Podcast appearances and mentions of Desmond Cole

The New Democratic Party needs a bold, democratic renewal—but insiders appear to want a short, rigged race to lock in the status quo.Desmond Cole and Martin Lukacs discuss the consultant class's grip on the party, and what a different kind of NDP might look like. 

Mark Carney has defeated Pierre Poilievre, but Conservatives did a lot better than expected.Martin Lukacs and Desmond Cole reflect on the gains and setbacks for the various parties, and explore how progressive forces can rally amidst a rightward-moving political consensus.

Harbinger Showcase is a weekly podcast featuring highlights from Canada's #1 coast-to-coast community of politically and socially progressive podcasts. On this episode we tune in to The Breach's election night coverage for sharp political analysis we wouldn't hear on establishment media with commentary from Luke Savage, Pam Palmater, El Jones, Emma Jackson, Donya Ziyaee, Martin Lukacs, Desmond Cole and others in this special highlight from their 4 hour April 28th livestream.  Find more journalism for transformation at breachmedia.ca.The Harbinger Media Network includes 83 podcasts focused on social, economic and environmental justice and featuring journalists, academics and activists on shows like The Breach Show, Tech Won't Save Us, Press Progress Sources & more.Harbinger Showcase is syndicated for community and campus radio and heard every week on CKUT 90.3FM in Montreal, at CFUV 101.9FM in Victoria, on CJUM 101.5FM and CKUW 95.9FM in Winnipeg, at CiTR 101.9FM and CFRO 100.5FM in Vancouver, at CJTM in Toronto and at CJBU 107.3FM in Sydney, Nova Scotia.  This episode is brought to you by the national independent journalism community unrigged.ca. and by The Alberta Advantage - find out more at albertadvantagepod.com.Find out more about the network, subscribe to the weekly newsletter and support our work at harbingermedianetwork.com.

Nearing the end of the 2025 federal election, the party leaders locked horns in back to back debates.Desmond Cole, El Jones, and Martin Lukacs debrief who came out well—and if it will have an impact on the polls.

With the federal election just a couple of weeks away, what will become of Canada's relationship with Indigenous peoples?Lawyer and professor Pam Palmater of the Eel River Bar First Nation joins Desmond Cole and Martin Lukacs on The Breach Show to discuss campaign promises and the future of reconciliation.

Almost two weeks into the Canadian federal election, Mark Carney's Liberals have consolidated their lead—but a Conservative victory shouldn't be ruled out just yet.Desmond Cole and Martin Lukacs discuss Carneymania and the quiet strength of the Conservatives, and get up to speed with campaign promises on housing, energy, and taxes.

A recent court ruling found the RCMP breached land defender Molly Wickham's Charter rights—but still upheld her criminal conviction for blocking the CGL pipeline.Wickham sits down with Desmond Cole to discuss Canada's colonial courts, police violence, and what she's learned from a decade of land defense.

Trump's threats of tariffs on Canada, China, and Mexico have wreaked havoc on US relations with its closest trade partners. While the tariffs against Canada and Mexico have been deferred by a month, lasting damage has likely been done to US relations with the only countries with which it shares land borders. The fallout of the trade spat is already remaking Canadian politics, with many wondering whether the dispute has truly ended given Trump's repeated calls for the US to annex its northern neighbor. How will all of this shape Canada's already tumultuous political situation, with Justin Trudeau having just announced that he was stepping down as the country's Prime Minister, with a high-stakes national election in October looming, and with Canada taking its own rightward political turn led by Pierre Poilievre? What impact will these trade wars have on working people across North America, and how can we fuse our common struggles across borders? Andrea Houston of Ricochet Media, Desmond Cole of The Breach, and independent journalist and founder of On The Line Media Samira Mohyeddin join The Real News for a cross-border discussion on US-Canadian relations, and the urgent need to build solidarity among US and Canadian workers in the face of Trump's destabilizing agenda.Help us continue producing radically independent news and in-depth analysis by following us and becoming a monthly sustainer.Sign up for our newsletterFollow us on BlueskyLike us on FacebookFollow us on TwitterDonate to support this podcastHost: Maximillian Alvarez Studio Production: Cameron Granadino, David Hebden, Adam Coley

With Ontario facing a snap election, we take a deep dive into more than six years of austerity and free market fundamentalism under Doug Ford.  Desmond Cole is joined by Bryan Evans, co-editor of Against the People: How Ford Nation is Dismantling Ontario, to break down the Ford playbook and unpack the damage done.

