The Ottawa Catholic School Board acknowledges the incidents of violence that have occurred in the United States, Canada, and throughout the world in recent weeks and days. We recognize anti-Black racism is deeply rooted in our society and occurs in our community and schools. We acknowledge much work needs to be done to address this systemic racism. We pledge to be part of the solution.
As a faith-based educational community, we believe all people are created in the image and likeness of God and have the right to be treated with dignity and respect. As such, we have a duty and responsibility to confront racism with honesty and humility and work as a community to dismantle it.
As a School Board, we continue to provide resources for equity work to do our part to help eradicate systemic racism. Dr. Nicole West-Burns, an independent equity consultant has stated we must find humility, leave our ego at the door and listen. Our commitment to our students, staff and community is to listen to the voices of those who experience racism and take action. “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;” (James 1:19).
We know people in our community have experienced acts of racism and felt silenced. We pledge to listen and learn. The voices of our students, staff and families will inform our work in anti-Black racism and equity. We are focused on actions that address the racial inequities in our society.
We are committed to the well-being of our students, to their families and our staff. Together, let’s ‘Seek Justice, Love Kindness and Mercy and Walk Humbly with our God.’ (Micah 6-8).