Why does having a representative school curriculum matter?

An overly Eurocentric curriculum, as is prevalent in many Ontario schools, signals that other races "have not made valuable contributions to the social, cultural and economic development" of our world. (1/n)

Silence on the numerous racialized scientists, political figures and more in North American history implies that "racialized people have not made scientific and medical discoveries" nor are capable of making such discoveries. (2/n)

More significantly, silence on other cultures beyond 'Multiculturalism Day' suggests that non-European "countries of origin are poor and backward and therefore their heritage, beliefs and values are neither relevant nor worthwhile." (3/n)

The implicit message of a non-inclusive curriculum is that racialized students' ancestors have not been valuable to the creation of the countries that their descendants now reside in, leading to limited ideas of one's future. (4/n)

In Canada and the USA, teaching Black history matters. Teaching Indigenous history matters. Teaching about the diverse, and often dark, political contexts of mass immigration to Western countries also matters. (5/n)

The following thread has been adapted from page 57 of the review "Roots of Youth Violence" by Dr. Alvin Curling. The full version is here: http://www.children.gov.on.ca/htdocs/English/documents/youthandthelaw/rootsofyouthviolence-vol1.pdf

I stand in solidarity with @VACAORG , @PoBCAdvocate , @AdvocacyPeel and more of my colleagues as they march tomorrow for permanent change in Ontario schools, including an inclusive curriculum. #BlackStudentsMatter please read their demands here: http://www.marchforblackstudents.com/demands