Winnipeg teacher placed on leave after racial slur used in classroom
The Franco-Manitoban School Division says a Winnipeg teacher has been placed on leave after a social media post that appears to show the educator using a racial slur for Black people in the classroom.
The school division says it condemns all forms of racism.
The remark was made by a teacher at College Louis-Riel senior high school Thursdayand a student's response to it was later uploaded on social media.
"The minute you said that word you did not respect us," a student says to a woman in the video. "The minute that word came out of your mouth you did not respect us at all."
Ramatoulaye Cherif, who is on the board of Parents Against Racism, said the organization has spoken with students who were in the classroom. Cherif said the students alleged the teacher used the slur multiple times.
"It feels very derogatory. It feels dehumanizing," Cherif said.
The school's administration posted a video online in French on Saturday in response to what it called tensions caused by the use of inappropriate vocabulary in the classroom.
The school division said supports were sent to the school to help students. Additionally, the school and the division committed to forming advisory groups of students, parents, staff and communities to contribute to an action plan to tackle racism and other challenges.
"Racism, like discrimination or bullying, are not new phenomena. They were part of the landscape of the first humans on Earth," the division said in a news release Tuesday. "What should also be remembered is that these are not phenomena that are the sole responsibility of the school."
Cherif, whose children attend a different school in the division, said the division should be far beyond making commitments to change.
Parents Against Racism was formed following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis in 2020, which sparked a global movement around racial discrimination. A police officer knelt on the Black man's neck for several minutes, even as Floyd said he couldn't breathe.
At the same time in Winnipeg, Cherif said many former College Louis-Riel students came forward with accounts of racism at the school, including the use of derogatory terms in the classroom by teachers.
Cherif said the board worked with the school at that time and signed an agreement about commitments to change. But, she said, clearly not enough was done.
"The concrete actions were not there," she said. "Because if you really say you are going to do this, and there is a school teacher that is still saying this word, that means you aren't taking the necessary precautions to help avoid it."
Cherif said there needs to be a clear apology.
She said there must also be an audit of teaching materials and lesson plans. She added that teachers should be trained to understand why using these words, in any context, can cause harm to students.
The Parents Against Racism board said in a statement in French that the incident reflects a normalized culture of racism that hurts students' rights to a safe education. It also called for a clear anti-racism policy to protect racialized students, parents and staff.
"There is no excuse for this happening," Cherif said.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 19, 2021.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
AstraZeneca says it will withdraw COVID-19 vaccine globally as demand dips
AstraZeneca said on Tuesday it had initiated the worldwide withdrawal of its COVID-19 vaccine due to a 'surplus of available updated vaccines' since the pandemic.
'Summer of discontent': Federal unions vow to fight new 3-day a week office mandate
Federal unions are launching legal challenges and encouraging public sector workers to file "tens of thousands" of grievances over the new mandate requiring federal workers to return to the office at least three days a week in the fall.
Watch fighter jet pilots pummel fake enemy ship off coast of Philippines
The United States and Philippines held annual joint-training drills just off the Southeast Asian nation’s western coast on Wednesday. Military forces sunk a 'mock' enemy warship – the BRP Lake Caliraya, which was a decommissioned tanker made in China.
'Ozempic babies': Reports of surprise pregnancies raise new questions about weight loss drugs
Numerous women have shared stories of 'Ozempic babies' on social media. But the joy some experience in discovering pregnancies may come with anxiety about the unknowns.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Toronto police seek suspect vehicle after security guard shot outside Drake's mansion
Toronto police are seeking help from the public as they continue to investigate a shooting that seriously injured a security guard outside rapper Drake's mansion.
Seafood, eat food: Calgary Stampede releases Midway menu
The Calgary Stampede has released its menu of sweet, salty and spicy treats available on the Midway for the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.