Part III
When the report was first released and the names of the trustees that had reportedly expressed acts of racism were leaked, internally I called bull roar. Not because I didn’t take the feelings of the then student seriously, but I had worked with two of the trustees who were also both very involved in their communities including working with children and as mentors to youth.
Still, we had already seen hints of the local climate surrounding questioning these issues so I kept the opinions to myself, and started reading the report thoroughly.
Bull roar, again.
The report and investigation was poorly done and I found it quite unfortunate that a third party investigator was brought in that obviously was looking at this issue through an antiracist lens and did nothing to see the humanity and complexity of these four individuals.
Still, I felt a need to stay silent – fearful of my job and the well-being of my family. Nobody was standing up. Media, local and provincial leaders were all calling out these four trustees. It was gross.
As you would see if you had followed my advocacy in the past, I go to great lengths to understand an issue so after the report, I dug even deeper.
Ibram X. Kendi. Robin DiAngelo. Desmond Cole.
Check.
Bull roar, still.
Then I found Irshad Manji and my life changed. The report and all of these books above, were so angry and illiberal. When you are constantly looking for something, you are going to find it – even when it’s not there.
From Irshad, came Chloe S. Valdary, Thomas Chatterton Williams, and so many other brilliant minds who were challenging the narrative being pushed by Kendi, DiAngelo, and Cole, and it was refreshing.
All theories are valid, and none should stand alone as truth.