Black Students of DLSPH

Black MPH Students at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health resisting institutional anti-Black racism for health and racial justice in academia & beyond.

[Black Students of DLSPH @BlackatDLSPH]

Dean @SteiniBrown, we are counting on you to use your power and privilege for meaningful systemic change. You have a responsibility to transform the status quo and create nurturing spaces for Black, Indigenous, and racialized students.

[Black Students of DLSPH @BlackatDLSPH]

We are committed to addressing anti-Black racism within the DLSPH and will continue to keep our allies updated with next steps and outcomes.

[Black Students of DLSPH @BlackatDLSPH]

Heartfelt gratitude and thanks to all who signed and shared our petition! We are 600+ strong. However, the fight is not over. Together we must continue to hold public health institutions accountable for their oppressive public health practices.

[Black Students of DLSPH @BlackatDLSPH]

In efforts to address anti-Black racism at DLSPH, we NEED #internalaccountability from faculty, staff, and student groups alike. Sign our petition now to address the long-standing neglect and dismissal of Black students' needs.
https://t.co/gXMBvqeocN

[Black Students of DLSPH @BlackatDLSPH]

We are disappointed to see delayed recognition of appeals to meaningfully support the #mentalhealth of Black students. We have been grieving, we are grieving, but we are also resisting. This cannot, & should not be an isolated initiative. #Blackhealthmatters always.

[Public Health Students' Association of DLSPH @UofT_PHSA]

Today marks the anniversary of George Floyd’s death. His murder sparked a unified, international movement for racial equity that is still being fought for today. His death, along with many others, was at the hands of the police. This cannot be forgotten.

1/n

[Black Students of DLSPH @BlackatDLSPH]

#Healthequity for #Blacklives within, & beyond the @UofT_dlsph cannot be embraced without justice & liberation. Public health institutions have a responsibility to devolve power, demonstrate allyship, & centre communities in how they operate every day. #accountabilitynow

[Black Students of DLSPH @BlackatDLSPH]

The fight resisting institutional anti-Black racism for #health and #RacialJustice at DLSPH demands #curriculumdevelopment. The current mandatory coursework expected of DLSPH students fails to analyze #raceandhealth critically and demotes the importance of race. We demand change!

[Rosie Mensah @rosiemensah]

Black Lives still Matter even if the topic is not trending.

[Black Students of DLSPH @BlackatDLSPH]

This change must occur in proactive, and non-reactive ways. Keep sharing our petition amongst your networks and support change now. https://t.co/gXMBvqeocN

[Black Students of DLSPH @BlackatDLSPH]

Our second demand lies in student engagement and support. As history shows, Black students @UofT_dlsph have repeatedly been called to engage in organizing or consultant-like work in response to institutional anti-Blackness.

[Black Students of DLSPH @BlackatDLSPH]

Among other pieces, students should be compensated for this work as it is of direct benefit to the DLSPH, contributes to the institutional diversity, equity & inclusion strategy, and requires recognition.

[Black Students of DLSPH @BlackatDLSPH]

We stand by our demands and further condemn @UofT_dlsph’s erasure of the organizing efforts of Black students in decision-making.

[Black Students of DLSPH @BlackatDLSPH]

We congratulate Dr. Timothy on her appointment as @UofT_dlsph Black Health Lead. We have, however, clearly stated that the University must not solely depend on the labour of Black faculty to mobilize change in tokenizing, potentially harmful ways.

[Black Students of DLSPH @BlackatDLSPH]

This position must be adequately resourced and accompany deep institutional change.

[Black Students of DLSPH @BlackatDLSPH]

The danger of an uncritical, oppressive public health institution is the reproduction of uncritical, oppressive thinkers & practitioners in public health. Interrupt the cycle of harm to Black communities. Sign our petition: https://t.co/gXMBvqeocN

[Black Students of DLSPH @BlackatDLSPH]

Our first demand lies in #internal #accountability: greater transparency in EDI work planned and achieved, recurring and accountable anti-racism training + commitments among Faculty/staff/student advocacy groups, and processes and infrastructure to support Black health.

[Black Students of DLSPH @BlackatDLSPH]

WE DEMAND BETTER. Even if EDI leaders, committees, working groups, & task forces are appointed by institutions to transform them, it does not mean institutions are willing to be transformed. We are calling for deep change.

[Black Students of DLSPH @BlackatDLSPH]

Institutional recognition of equity, diversity & inclusion (EDI) can easily conceal institutional ignorance of existing problems. For @UofT_DLSPH, diversity & representation language has protected the institution’s self- & capital interests at the expense of Black health.

[Ameil J. Joseph Ph.D. (he/him) @ajesusjoseph]

The move to speak about SDH and to not follow through on actions to address them is a move to appropriate the analyses of inequity and injustice tokenistically and to permit it to continue. That, is just plain gross and shameful.

[Black Students of DLSPH @BlackatDLSPH]

There is #NoHealthUnderOccupation & no one is free until we are all free. Shame on @uoftmedicine for silencing advocacy against colonial oppression that makes Palestinian unfreedom & harm possible. The fight for Black lives & Palestinian liberation are interconnected.

[Ritika Goel @RitikaGoelTO]

I thank everyone for their incredible support during this time. A letter with 800+ signatures led by medical students at @uoftmedicine and the support on #ISupportDrGoel has been overwhelming. /10 https://t.co/A3cZIGgQqT