The Untold Stories Documentary and the Role in CREAN’s Mission
Written by Solange Lavi Dorsainvil
I thought I'd experienced enough of it as a mixed race person to have a clear understanding of the current situation for Black students. It became apparent, I truly did not: at that point I had only scratched the surface of what was really going on for tons of Black students and staff. I realized at that very moment that if I, who thought I had a solid base of knowledge, was left surprised and enraged by the stories I was hearing, then everyone needed to have access to these stories, that these individuals deserved the chance to be heard. …The Untold Stories documentary serves as a poignant testament to the realities of racism within our educational institutions, while also exemplifying the transformative potential of anti-racist education.
Within the educational realm, there exists a narrative often overlooked but undeniably significant—the real-life experiences of racism endured by students and staff. Today, we delve into this narrative, examining the Untold Stories documentary and its relevance to CREAN’s mission. By dissecting the film's core and its integration with anti-racist education, we uncover the crucial link between storytelling and societal change.
What is the Untold Stories documentary?
My documentary had its very first screening on April 28, 2024. It was an incredibly successful event that took place in Victoria, BC, that created a strong sense of community and engagement. The Untold Stories documentary is a compilation of lived accounts by specifically Black students and staff in the Greater Victoria School District. It was originally created in my grade 11 Social Justice class as an inquiry project. It has now become a social commentary piece and educational learning tool. The intention is for it to be used to open teachers, administrators, parents, and concerned citizens' eyes to the experiences of Black youth and staff in the school system, today. Whether it is shown in board meetings, pro-d day events, staff meetings or within the classroom, the vulnerable stories shared within the film are necessary for all to hear.
The idea for the film was first inspired by a conversation between a close friend and I who is interviewed in the film. She had been recalling an experience she’d had the week prior at her school that left me devastated. I thought I knew what was happening, I thought I'd experienced enough of it as a mixed race person to have a clear understanding of the current situation for Black students. It became apparent, I truly did not: at that point I had only scratched the surface of what was really going on for tons of Black students and staff. I realized at that very moment that if I, who thought I had a solid base of knowledge, was left surprised and enraged by the stories I was hearing, then everyone needed to have access to these stories, that these individuals deserved the chance to be heard.
What is the connection between the Untold Stories documentary and the CREAN Anti-Racism project?
CREAN’s work through the Anti-Racism (ARIE) project aims to educate school administrators and staff on the current situation for IBPOC students and the ways in which they can be better supported. I am a research assistant at CREAN, and often help facilitate the workshops. The workshops consist of a slideshow packed with important statistics and survey results done in schools, as well as slides on accounts of student experiences. This is followed up with brave, open discussions about experiences. It is difficult to fully address the weight and immense importance of the brave students' stories in a few slides during a larger workshop. The film itself takes the time to hone in on the real life accounts of racism and give it the full time it deserves, though it could go on for hours.
Facilitating discussion is another essential part of the CREAN workshops. I have been lucky enough to witness many of these profound discussions, and they have impacted me greatly. I have noticed that during these discussions many people express that hearing personal accounts of racism told by the students themselves left a lasting impact. In my eyes, the Untold Stories Documentary is evidence of why we need to go into schools and teach anti-racism education in the first place. It highlights the injustice: it underscores the need for action and calls attention to the ways in which change can be made. There is not enough action being taken to ensure students of colour are feeling safe at school: this film is a testament to that lack of safety.
As a school or organization, committing to an anti-racist practice is an ongoing journey. Bringing in an organization like CREAN to host a workshop that educates staff is a huge and powerful step that many do not take. Even so, it takes more than one workshop to create an anti-racist environment, one that is felt and understood by students and staff. The Untold Stories documentary is another way to bring in anti-racist practices to schools. Screening the film in staff meetings or within classrooms and facilitating a discussion afterward could be another meaningful way to educate. Best case scenario, hosting an educational workshop with CREAN and pairing it with a documentary of real life accounts that highlight the importance of the anti-racist could be truly profound and lead to real change.
The Untold Stories documentary serves as a poignant testament to the realities of racism within our educational institutions, while also exemplifying the transformative potential of anti-racist education. Through its compelling narratives, the film transcends mere documentation to become a powerful catalyst for societal change. It sheds light on the lived experiences of Black students and staff, compelling us to confront the systemic injustices pervading our schools. The connection between this documentary and CREAN’s ARIE project underscores the imperative of equipping educators and administrators with the tools to address these issues effectively. By integrating the film into educational workshops and screenings, we take a vital step towards fostering a culture of empathy, understanding, and action. Together, we can heed the call to dismantle systemic racism and create a more equitable future for all.
To access the Untold Stories Documentary click the link below!
This project is funded by the government of Canada.