OUT Week 2020

By Gabrielle Bonifacio, Communications Assistant

With each coming year, we aspire to celebrate the achievements and contributions of Black Canadians while also gaining a wider understanding of the parts of history that have been erased.

Though it is now well-established that February is Black History Month, BHM was only officially recognized in Canada when the Honourable Jean Augustine, who was the first Black woman elected to Parliament, introduced the motion in 1995.

As Aisha Harris so astutely put it in her piece, “Let’s Fix Black History Month”, this is also an important time for us to “confront past and present injustices” and recognize the presence of anti-Blackness today to create a truly equitable and inclusive future.

This February, observe the month by channeling your inner bookworm, attending an event, or chiming in online using #blackhistorymonth.

Head out to an event

UBC Okanagan

• Afro-hair Workshop
  • ART 112
• Black History Month Info Booth
  • Library Foyer
• Black Activism in Education and Community
  • UNC 200
• Afro-Caribbean Spin Class
  • UBCO Gym
• Ubuntu Chat (with IPS)
  • More details to come.
• Taste of Africa & the Caribbean
  • FIPKE Foyer
• ACSC Annual Legacy Gala
  • More details to come.

Check out other events organized by UBCO students.

Good reads

With a rich selection of classic and contemporary, poetry and prose books written by celebrated Black authors available in store or at your local library, there are countless options that are sure to satisfy every kind of reader. Here are a few gems that you should definitely add to your TBR pile.

• The Source of Self-Regard by Toni Morrison
• Reproduction by Ian Williams
• An American Marriage by Tayari Jones
• Becoming by Michelle Obama
• I’ve Been Meaning to Tell You by David Chariandy
• Let Me Hear a Rhyme by Tiffany D. Jackson
• The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin
• With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevado
• Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
• Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds
• The Autobiography of Malcolm X by Malcolm X

For Sexual Assault Awareness Month 2020, the Equity & Inclusion Office hosted a participatory workshop on January 16th called the “Come Back Class.”

Students and staff took turns coming up with clever comebacks to common sexist micro-aggressions. Comebacks to everyday comments such as “You throw like a girl!” or “Why are you so emotional all the time?” ranged from simply questioning the remark: “What do you mean by that?” to witty words like: “Why yes, I do throw like a girl, and? … am I supposed to be insulted by your patriarchal and essentialist assumption?” Other responses ranged from using humour and fact checking, to turning the comment back on the sender.

“It was a necessary experience as the scenarios discussed are dealt with on a daily basis. If available again, people should definitely attend”, said one student participant. “Sharing stories and learning through laughter was a great way to prepare for those moments when you usually feel speechless.”

Student groups and the Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Office are hosting several more events for SAAM, check out the event schedule.