Supports and Resources Addressing Anti-Black Racism

Over the weekend, I was gathered with President Joy Johnson, Dr. June Francis, members of the Black Caucus and university leaders from across Canada to discuss taking the first steps to advance the Scarborough Charter on Anti-Black Racism and Black Inclusion in Canadian Higher Education to meaningful concrete action.

Towards the end of the forum, on the afternoon of May 14, which included members of the SFU Black Caucus hosting panels, we learned that 10 people were killed and 3 injured in an anti-Black shooting at a supermarket in Buffalo, New York.

Hate crimes like this remind us of both the urgency with which we must undertake this work, and of the enormous amount of progress required to create the conditions for Black flourishing in our communities.

Black flourishing requires Black healing. To that end, the EDI office is working with SFU’s Black Caucus to host space for Black communities at SFU to come together, process, heal and take steps toward flourishing. Please stay tuned for details to come from the Black Caucus for the Black community at SFU.

I am grieving with all those impacted by this needless loss of life.

I also want to acknowledge the Taiwanese members of our community who are feeling the impact of a targeted shooting in California on Sunday. As we celebrate Asian Heritage Month, we must also combat anti-Asian racism that persists locally and abroad. 

Help is available for those who need support, as follows:

Identity-Based Supports for Students

• Drop-in (virtually or in-person) to chat with an Access Case Manager – they can meet with you one-on-one and talk about the options available to you in Health and Counselling Services, including specific options for Black and Asian community members.
• Health and Counselling Services offers support options specific for Black and Asian students, including booked appointments with culturally-relevant counsellors.
• My SSP is available as an additional mental health support to SFU students. Crisis support with a counsellor is available 24/7 across various timezones, so you can connect whether you’re here at SFU or out of the country. Students can request to schedule an appointment with a culturally-relevant counsellor.
• The Multifaith Centre offers emotional and/ or spiritual one on one Chaplain support as well as assistance connecting with your faith community.
• A variety of Black community resources and support options are available at SFU and in the broader community.
• You may also choose to connect with some of the additional student support options available at SFU or through the SFSS. 

Supports and Resources for Faculty and Staff

• Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP): the SFU Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) provides confidential, professional assistance to help SFU employees and their family members resolve problems that affect your personal and work lives.
• Critical Incident Support: A Critical Incident (or Significant Event) is a traumatic event that creates a strong emotional reaction. This reaction may interfere with an individual’s ability to manage normal day-to-day activities or have a large negative impact on the people involved or community members that have in some way been involved.
• Resources and calls to action against anti-Black racism and violence: This list of resources and calls to action is intended to be a starting point for anyone looking to begin incorporating anti-racist activism into daily life.

In addition the EDI office is here to support. Please do not hesitate to reach out: edi@sfu.ca.