“Scholars must remain vigilant whenever academic freedom collides with diversity. The former can be compromised by EDI activists, who in turn will only be pacified once their demands to censor ‘offensive’ remarks or ‘dangerous’ ideas are met by university administrators,” writes University of Ottawa school of sociological and anthropological studies professor Stuart Chambers.
In November, Yvan Mongo was named the captain of the Gee-Gees men’s hockey team. Since then, Mongo has become the face of many initiatives on campus, and has continued to make an impact throughout the university.
“There is still plenty of work to be done to support and uplift BIPOC in film and television. Simply putting us on television is not enough, and will not eradicate the inadequacies of the entertainment sector.”
One day after posters appeared on campus, the Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU), along with 34 undersign university affiliated organizations, released a statement reaffirming their commitment to racial equity and inclusion.
“The very presence of more Black folk validates the [new President’s Action Committee for an Anti-Racist and Inclusive Campus] and validates Frémont’s inaction. Any validation for the University of Ottawa to move forward with the committee is a step against systemic change for anti-Black racism at the University of Ottawa,” said Jamal Koulmiye-Boyce.
“We absolutely condemn racism, harassment, racial slurs and discrimination,” stated Jacques Frémont, the University of Ottawa’s president in front of the U of O Senate.
On Aug. 27, the University of Ottawa Student’s Union (UOSU) and nine recognized student governments formally offered their support to Carleton student Khadija El-Hilali in demanding for an anti-racism course to be made a mandatory requirement for all undergraduate students.
“While I have no doubts that the creators of the petition mean well, this particular issue reminds me of a similar call to action for mandatory Indigenous content courses in universities. Many of the issues raised in this regard also apply to these suggested mandatory anti-racism courses. Primarily, these mandatory courses could actually foster the toxic spaces they are meant to mitigate,” writes Sam Yee a third-year biomedical sciences and Indigenous studies student at the University of Ottawa.
