Family Life Education
HIDDEN RACISM IN THE REGION OF PEEL
March 15, 2023
Literature Review and Demographic Analysis on Microaggression experienced by Black Youths
The Black population in the Region of Peel represents the second largest visible minority in the Region of Peel. It has steadily increased from 116,265 in 2011 to 137,295 in 2021, with a positive population growth of 18% over the last ten years. Migration is the main driving force behind the population increase in the Region of Peel, where Black families face new challenges in addressing their social, economic, educational, and healthcare needs.
The Peel Institute of Research and Training (PIRT), the research arm of Family Services of Peel (FSP), with the support of the Digital Citizen Contribution Program (DCCP) of the Department of Canadian Heritage, has conducted a literature review and demographic analysis. Online misinformation and disinformation were examined to determine how social media influence people’s perceptions of Black youth within the Region of Peel.
The literature review produced significant findings about the experiences of Black youth within the Region of Peel. Stereotypes of Black people portrayed in mainstream media have been perpetuated due to misinformation and disinformation on social media. These stereotypes contribute to racial microaggressions. Real-life consequences have been felt, within the education system and in daily life, in public and social spheres, in the workplace, in housing, in healthcare, in financial institutions, as well as with the police.
A demographic analysis was also conducted, examining the demographics of the Region of Peel. This analysis has determined where the highest concentrations of the Black population live in relation to the availability of Black-focused services. It also explored some of the critical life areas mentioned above, such as education, housing, and policing, to determine the Black population’s experiences in the Region of Peel and how they differ.
For more information, please contact:
Sandra Rupnarain Sam Doku
Executive Director Anti-Black Racism Coordinator
Family Life Education
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Program
Schools
Together Program
Active Parenting (AP)
This program offers free virtual workshops for parents and caregivers of children ages zero to 12.
• Ages 0 to 5 is a 4-week program held once a week for 2 hours
• Ages 6 to 12 is a 6-week program held once a week for 2 hours
Different topics are discussed each week, including:
• Parenting, communication, and discipline
• School success
• Child development at different stages
• Benefits of positive reinforcement as a parenting style
Families and Schools Together (F&ST)
The program is an innovative and collaborative prevention and parent involvement program in which whole families gather at school and participate in specific, fun, research-based activities aimed at strengthening families, empowering parents and building community. The start-up of the programme involves eight weekly multi-family meetings, which are held at a local school. The collaborative team is made up of a parent representative of the school community, school teachers, principal, a community-based mental health partner and a community-based substance abuse/ bullying facilitator. Families with a child between the ages of 4 and 9 participate in this program. The F&ST program is designed to strengthen bonds within the family, school and community.
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