

pretty simple definition of what CRT is. a simple Google search could give you the answers you need. " Critical race theory is an interdisciplinary academic field devoted to analysing how laws, social and political movements, and media shape, and are shaped by, social conceptions of race and ethnicity. CRT also considers racism to be systemic in various laws and rules, and not only based on individuals' prejudices."

[@skullshapedbox]

Just because you don't agree with the definition doesn't mean it's "not agreed upon" lol how could schools teach about it if there is "no set definition"? Don't be so intellectually lazy. Pls.

[@jeansammy]

When I was studying Early Childhood Education, one of our assignments was to talk about 3 different stereotypes and prejudice we have been conditioned with and to explain why, if such prejudices could be put to any person and what we could do to unlearn our conditioning. It blew my mind.

[@robertaherron]

This is an intense talk, and very worth the watch and attention.

[@nadyazt]

What a sobering experience on so many fronts. I'm here for it though. Sharing right away.

[@danahasler9018]

The fact that anyone thought "hugging it out" might be a solution.

[@live_juicy_life]

Awesome and high-informative talk! So happy to read there are so many actions and suggestions that each educator and individual can do. I wish there would be a transcript of it. I'm making now an anti-racism film for my Valley Community College in Los Angeles, CA (Production: July-August 20203) and I'm researching for the final statistic research title that talks about how 'racism', 'violence', 'hate', 'and discrimination' are connected and what we as a society can do about it. If anyone reads this comment please post any useful links below. Thank you and much appreciated this work.

[@pennyyeomans4115]

I don't believe in racism but I do believe in haters. I taught my kids to live and let live. They do. End of discussion.

[@dtnamastertech1911]

Couldnt find what rewind select is either...I did google that and was more confused after. :)

[@dtnamastertech1911]

nevermind. i was watching this at 2x speed with Closed Captions and it makes more sense now.

[@andrehuestan]

I grew up thinking racism had to get better because I didn't think it could get worse. I hate to think of the ways it might affect people who may already be having difficulty in a learning environment 💔

[@PHlophe]

Andy what you actually meant was *people whose lives are made difficult in a learning environment*

[@dtnamastertech1911]

Takin notes, Anyone care to elaborate on ''I'd really like for people to understand critical race theory as part of professional development sessions." Not fimilar with critical race theory or professional development sessions. Maybe ill just come back to this when I get some more info, but i would appreciate the input.

[@infotrad]

She's a narcissistic, borderline troublemaker riding on the wave of White guilt.

[@Anilegna250845]

@@infotrad You're just a sour puss that doesn't want to understand. Why watch the video if its not for you ? 🤔

[@james9056]

@@Anilegna250845 look into James Lindsay, if you’d like to hear a critique of CRT. I am not saying I’m against racism, but this does not seem to be the effective route it displays itself as. Or if you’d like an easy listen Jordan Peterson put a podcast out with him on. These are people with higher degrees than her, not sure if that’s a valid reason for denouncing her, but I’m saying that they might just be onto something

[@james9056]

James Lindsay

[@begrace7196]

I have to check my prejudice every day. That's what we need to be teaching in schools - we are conditioned, we have prejudice, talking about those thoughts and unlearning them is how we move forward.

[@ethangreen5416]

Explain how that does anything but divide people?

[@shadowki1647]

The bottom line and managing time is key.

[@tinycockcroft]

What a brilliant speaker you are Laura! This talk is so poignant.

[@Dispondent]

Such oppression stood in the way of your many opportunities and experiences.

[@gabehileski]

12:25 when she acknowledged the laugh- the talk is so heavy and clearly everyone was so engaged, yet she is still connected and communicating WITH the room. She is a powerful speaker.

[@dtnamastertech1911]

Also, Provincial Parliament. I have to find these people, not just for a photo op.

[@joshuak2810]

If schools are going to teach about racism and slavery in schools, they should teach it on a FULL level… Teach how Africans enslaved Europeans along with other Africans. How English enslaved Irish, etc.

[@randomuser3853]

There is a huge difference between indentured servitude and slavery. There is also different types of slavery and eras of slavery. The slavery you are referring to is chattel slavery which is universally agreed upon by historians as the worst of its kind. American slavery is especially cruel because of effects and how people actually fought and died to try a keep it. Let’s not also forget about the years of segregation and Jim Crow. And we still have people who proudly wave the flag of people who wanted to keep slavery going.

[@raulemstrada]

Smart talk.

[@lukasmiller486]

I’d like to see George Ippolito or Jacob Reaume debate her.

[@jacquelinehogan3313]

Man she's so right about the root cause never being addressed. I remember in primary school having to do a speech about a Jewish holiday (I was the only Jewish student in my school), and finding out later that a kid in my class had been saying some incredibly messed up things while I was doing it and when it escalated all that happened was him writing me a letter to apologise, but I don't remember anyone educating him about why the things he was saying were so heinous. Utter BS.

