Who we are:
The Racialized Student Network (RSN) began in Fall 2010, after multiple conversations between Ilyan Ferrer, Ifeyinwa Mbakogu and Ed Lee and other racialized students within the School of Social Work. Drawing from their experiences as local, out-of-province, and international students; teaching assistants; sessional instructors; exam invigilators; and research assistants; as well as in
formal discussions on the experiences of other students within the School, a decision was made to create a support network addressing issues of isolation, barriers in field placement or classroom, and career advancement among racialized social work students. Our first meeting was held in October 2010 and was attended by over 20 racialized students (since this initial meeting the RSN has met on a consistent basis). The collective dialogue that emerged from this gathering further cemented the importance of creating the RSN. However, we want to acknowledge that there have been many racialized students over the past 50 years who have spoken up about the kinds of barriers that racialized students encounter at this School of Social Work. And so, our work is a humble continuation of this struggle for inclusion. What we do:
The main purpose of this student driven initiative is to provide an opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students of colour to get to know each other by initiating inter-programme dialogue, skills building workshops, and support networks for racialized social work students. The Racialized Students Network (RSN) assists racialized students in navigating through their studies, identifying potential systemic barriers, and sharing their experiences within their respective programmes. Our Membership:
The Racialized Students Network (RSN) welcomes all racial minority undergraduate or graduate students, in addition to alumni, from the McGill School of Social Work who self-identify as racialized, indigenous/native, person of colour, “visible minority”, and/or multi-racial. We also welcome participation from racialized and indigenous students from other departments of McGill University to attend our events. Partnerships and Projects
● Social Work Association of Graduate Students (SWAGS)
● International and Out of Province Students Committee of the Social Work Association of Graduate Students (SWAGS)
● Social Work Students Association (SWSA)
● Indigenous Access McGill (IAM)
● Indigenous Students Alliance (ISA)
● First Peoples’ House - McGill University
● Social Equity and Diversity Education (SEDE) Office, McGill University
Our Events
RSN events are based on partnership with other student bodies, groups or agencies within the School of Social Work and McGill University
2010 Events
· November 5, 2010:- First RSN Meet and Greet.
· December 13, 2010:- Second RSN Meeting at First People’s House
2011 Events
· February 11, 2011:- Valentine’s Day Gathering (planned but cancelled)
· April 2011:- ‘Building Academic and Community Networks and Negotiating Job Prospects for Minority Students’ A talk delivered by Prof Aristide Nononsi from the Institute for the Study of International Development (ISID)
· September 2011: First RSN meeting (Meet and Greet) of the 2011-2012 academic year
· September 2011:- ‘Racial Profiling,’ organized through a partnership between the Social Work Students Association (SWSA), the Racialized Students Network (RSN), the Graduate Collective against Racism for Equity (GCARE) and the Centre for Research Action on Race Relations (CRARR)
· October 2011 to present: Ongoing equity Discussions with PGSS, SSMU, GCARE and QPIRG
2012 Events
· December 2012:- Study Booster (two day event for BSW, Q-year, MSW and Doctoral students)
· December 2012:- Intercultural Potluck
· Winter 2012:- Yoga and self care classes: is provided based on a partnership between Indigenous Students Alliance, International and out of Province Students Committee of SWAGS and the Racialized Students Network
2013 Events
· February 2013:- Social Equity and Diversity Education (SEDE), McGill workshop on: ‘Creating Safer Spaces in an Academic Environment: Racial Micro-aggressions, Oppression and Colour Blindness.’
· March 2013:- Workshop: ‘This is Your Life Workshop Series: Field Placement Experiences.’
· March 2013:- RSN Meet and Greet
· April 2013:- Study Booster (two day event for Q-year, MSW and Doctoral students)
· April 2013:- Cultural Diversity Potluck (Participation of students, faculty, family members and friends)
The co-coordinators for 2013-14 are: Radney Jean-Claude, Ryan Thom, Shannah Strauss.
