Talking About Racism is Uncomfortable – And Necessary

Moya McAlister

Since the murder of George Floyd and the emergence of the Black Lives Matter movement there has been a new focus on the development of anti-Black racism training, and education on the impact of racism on our lives, relationships, and beliefs.

Moya McAlister and Siddika Jessa are both creating workshops and safe spaces for conversation and education on race and racism. In this episode, Julie asks them how they manage these (often) uncomfortable discussions and interactions in a way that deepens our understanding of our own assumptions and biases, and gives us all the chance to rethink and do better.

Siddika Jessa

Moya McAlister is Communications Manager for NSRLP. She is also Board Director of Black Women of Forward Action, a Windsor-based group that advocates for anti-Black racism initiatives at a community and municipal level, and supports Black women entrepreneurs and students. Moya was previously featured in our episode, “Living Black Lives.”

Siddika Jessa has also previously taken part in the podcast, for the episode, “The Courage of Your Convictions,” when she described how some members of her community responded to her son’s same-sex marriage. Since then, Siddika has founded WiderLens, which delivers training workshops in the faith community, as well as the corporate and not-for-profit sectors. Wider Lens focuses on training in communication, emotional intelligence, anti-racism, and diversity.

In Other News

Shannon Meikle

This week our In Other News Correspondent is Research Assistant Shannon Meikle. This week Shannon discusses: the Ontario government’s plan to combine courthouses in North York, Etobicoke, and Scarborough; an update to the discussion surrounding the LSO’s ability to facilitate justice; and the Ontario Superior Court of Justice’s appointment of three new judges, all women.

“Amalgamated courthouse in Toronto ‘significant barrier’ to justice, critics say” (CBC)

“The Law Society of Ontario will be challenged on whether it facilitates access to justice for Ontario’s most vulnerable people” (Financial Post)

“Ottawa appoints three new judges in Ontario: Patricia Moore, Martha Ann Tweedie, Kathleen Bingham” (Law Times)

Jumping Off the Ivory Tower is produced and hosted by Julie Macfarlane and Dayna Cornwall; production and editing by Brauntë Petric; Other News produced and hosted by Shannon Meikle; promotion by Moya McAlister and the NSRLP team.