ASHCROFT, B.C. — As administrators of School District 74 feel the heat over anti-racism posters, they are receiving support from many students in Ashcroft.
High school students at Desert Sands Community School in Ashcroft are expressing their gratitude to Gold Trail School District Superintendent Teresa Downs.
“When I first saw the poster, I was actually quite happy to see them,” said student Maria Alexis. “Out of all my years of being in schools, I’ve actually experienced racism.
Fellow Desert Sands student Kivea Morgan-Hall added, “Once I realized what it said I was a little bit proud honestly of our school district for being able to put that up and having the confidence to put that up.”
They are posters spread through the hallways of School District 74, meant to recognize the work that needs to be done to end racism.
“We did interviews with students a few years ago. The students clearly articulated the racism and prejudice that they were experiencing both in school and in the community,” said School District 74 Superintendent Teresa Downs. “So that has really supported the work to continue on.”
There are three posters in each school throughout the district. The poster garnering the most attention is one feature Downs that highlights her white privilege.
“The biggest concern that are hearing I think is people’s interpretation of the words ‘white privilege,’” said Downs. “We’re hearing from a lot of people who think my message means that I did not work hard to get here and I should resign. So that’s a message I’m really hoping to address because I absolutely worked hard to become the superintendent but I am mindful that my journey was easier because I am white.”
That sentiment has mainly come from parents and community members — both in Ashcroft and outside the village. The district noted 60 per cent of the students are First Nations and the representation is as high as 95 per cent in some communities, said Downs.
Morgan-Hall, who’s a member of the Bonaparte First Nation, said despite the controversy the posters have created, they should be left up.
“I’ve seen some comments saying ‘it’s making me feel bad to be even white,’” he said. “What you are feeling for that little 10 seconds of that portion of your life where you feel bad to be your ethnicity, that’s what we have felt our whole lives.”
Troy Greenfield, the President of the Gold Trail Teachers’ Association, said the intiative didn’t involve teachers, but they are being dragged into the contentious issue.
“In some of our schools, we’ve been having parent-teacher interviews and some teachers were questioned about the poster by parents and weren’t really sure how to respond,” said Greenfield. “So I’m ensuring that the teachers aren’t taking the brunt of any concerns of parents.”
Greenfield noted the teachers’ association is more than happy to work with the district on anti-racism projects, but would like more warning in the future.
“I don’t think there was a lot of pre-information on the campaign that would help parents and other people understand the concept of white privilege,” he said.
