St. Thomas mother and daughter challenge TVDSB over racism

A 15-year old St. Thomas student wants Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB) to do more to combat racism after facing a racial slur at Parkside Collegiate Institute. 

Chloe Ngakosso is bi-racial. She said she became the target of the slur in November while on her way to her locker.  

"An older boy said to me that I had fleas and then called me the N-word but I didn't get a look at him because I was just shocked," she said. "I just felt really scared cause I felt like I wasn't going to be protected, like I wasn't safe in my own school anymore."

That fear prevented Ngakosso from going to her principal or other school authorities at the time. She did tell her family and her aunt posted about the incident on Twitter. That got the attention of the school's principal who reached out to the teen's mother. 

"The principal was helpful," said Samantha Daniel, Ngakosso's mother. "I wanted to get the attention of the school board." 

Daniel said her daughter was too scared to come forward with a formal complaint having heard that other students had been attacked for reporting incidents of racism, bullying or violence.

But, Daniel called the board's superintendent who was responsible for the school at that time. 

"I had a couple of ideas on how maybe we can discuss other ways of educating the kids and dealing with the situation." Daniel said she spoke with the assistant to the superintendent but did not hear back.

Daniel has a 10-year-old daughter who has also experienced racial slurs. In that case, a student did get suspended for the remarks but that amounts to "...two free days to play video games," said Daniel.

"There's no education involved. There's no nothing," she said. "And each and every incident like that affects my kids to the core."  

Black Lives Matter

Daniel was spurred on to speak out after the school board issued a note last week in response to protests happening in Canada and the United States.

The note denounced anti-black racism and stated board members "...always oppose hate in all of its forms, like anti-black racism. Today, we also need to say that we see you, we are sorry and we are sad."

Daniel and her daughter said that statement does not reflect their experiences. 

"I want to talk to the school board and say 'how can we make this change?' Because this is exactly what's happened with George Floyd," she said.

Daniel points to U.S. media reports identifying police officer Derek Chauvin as a man who was repeatedly the subject of complaints from members of the public. 

 "This man that killed George Floyd had a lot of other reports against him and he's still working right? He's still working because he was given a slap on the wrist." 

Daniel worries the danger of a mere slap on the wrist for perpetrators could become suicidal thoughts or drug use for victims "...because people are not listening to them."

'We are listening'

Officials who take on these issues with the Thames Valley District School Board told CBC News that several initiatives are in place to deal with racial discrimination, bullying and other inappropriate actions involving students. 

"The response could be anywhere from a range of conversations with the student if it's appropriate all the way to suspension and expulsion," said Matthew Sereda, Learning Coordinator- Equity and Inclusive Education with the TVDSB.

The consequences for a racial slur could vary depending on the age of the student, the availability of evidence, and the severity of the incident. 

"Our strategy in the Thames Valley board is always centred on making sure that we are listening to and hearing from the voices of the students that are experiencing racism," said Sereda. "What would help (students) feel safe at school? What would a caring relationship with educators look like? We really want to be listening to students and responding to what they tell us."

Adjusting the curriculum

The board is also trying to better reflect the student body as a whole, said Sereda.

"Historically, learning opportunities, I would argue, across North America have really been centred on Judeo-Christian experiences. So how can we diversify our curriculum as well as our teaching and learning opportunities to make sure we have a multiple or a diverse range of identities represented in what students are learning about?"

Black administrators are also involved in a closed committee that includes students, parents, employees and community members. The group will hold a virtual meeting next week "...to have some of those tough conversations about what our students are experiencing and how we as a school board can best support them in their learning and safety at school" said Sereda.

Accountability

Daniel isn't convinced the words are being backed up by action. 

"When Chloe was in public school (a student) called her n--ger. I went to the school and it was 'oh, well you know this girl has really bad anxiety' and I'm like 'well then that makes it okay. She has anxiety so she can call anybody whatever she wants."

Chloe said she just wants to feel safe. 

"It does make me mad that people can get away with saying that stuff to someone they don't even know," she said. "I'd just like to see them like being held accountable for it. I'd like to see that they know that they can't get away with stuff like that. There are consequences."