[@PHlophe]

Jacqueline, he apologized to you because he understood talking smack about Jewishness actually has real life consequences in schools and on the job whereas anti Blackness is completely negotiable. This is the key difference and believe me we notice the difference no matter how hard people try to gaslight us into thinking otherwise.

[@majorburns4550]

so much falling on defensive ears instead of being open listeners and making actual change... Thank you for this very real talk Laura

[@rainithacker]

So true, such a shame that people would rather take something personally and try to deny their part in it instead of listening to the people it's affecting and taking their word for it

[@isabelledanska]

Well hey! This is incredible informative. Sharing this for sure! Thank you Laura!!

[@ariadne1428]

There are so many systems that need to be brought down within our nation. So much bias. There are entire sections of community that have no idea just how narrow minded they truly are. I appreciate all that you are doing Laura. I will be sharing this right away.

[@Dodgevair]

Which core value encouraged A&M to chose a football team stadium entrance song laced with profanities including racial slurs?

[@verymarysalisbury]

Totally not meaning to minimise in any way but her earrings! Amazing!!

[@PHlophe]

Marie, girl i know, cute right ?

[@MaryLopez-bv7ks]

Her necklace is cute too

[@josephsmith5032]

America will near change.

[@micdaskel3313]

TRUTH!!!!

[@suebakernottly]

yep!

[@paolobenedicti1319]

NO RACISM: COLOUR/ETHNICITY MUST NOT COUNT. CRT: COLOURS IS THE MAIN PARAMETER. SO THEN , BEYOND ANY DOUBT, CRT = REAL RACISM

[@angelicamollo103]

Let’s talk about a colorless curriculum and focus on the future!!!

[@randomuser3853]

We don’t live in a colorless world, that’s not reality. It’s very easy for some to say they are color blind, a lot of people don’t have that privilege.

[@noahshantlinger7292]

Can you pinpoint the spot where you sense of grievance might end? It could help everyone arrive at a point of harmony.

[@HowardRoark-jo7ik]

This is not a question of race. It is a question of ideology. Conservative people believe in equal opportunity while liberals demand equal outcomes. If a liberal sees that some people are doing better than others, that in itself is proof of an unfair system. What other explanation could there be?

[@randomuser3853]

No one is saying they want equality of outcome. The problem is conservatives think the current system is providing equal opportunity, it’s not.

[@locdinwithzaza]

@@randomuser3853the irony of your comment is hilarious

[@whatsonhermindblog123]

I’m really sick and tired of hearing people use the n word in the Bay Area - everywhere really - but here it seems rampant

[@brodyalexandra]

This is such an important topic to be addressing, hopefully this is seen by many.

[@1martinarose1]

She was just re-elected, you go girl!

[@xxxzachyd960]

Came for the explanation on systemic racism Stayed for the bars hit at 0:59

[@jacetorence]

This is a really good talk... I found myself looking past any pre-conceived thoughts of what I think is the right thing to do in the situations she's talking about, because her point is coming across - wyt people shouldn't get to decide how to deal with racism anymore

[@freddrog4689]

"white people shouldnt get to decide how to deal with racism anymore" do you realize how messed up that is? are you going to imprison us and force us to deal with it a "non-white" way? you people are openly showing yourselves to be our enemy then act like were bad for not wanting you around. get bent

[@ma-T-oxic]

Powerful. She got my vote!

[@mariss.317]

Poor victim of being received into a more favorable condition than she fled. People, wake up

[@jkephart4624]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@harrydecker3979]

Thought this would be a "WOKE" talk, but had substance.

[@PHlophe]

Decks, you came with with a hard wired bias . that is the problem

[@hufinnpuff3068]

Why victim mentality can be used as a job title.

[@akashmuraleedharan]

Heavy talk and even heavier comments. There is a lot to take in here.

[@dtnamastertech1911]

Finally, looking into indigenous led curriculum integrated into the school. I should point out my kids are 1st and 3rd grade and doing at home learning... I'm white and wanna do more for my fellow humans.

[@nicholasb.247]

Amazing.

[@woowoo5853]

Every single day these children go to school and hear the N-word! Powerful talk.

[@FiveJiggawatts]

What's the n-word? Non-existent father?

[@AM-ry8is]

from members of their same racial group primarily

[@woowoo5853]

@@AM-ry8is Not true.

[@AM-ry8is]

@@woowoo5853 definitely is. you keep that word in common parlance. not white people. can't have it both ways.

[@woowoo5853]

@@AM-ry8is Nope. Not true. Everyone needs to stop using it - however - like most ethnic/racial slang - who & how it is used determines the meaning.

[@clairenortcliff2324]

Thank you.

[@Swiim]

You’re welcome

[@serenitymassagedayspa]

Lifting your voice.

[@james9056]

Always talks in an abstract manner.. showing if it sounds good it must be good..