Harbinger Showcase is a weekly podcast featuring highlights from Canada's #1 coast-to-coast community of politically and socially progressive podcasts. This week we present a special full-length 55 minute The Breach Show episode featuring Desmond Cole and editor in chief Martin Lukacs reflecting on Justin Trudeau's near decade in power, from the initial psychic relief of Conservative Stepher Harper's ousting in 2015 to the Prime Minister's grim accumulation of symbolic posturing and assists to Canada's corporate elite, and even what Justin deserves real credit for.The Harbinger Media Network includes 77 podcasts focusing on social, economic and environmental justice and featuring journalists, academics and activists on shows like The Breach Show, Tech Won't Save Us, Press Progress Sources & more.Harbinger Showcase is syndicated for community and campus radio and heard every week on CKUT 90.3FM in Montreal, at CFUV 101.9FM in Victoria, on CJUM 101.5FM and CKUW 95.9FM in Winnipeg, at CiTR 101.9FM and CFRO 100.5FM in Vancouver, at CJTM in Toronto and at CJBU 107.3FM in Sydney, Nova Scotia.Financial support on this episode is courtesy of THE ALBERTA ADVANTAGE - find out more about Calgary's #1 podcast albertaadvantagepod.com. Find out more about the network, subscribe to the weekly newsletter and support our work at harbingermedianetwork.com.

Harbinger Showcase is a weekly podcast featuring highlights from Canada's #1 coast-to-coast community of politically and socially progressive podcasts. This week we present a special full-length 55 minute The Breach Show episode featuring Desmond Cole and editor in chief Martin Lukacs reflecting on Justin Trudeau's near decade in power, from the initial psychic relief of Conservative Stepher Harper's ousting in 2015 to the Prime Minister's grim accumulation of symbolic posturing and assists to Canada's corporate elite, and even what Justin deserves real credit for.The Harbinger Media Network includes 77 podcasts focusing on social, economic and environmental justice and featuring journalists, academics and activists on shows like The Breach Show, Tech Won't Save Us, Press Progress Sources & more.Harbinger Showcase is syndicated for community and campus radio and heard every week on CKUT 90.3FM in Montreal, at CFUV 101.9FM in Victoria, on CJUM 101.5FM and CKUW 95.9FM in Winnipeg, at CiTR 101.9FM and CFRO 100.5FM in Vancouver, at CJTM in Toronto and at CJBU 107.3FM in Sydney, Nova Scotia.Financial support on this episode is courtesy of THE ALBERTA ADVANTAGE - find out more about Calgary's #1 podcast albertaadvantagepod.com. Find out more about the network, subscribe to the weekly newsletter and support our work at harbingermedianetwork.com.

Desmond Cole and Martin Lukacs reflect on Justin Trudeau's almost decade in power, from the initial psychic relief of Conservative Stephen Harper's ousting to the grim accumulation of symbolic Liberal postures and assists to Canada's corporate elite. Plus, what Justin deserves real credit for.

From now until January 11, Writers Talking - a series of eight conversations from our archives.In his first book, The Skin We're In, journalist and activist Desmond Cole challenged the complacency of people who believe Canada is a post-racial nation. He chronicled one year in the struggle against racism in this country. In March 2020, Desmond Cole joined Lorraine Chisholm in the Coop Radio studios for a lively and engaging conversation about the realities that Black people face every day in Canada.

Harbinger Showcase is a weekly podcast featuring highlights from Canada's #1 coast-to-coast community of politically and socially progressive podcasts. On this week's episode Middle East analyst Mouin Rabbani discusses the expanding conflict in Syria and its broader implications for the region on PALESTINE DEBRIEF, Desmond Cole sits down with Mississauga mayor Carolyn Parrish to talk about out of control police budgets on THE BREACH SHOW, Duncan Kinney talks about Edmonton cops targeting Progress Alberta's journalism on 49th PARAHELL and The Maple labour scholar Adam D. King looks back on 2024 as a year of labour unrest and considers if the union movement should be thinking and planning beyond the Rand Formula on ALBERTA ADVANTAGE.The Harbinger Media Network includes 77 podcasts focusing on social, economic and environmental justice and featuring journalists, academics and activists on shows like The Breach Show, Tech Won't Save Us, Press Progress Sources & more.Harbinger Showcase is syndicated for community and campus radio and heard every week on CKUT 90.3FM in Montreal, at CFUV 101.9FM in Victoria, on CJUM 101.5FM and CKUW 95.9FM in Winnipeg, at CiTR 101.9FM and CFRO 100.5FM in Vancouver, at CJTM in Toronto and at CJBU 107.3FM in Sydney, Nova Scotia.Financial support on this episode is courtesy of THE ALBERTA ADVANTAGE - find out more about Calgary's #1 podcast albertaadvantagepod.com. Find out more about the network, subscribe to the weekly newsletter and support our work at harbingermedianetwork.com.

