Caution: This story contains details of racism that readers may find upsetting.
FERGUS – Parents of Black children are speaking out about repeated racism they say has been directed at their kids, both online and in public spaces.
“People say racism isn’t bad anymore, but it’s very alive and well in Fergus,” Kasandra Coleman said.
Kids are called the N-word walking down the street, experience racism at parks, splashpads and schools, and are sent racist messages online, she said.
She wants parents to know “what their children are out there doing and saying.”
“What kind of community are we if we can’t protect the children from this kind of blatant racism?” Coleman asked.
Nadiya Nicoll said her eight- and 11-year-old children have been called the N-word “many times” in Fergus.
This summer, while they played at a park near their home, Nicoll’s children said two boys “started throwing around the N-word.”
One boy then “put his hand around [Nicoll’s eight-year-old’s] throat to choke him,” while the other chanted the N-word under his breath, she said.
Her son used what he learned in karate and hit the child in the nose to stop him.
The two boys ran away, and their dad came to ask who hit his son.
Nicoll said her children explained what happened, including the N-word and choking, and the dad said “Okay, as long as everyone is okay.”
That incident was the last straw for Nicoll, who said she no longer feels safe in Fergus.
It was part of a pattern, with peers frequently asking her kids for an “N-word pass,” meaning they want permission to say it, she said. Her kids say no, but their peers often say it regardless.
Nicoll’s 11-year-old told her, “‘I don’t want to be brown anymore, I’m ashamed,’” she said, adding, “That felt like a punch to the stomach.”
It’s important for young children to feel included, she said, and her daughter is feeling ostracized instead.
Nicoll and her husband are exploring options for their children to attend high school outside Fergus, as they said high schools here are not safe for Black students.
They’ve lived in Fergus since 2015, and Nicoll said she likely wouldn’t have come if she’d known how bad the racism would be. She said she has tried to work with school officials, but little has been done.
It seems all the students get is a “slap on the wrist,” which doesn’t stop them from repeating the behaviours.
Signs posted throughout schools about inclusivity feel like “a façade” when little is done to stop racism, she said.
“I would like to see more tangible accountability and stronger punishments,” she said. “I just want to see action, not just talk.”
Upper Grand District School Board (UGDSB) human rights, equity and accessibility comissioner Alicia Ralph said the board “acknowledge that acts of anti-Black racism, including the use of the N-word and other racist language, occur in our schools.”
This is not supported or tolerated, she said, and “when incidents occur, we take swift, decisive action to respond, ensure appropriate discipline and provide education” while centering impacted students.
“Students engaging in anti-Black racist behaviour face serious repercussions.”
The UGDSB is in the midst of a human rights review, which Ralph said will help officials respond to anti-Black racism with more accountability and transparency.
Wellington Catholic District School Board (WCDSB) officials stated “we do not tolerate racism … in our schools,” and incidents are “taken very seriously.”
They encourage people to report racist incidents at schools to staff or through the board website.
The WCDSB “actively prioritizes creating safe, inclusive environments … [and is] proud to be a diverse community,” officials stated.
“All students are educated about the importance and contributions of diverse cultures, including Black history and excellence.”
For Josie M’Msafiri, education is key.
“Kids only know what they’re taught,” she said, adding they’re exposed to racist language through social media, music and at home, and repeat words without understanding the implications.
“It’s getting out of hand with our youth,” who are using the N-word as though it’s regular, day-to-day language, M’Msafiri said.
A group of Fergus youth added M’Msafiri’s son and a Black friend of his to a group chat and wrote “You N-ers get out of here,” and “You don’t belong here, N-ers,” she said.
Incidents like this lead children to “hate the colour they are and begin to hate who they are because they don’t fit in,” she noted.
It made M’Msafiri and her son fear for his safety.
Education is needed so children understand the historic context of racism and its impact, she said.
That’s why she visits schools to talk with students about bullying and inclusion.
It’s important that this education go beyond “Black excellence,” she said, which is where schools often focus.
Children should understand the challenges Black people have to overcome to achieve success, M’Msafiri said, and should know the ancestors of many Black people were slaves.
And they should be taught how the N-word was used to justify slavery, and that Black people were often called it while facing extreme violence, she added, so children understand why the word is threatening.
Ralph said UGDSB officials “agree that celebrating Black excellence must be paired with deeper learning about Black history and the lived realities of Black communities in the present day.”
M’Msafiri said the onus shouldn’t be on school boards alone to educate – it should begin at home. Parents should start by educating themselves – reading books and connecting with people in their community.
She said the local Black community in Fergus would host educational events if people reached out.
Learning about history and working to understand how it continues to impact people today helps people learn how to be more mindful and treat minorities with dignity and respect, she said.
“Our ancestors fought so hard,” she said, which makes it even more important to stand against racism today.
The impacts of racism are exacerbated in small communities, M’Msafiri said, as there is less diversity so kids may feel alone as one of few Black students in their schools and without Black teachers to turn to.
She said there isn’t enough diversity for most white children to have Black friends, which makes it even more important to educate them about people’s culture and background.
But Fergus is becoming more diverse so it’s important to create a community where everyone feels welcome, safe and included, M’Msafiri said.
“We are all human beings living in the same community,” she said. “We have a lot to offer, and our children will have a lot to offer.”
And Fergus has a lot to offer too, she said, and could build a strong reputation for being diverse and inclusive if people worked to educate themselves and their children.
