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For racialized students, racism is an incessant experience – from hearing seemingly small microaggressions, to witnessing overt acts of discrimination. We know that the spectrum of racial trauma shapes the lives of racialized students within the school structure, but it also has the power to shape their life trajectories as well.

The ARIE project in British Columbia is a collaborative effort spanning from 2018 to 2024. Our mission has been to investigate racism in public high schools, propose anti-racism initiatives, and advocate for better educational outcomes for racialized students.

Half of the students we surveyed in 2023 reported feeling unsafe or uncomfortable at school due to factors such as race, ethnicity, English speaking ability, status in Canada, or cultural background. Racialized students were less likely to report racist incidents when they occurred, with 33% of surveyed students uncertain about the existence of racism-related policies at their school.

We invite you to join us for an important focus group dedicated to addressing the experiences of racialized students and their families within our school system. Scheduled for September 5 from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM at 709 Douglas Street, this focus group aims to provide a safe and supportive space for parents to share their stories and insights. Through this focus group, we will also highlight the ways in which families navigate and resist these challenges.

Your input is crucial in helping us create meaningful change and will inform future policies and practices aimed at combating racism in schools.