*I'd like to begin this by acknowledging Briana Green Ince for taking immediate leadership and initiative by creating the first 'Anti-Oppression Course' petition for The University of Guelph*

Wilfrid Laurier University is a school that leads through the motto "Veritas Omnia Vincit" which translates to "Truth Conquers all." This quote resonates now more than ever during these disheartening times of protest for the equal treatment of minorities. Laurier has been rated #1 in student satisfaction for four consecutive years. With this rating no student should be judged or discriminated against while interacting with each other, professors, residence dons, and administrative staff. Wilfrid Laurier has an exceptionally diverse student population which is why an anti-oppression workshop should be mandatory for all first-year students beginning their post-secondary education in September 2020 and onward. We understand a curriculum is a long-term goal to further be discussed. But to start, a workshop during syllabus week before students focus on academics will be effective in providing an early intervention. During the 2019-2020 school year, there was a video that spread between students of Laurier containing the use of a racial slur. This isn't the first of it's kind but hopefully with the creation of an anti-oppression course it will be the LAST. Laurier should lead by example as the catalyst for change for other post-secondary schools in North America. Students should be taught inclusivity, integration, integrity and acceptance of other genders, races, cultures, and religious backgrounds. In addition, students should also be educated on African-Canadian history, systemic racism, power structures, sexism, homophobia, institutionalized racism, and other theoretical frameworks which can be discussed and decided further. Wilfrid Laurier University, just like many other post-secondary institutions, have the responsibility of ensuring a welcoming environment for everyone which starts by educating students on the oppression faced by ALL minority groups.

I want to end this with a quote by Martin Luther King Jr. "There comes a time when silence is betrayal". Lets not be silent anymore, lets speak up and educate ourselves and others, take action, and be informed. Truth conquers all.