We are writing to you as concerned parents and neighbours about the serious incident of anti-Black racism that took place in your school.

At 9:30am on October 29, 2021, a child in your high school, Parkdale Collegiate Institute (PCI) took 11 pictures (enclosed) of his grade 9 teacher in blackface.  He was understandably upset.  Other children were understandably upset.  When they asked the teacher what he was dressed up as, the teacher stated that he didn’t have an idea for his Halloween costume, so he decided to paint his face black.

Superintendent Donsky, how is it possible for this to happen under your watch?  Incidents of racism and anti-Black racism within the Toronto District School Board are well documented.  Just this year, the Board received data from its human rights office that showed reports of anti-Black racism exceed all other hate incidents documented in the past year, in February.  In March, the TDSB committed to create welcoming schools and classrooms free of discrimination when the received their first ever Annual Human Rights Report.  In June, the TDSB launched the Black School of Excellence to combat what it has stated is ‘deeply entrenched’ anti-Black Racism.

This is not a one-time incident.  As parents, many of us have witnessed overt and micro racial aggressions toward our children.  This incident, however, is severe, shocking and concerning.

It concerns us that with all despite the data your organization has collected and commitments that have been made, these incidents can still take place.  How can we be confident that classrooms are safe and inclusive, free of discrimination and anti-Black racism?  How are staff being held to account?

We understand that the teacher was removed from class, told to wash his face and sent home on paid leave pending an investigation.  We commend the Principal for listening to the children who came forward to complain and acting swiftly.

However the protocols are not enough.  It was traumatizing to the children who were in the classroom, and unfair that the responsibility was on them to document with photos and come forward to complain.

We therefore make the following recommendations to ensure safety in our classrooms, but this is by no means an exhaustive list.  The system needs an overhaul and eliminating racism and discriminations in our classrooms must be first priority throughout the TDSB.

Changes we recommend for the TDSB:

-          Zero tolerance policy for hate and racial discrimination.

-          Create safe, supportive and anonymous complaints mechanism that is supportive of students and grounded in principles of anti-oppression so as not to become a ‘snitch line’.

-          Public reporting on complaints of discrimination and racism.

-          Hiring practices that are transparent, equitable and seek to diversify the workforce.  Actively hiring for trauma-informed, strengths-based and anti-oppressive teaching practices and skill sets.

-          Ongoing and frequent professional development in the areas of anti-Black racism, anti-colonialism, anti-oppression and building in accountability through regular and rigorous performance appraisals.