I’ve always found it appalling that Trustees are able to fearlessly perpetuate & enable white supremacy at the board table. As a former Student Trustee, I know that comments like these are often excused or disguised as an elected official’s right to speak openly. 1/6 https://twitter.com/misterdebuono/status/1306756364753043456

This is not an isolated issue. This year at @HWDSB, a white Trustee was applauded for their “bravery” when arguing that prioritizing space for an Indigenous ST was inequitable to other students. Not only was this ignorant, but it was a direct act of opposing reconciliation. 2/6

On the flip side, when white Trustees were denounced at the board table (by a racialized Trustee) for belittling the negative experiences of BIPOC with cops in schools, it was made clear that Trustees were not permitted to address one another accross the board table. 3/6

Currently, Trustees are able to openly make hateful & oppressive comments at the board table without consequence. But blowing the whistle on these comments supposedly goes against proper board table etiquette. This is clearly an issue of Trustee governance as a whole. 4/6

When Trustees making decisions regarding high-level policy not only disregard their obligation to prioritize equity in education, but are also complicit & participatory in acts of racism, our education system is bound to fail BIPOC, time & time again. We have to do better. 5/6

@TCDSB, Trustee Del Grande has been known to openly make racist/homophobic comments & harass STs for far too long. Why do you continue to protect him? Protect the students you’re supposed to be serving instead. Trustee Michael Del Grande needs to be impeached immediately. 6/6