Anti-racism group accuses Montreal-area school of systemic racism
Posted February 1, 2023 8:32 am.
Last Updated February 1, 2023 6:21 pm.
A Montreal group dedicated to fighting systemic racism and racial profiling is accusing a Montreal-area school of systemic racism.
The Red Coalition says young Black students at Collège Bourget in Rigaud, Que., 65 kilometres west of Montreal, are targets of discrimination and racism.
They allege that white students at the elementary and secondary school have pulled Black students’ hair, spat on them and called them the N-word.
“The family provided us with photos of cartoon images bearing people in KKK outfits,” said Joel DeBellefeuille, the founder and executive director of the Red Coalition. “The family provided us with images of a student holding a piece of fried chicken with the N-word repeated about six times as a headline over the top of the photo.
“I just couldn’t believe that in this day and age in 2023, that these are the type of cases. I mean, pulling hair and spitting on people and calling them the N-word.”
Collège Bourget in Rigaud, Que., on Feb. 1, 2023. (Credit: Martin Daigle/CityNews)
The Red Coalition says that these behaviours take place in front of teachers, support staff and school administration.
They say they believe that the recent law enacted by the Quebec government to protect academic freedom contributes to the use of the N-word in academic circles.
RELATED: Quebec bill on academic freedom ‘a slap in the face,’ says Concordia Black Student Union
The Red Coalition says the family of the two girls targeted tell them they don’t feel safe at school anymore.
One of the young girls, a 14-year-old, recorded a voice note about her experience and wished to remain anonymous for fear of repercussions,
“I have faked being sick or faked an injury just so that my parent can let me stay home because I wasn’t up for a day of school because I didn’t know if I was going to get bullied, if I was going to see somebody was going to come to me and say the N-word or if I was going to get in trouble for just acting as a normal student,” she said.
The Red Coalition at a press conference on Feb. 1, 2023 denouncing the situation. Photo Credit: Kwunkeyi Isichei/CityNews
The Red Coalition says any complaints to staff were dismissed.
Philippe Bertrand, director general of College Bourget, said the situation at the school is not what the Red Coalition describes. By email he said: “The Red Coalition is basing themselves on one case in which a young girl is unfortunately suffering racist insults, which we do not deny. In no way do we tolerate this kind of behavior, they are reprimanded.
“We intervene proactively to create a harmonious and healthy climate so that all of our students feel respected and safe. Training has also been given to staff members in order to equip them to intervene appropriately and help them understand the different realities experienced by students.
“The College will be accompanied by an expert in order to take stock of the situation and ensure that they adopt best practices in prevention and intervention so that each student feels safe and accepted, despite their differences.”
He also said the school is trying to re-establish the bridges with the family affected by the situation and to find concrete short-term solutions
Late afternoon Wednesday, Red Coalition also told CityNews the family had been informed one of the daughters was suspended from admission next year because one of their tuition payment had been missed.
But the school is disputing that claim, saying readmissions have yet to be sent out and will most likely be sent in the coming days.
The Red Coalition is insisting on accountability.
“We are asking for a systemic investigation, we’re expecting that concrete action will take place,” said Alain Babineau, director of the francophone section of the Black Class Action Secretariat. “For example, the creation of a diversity and inclusion staff position in that school would be a good start.”
“You must actively be anti-racist, actively dismantle the behaviours and the systems that are creating certain barriers and strong negative experiences for our community and for our children,” added Ketcia Peters, the president of the Red Coalition.
The group is calling for a special representative to combat anti-Black racism in Canada and demanding more measures directed at the provincial and federal levels of governments.
“Enough is enough,” said DeBellefeuille.
“People are going to be held accountable.”
