‘Racist and dehumanizing’: Teacher under fire for wearing Blackface at Parkdale Collegiate

A teacher at Parkdale Collegiate Institute has been placed on home assignment pending the results of an independent investigation after they showed up to school wearing Blackface as part of a planned Halloween costume.

In a letter sent to parents and guardians obtained by CityNews, principal Julie Ardell called the teacher’s actions “offensive and hurtful.”

“We are writing to inform you about an incident of anti-Black racism that occurred at Parkdale CI yesterday. As you know, many staff and students were dressed up for Halloween, but late in the morning, a number of students alerted the Vice Principal that a white staff member was in ‘Blackface,” the letter reads.

“Caricatures of peoples’ race or culture are not appropriate and are offensive and hurtful. Regardless of whether this was intended or not, it was racist and dehumanizing.”

She says Parkdale Collegiate acted swiftly as soon as staff became aware of the incident, “including having the staff member immediately wash their face as to not cause further harm.” Ardell says a report was filed with the Toronto District School Board as part of their “Reporting and Responding to Racism and Hate Incidents Involving or Impacting Students Schools Procedure,” adopted in 2019.

“On behalf of Parkdale CI, I acknowledge and regret the harm this incident has caused to students, staff and families and our shared school climate,” Ardell’s letter continues. “At our school, we are committed to creating a teaching and learning environment that is equitable and inclusive for all students, staff and families. While we have begun the work of addressing anti-Black racism and all forms of discrimination, it is clear that we must do more.”

The TDSB states that any employee (including contract, temporary, permanent and occasional employees) who witnesses or becomes aware of a racism incident, a hate/bias incident or a hate crime involving or impacting a student “must immediately report it to the school principal or vice-principal, or next level workplace supervisor who is not involved or implicated in the incident.”

Ardell maintains that anti-Black racism, including Blackface, and all forms of discrimination, violate Parkdale Collegiate’s code of conduct and multiple TDSB policies and procedures. She says staff or students who engage in racist and discriminatory behaviours “can face serious consequences.”

“I would like to thank the students who came forward to identify this to staff. They did the right thing,” she said. “We encourage anyone who experiences or witnesses an act of racism, discrimination or prejudice to report it to a staff member immediately.”

She concludes the letter by saying Parkdale Collegiate employees “will continue to identify, interrupt and address covert and overt acts of racism, including anti-Black racism, in our school,” adding that they will aim to expand strategies for “strengthening a positive school climate and for addressing anti-Black racism through a teaching and learning lens.”

A change.org petition has been created by a woman who claims her son attends the high school. She says she represents “concerned parents and neighbours” who are calling on the TDSB to create safe, supportive and anonymous complaints mechanism that is not a “snitch line”, a zero tolerance for hate and racial discrimination, and ongoing development and accountability in the areas of “anti-Black racism, anti-colonialism, anti-oppression.”

Toronto District School Board : Anti Black Racism at Parkdale CI – Sign the Petition! https://t.co/TgqoRaa3O0 via @CdnChange @leilasarangi

— improv4health (@improv4health) October 31, 2021

“This is not a one-time incident. As parents, many of us have witnessed overt and micro racial aggressions toward our children,” reads the petition. “This incident, however, is severe, shocking and concerning.”

“The system needs an overhaul and eliminating racism and discriminations in our classrooms must be first priority throughout the TDSB.”

In February of this year, a TDSB student raised concerns after a “racially insensitive” poem was taught in class that references slavery.

The poem was by French poet Jacques Prevert titled “Pour Toi, Mon Amour” and was assigned during a Grade 10 virtual French class offered by the TDSB. The student, who did not want to be identified, said no discussion or disclaimer explained the poem’s insensitive nature or even its history.

Later in April, the TDSB announced it would begin conducting a city-wide review of school names this summer to “better reflect the city’s diversity.”