b'Young Voices, Big ChangesHow students at Collge Bliveau are leading theconversation about anti-racism in their school communityCollge Bliveaus story as told to Rose Pagtakhan, Divisional Learning Team TeacherWhen we think about anti-racist activism, we tend to think of itFor a time, the students of colour refrained from speaking up in its largest, most visible forms. For example, Martin Lutherabout the issue for a number of reasons. The racism they faced King Jr. delivering his iconic I Have a Dream speech, hundredswas so deeply entrenched in the world around them that they felt of thousands of people marching in Black Lives Matter proteststhere was no choice but to accept it. They feared that if they spoke or any number of other mental images from our history books.up, they would again be dismissed as simply being dramatic, Often, however, the most insidious forms of racismand thebecome socially outcast or lose close friends. They tried to talk to most courageous, radical acts against itare found in ouradults about the issue in the past. After being called a racial slur homes, schools, and communities. Perhaps most dangerousat their basketball game, Vicky, Fatou, Assata and their team felt about this casual, everyday racism is that it is rarely spoken of.that they had a responsibility to act as role models and stand up Those who do not experience it are often completely unawarefor what was right, even if they were skeptical that anything would that it is even happening in the first place. change. They did not want the same thing to happen to other students, including their younger siblings. In February 2022, a group of students at Collge Bliveau sought to change that. Vicky, Fatou, Assata and the varsityThe students insisted on having a conversation with their girls basketball team decided they had to do something aboutadministrators. They met with their principal, who gave them the the racism they faced at school and their provincial basketballspace to speak the truth about what they were experiencing. Tears games. Since Grade 9, they have been subjected to painfulflowed as the students finally told the stories they had held in for comments from fellow students and adults. Some remarksso long. are microaggressions resulting from long-held ideas, while others are outright racist comments and slurs. Go back to yourFollowing the conversation, the students still had a lot of country! Can you move because I cant see past your big hair.questions. Would they be heard this time? Would their principal Dont Black people eat chicken and rice? Your food stinkshave their backs? Would anything come of it? Despite their doubts, like dog food. Kids from Africa are poor and ride to school onthey realized their minds were made up. They knew speaking their elephants, right? Will you call your make-up line Charcoal?truth was far more important than potentially being ignored.These are just a few examples of the painful remarks theseFueled by determination and courage, they wanted to make students experienced. their school community a better place for everyone. At the 11'