Reckon This: Anti-Black Racism Campaign

A call to action on Anti-Black Racism at York University

DEMANDS

YFS 2020 DEMANDS

We demand the following:

1. Cops off Campus
2. The implementation and institution of community-based alternatives to security and police forces in a campus safety plan, to be determined in collaboration with student leaders like ourselves, the department of social work, and staff and faculty who are familiar with abolitionist frameworks
3. The re-introduction of the Community Safety Council at York to advise and oversee the Community Safety Department and Security Services
4. That the recommendation of hiring 6 additional Black Faculty be accepted immediately
5. The implementation of mandatory Anti Oppression and Mental Health training for all Staff and Faculty
6. Collection of race-based data
7. The introduction of a separate reporting process for incidents of Racism and Discrimination

Avolonto Campaign Demands

• York University immediately cease its termination procedures against Prof. Avolonto
• York University end the arbitrary and punitive leave it has imposed on Prof. Avolonto since December 1, 2018 and facilitate his return to work, including the assignment of teaching responsibilities, with appropriate accommodations and interim measures for all parties
• York University take all necessary steps to end the racist harassment and retaliation facing Prof. Avolonto
• The investigation by Roger Beaudry be suspended indefinitely; and all fees paid to Roger Beaudry by York University be disclosed publicly
• York University President Rhonda Lenton, Provost and Vice-President Academic Lisa Philipps, Senior Policy Advisor Barry Miller, and their designates immediately recuse themselves from the handling of Prof. Avolonto’s complaints and any other files related to Prof. Avolonto
• In consultation with Black community members at York University and external experts, an independent and external investigator, with lived experience of anti-Black racism and formal training or expertise in investigating anti-Black racism, be appointed to review the conduct of the investigator Roger Beaudry of Aptus Solutions and to develop, as above, the terms, conditions, and timeline of such a review
• The Minister of Colleges and Universities, the Hon. Ross Romano, commit the necessary resources for the aforementioned review to be conducted in a fair and timely manner and with the confidence of the community

TIMELINE

• 2016-2020: Prof. Aimé Avolonto first raised concerns about anti-Black racism as a faculty member on Glendon campus and has spoken publicly about his experience.
• 2020: York University Administration first attempt at firing Prof. Aimé Avolonto.
• 2020: The original demands from the YFS came out of the All Out September 30th Campaign.
• February 25th, 2021: “Black on campus” documentary airs on CBC’s Fifth Estate.
• 2021: The York University administration continued attempts to fire Prof. Aimé Avolonto, after he made complaints about anti-Black racism were raised.
• 2021: York University issues a public statement for staff and faculty of Glendon College addressing the anti-Black racism as an issue which needs “Urgent attention”. That letter is no longer accessible.
• April 8th, 2021: Prof. Aimé Avolonto, appeared at a press conference where he revealed detailed allegations of anti-Black racism against university administrators, including President Rhonda Lenton.
• January 31st, 2023: York's administration fired Lydia Dosu, a Black woman who has worked at the University for over 24 years after she made complaints about anti-Black racism from 2017-23.
• April 2023: Lydia Dosu appeared at a press conference where she shared detailed allegations of anti-Black racism against York University, including acts of race-based harassment, discrimination, and retaliation.
• 2023: In the termination letter, York made the outrageous claim that Lydia Dosu represents a "health and safety risk" to other (non-Black) employees for filing complaints about anti-Black racism.
• 2023: York based its decision on a report by an investigator who is facing allegations of anti-Black racism and discrimination at the HRTO since 2020, along with York University President Rhonda Lenton and other senior administrators. 2023 (currently): York University is facing at least eight complaints about anti-Black racism at the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario.

Solidarity Pledge

We encourage Congress participants to make the following solidarity pledge before they present or speak at Congress this week, in recognition of the continuing struggles against anti-Black racism at York University.

The purpose of the pledge is to remind all participants that these struggles should not be treated as an abstract academic exercise or hidden from view during discussions about “reckonings” and “re-imaginings” in response to anti-Black racism or other forms of oppression at York or other postsecondary institutions.

By contrast, we commit to use the platform that Congress provides to name and amplify those struggles and to let them inform the work we do as scholars and researchers.

Before I present, I would like to acknowledge that York University remains a site of struggle against systemic anti-Black racism and anti-Indigenous racism. I recognize the work of Black and Indigenous students, staff, and faculty at York who continue to lead these struggles, including the support campaigns for Lydia Dosu and Aimé Avolonto, and I present today in solidarity with them.

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