DCDSB Announces Introduction of New Grade 12 Course: Deconstructing Anti-Black Racism in the Canadian and North American Context

The Durham Catholic District School Board (DCDSB) is pleased to announce the addition of a new pilot course at three DCDSB secondary schools. Father Leo J. Austin Catholic Secondary School, Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School and St. Mary Catholic Secondary School will be offering Deconstructing Anti-Black Racism in the Canadian and North American Context beginning in the 2021-2022 school year. 

Deconstructing Anti-Black Racism in the Canadian and North American Context is a Grade 12 Contemporary and Interdisciplinary course that serves to equip students to identify and address systemic racism in all its forms. The course will provide a space in the classroom where students will engage in courageous and meaningful conversations about race. The essential goal of the course is to inform students and encourage them to take action to eradicate systemic racism and oppression.

Some of the topics that will be explored in this course include:

• Black History
• Black Excellence
• Allyship
• Oppression of various racialized and marginalized groups
• Origins of Black Stereotypes
• Critical Race Theory
• Contemporary matters
  • Black Lives Matter
  • Cancel Culture

A team of Toronto District School Board (TDSB) teachers created the Deconstructing Anti-Black Racism in the Canadian and North American Context course. This course was piloted in the TDSB in the 2020-2021 school year.

We are excited that an alumnus of DCDSB was an integral part of creating and leading this new course. D. Tyler Robinson, a Secondary Educator with the TDSB, is a graduate of Father Leo J. Austin Catholic Secondary School. Robinson was part of a team of educators who worked on creating and writing the curriculum for the Deconstructing Anti-Black Racism in the Canadian and North American Context course.

In the 2021-2022 school year, there are 51 schools in five different school boards who have committed to offering this course, and the number keeps rising.

“The introduction of the Deconstructing Anti-Black Racism in the Canadian and North American Context course in our secondary schools is another example of our commitment to Equity and to our Anti-Black Racism Strategy and Action Plan” said Susie Lee-Fernandes, Superintendent of Education. “We view this course as a tremendous opportunity to build capacity in our students and staff around the important issues surrounding the Black community and anti-Black racism.”

To learn more about the Deconstructing Anti-Black Racism in the Canadian and North American Context course, families with students attending Father Leo J. Austin Catholic Secondary School, Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School and St. Mary Catholic Secondary School are encouraged to contact their Guidance department.