Say No to Anti-Asiam Racism: A Path Forward

As Canada sees more hate crimes against Asian-Canadians during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is each individual’s responsibility to stand up to say no to anti-Asian racism and all forms of racism.

Asian communities and community health and resource centres in Ottawa are coming together to host this series of learning sessions to help people understand what a systemic anti-Asian racism looks like, how it has impacted Asian communities, what we can do to combat all forms of racism and support other racialized communities and to celebrate some amazing everyday Asian Canadian heroes.

Session one: Saturday, June 12 (1:30pm – 2:30pm)

What Does Anti-Asian Systemic Racism Look Like in Canada?

Speakers:

Judge Maryka Omatsu – Co-author of Challenging Racist BC

Dr. Ravi Pendakur – Professor, Faculty of Social Science, University of Ottawa

Aimee Beboso – Chairperson, Migrante Ottawa

Session two: Saturday, June 19 (1:30pm – 2:30pm)

How Has Anti-Asian Racism Impacted Asian Communities?

Speakers:

France Clare Stohner – Mental Health Counselor

Naini Cloutier – Executive Director, Someset West Community Health Centre

Rev. Allan Tan – Assistant Priest, Anglican Network Church of the Good Shepherd

Session three: Saturday, June 26 (1:30pm – 2:30pm)

How do We Address Anti-Asian Racism?

Speakers:

Nicole Sudiacal – Chairperson, Anakbayan Canada

Lillian Michiko Blakey – Author and Artist

Anne-Marie Pham – Executive Director, Canadian Centre for Diversity & Inclusion (CCDI)

Session four: Saturday, July 3 (1:30pm – 2:30pm)

Meet Everyday Asian Canadian Heroes

Speakers:

Olivia Chow – Distinguished Visiting Professor, Ryerson University

Korean Community Association

Patrick Chan – ESL educator

Jinyu Chi – Registered Practical Nurse

More speakers to be announced!

Sponsors:

Anakbayan Ottawa, Centretown Community Health Centre, City for All Women Initiative, Coalition of Community Health and Resource Centres, Korean Community Association of Ottawa, Ottawa Chinese Community Service Centre, Ottawa Japanese Community Association, Somerset West Community Health Centre, Vietnamese Canadian Community of Ottawa

With financial support from:

SEASONOVA

The Chinese Canadian National Council for Social Justice (CCNC-SJ)’s Eyes Open is an Anti-Asian Racism PSA created by Melissa Grelo and Elaine Lui – co-hosts of CTV’s The Social. It features a powerful poem written by Chinese Canadian poet, Christopher Tse.