Harbinger Showcase is a weekly podcast featuring highlights from Canada's #1 coast-to-coast community of politically and socially progressive podcasts. On this week's episode Middle East analyst Mouin Rabbani discusses the expanding conflict in Syria and its broader implications for the region on PALESTINE DEBRIEF, Desmond Cole sits down with Mississauga mayor Carolyn Parrish to talk about out of control police budgets on THE BREACH SHOW, Duncan Kinney talks about Edmonton cops targeting Progress Alberta's journalism on 49th PARAHELL and The Maple labour scholar Adam D. King looks back on 2024 as a year of labour unrest and considers if the union movement should be thinking and planning beyond the Rand Formula on ALBERTA ADVANTAGE.The Harbinger Media Network includes 77 podcasts focusing on social, economic and environmental justice and featuring journalists, academics and activists on shows like The Breach Show, Tech Won't Save Us, Press Progress Sources & more.Harbinger Showcase is syndicated for community and campus radio and heard every week on CKUT 90.3FM in Montreal, at CFUV 101.9FM in Victoria, on CJUM 101.5FM and CKUW 95.9FM in Winnipeg, at CiTR 101.9FM and CFRO 100.5FM in Vancouver, at CJTM in Toronto and at CJBU 107.3FM in Sydney, Nova Scotia.Financial support on this episode is courtesy of THE ALBERTA ADVANTAGE - find out more about Calgary's #1 podcast albertaadvantagepod.com. Find out more about the network, subscribe to the weekly newsletter and support our work at harbingermedianetwork.com.

Mississauga Mayor Carolyn Parrish recently generated headlines when she stepped down from her local police services board, calling the city's escalating police budget “out of control.” Desmond Cole visits her office to discuss her resignation and the alternatives to policing.

Independent journalist Duncan Kinney of Progress Report was charged with mischief for allegedly spraypainting two monuments dedicated to Nazis and their collaborators—a charge he says the Edmonton Police have used to surveil and silence him. Kinney sits down with Desmond Cole to discuss his case.  To donate to Kinney's legal fund: https://www.gofundme.com/f/duncan-kinney-legal-defense-fund

Harbinger Showcase is a weekly podcast featuring highlights from Canada's #1 coast-to-coast community of politically and socially progressive podcasts.On this week's episode Desmond Cole speaks with United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories Francesca Albanese on THE BREACH SHOW, the panel examine the weather phenomenon of Fire Season and the end of "cheap nature on THE ALBERTA ADVANTAGE, the Council of Canadians detail the ways grassroots activism plays a role in the struggle to implement a national Pharmacare program on FREE CITY RADIO and the Wrong Boys celebrate their 10 year anniversary on SRSLY WRONG.The Harbinger Media Network includes 77 podcasts focusing on social, economic and environmental justice and featuring journalists, academics and activists on shows like The Breach Show, Tech Won't Save Us, Press Progress Sources & more.Harbinger Showcase is syndicated for community and campus radio and heard every week on CKUT 90.3FM in Montreal, at CFUV 101.9FM in Victoria, on CJUM 101.5FM and CKUW 95.9FM in Winnipeg, at CiTR 101.9FM and CFRO 100.5FM in Vancouver, at CJTM in Toronto and at CJBU 107.3FM in Sydney, Nova Scotia.Financial support on this episode is courtesy of THE ALBERTA ADVANTAGE. Find out more about Calgary's #1 podcast albertaadvantagepod.com.Find out more about the network, subscribe to the weekly newsletter and support our work at harbingermedianetwork.com.

Harbinger Showcase is a weekly podcast featuring highlights from Canada's #1 coast-to-coast community of politically and socially progressive podcasts.On this week's episode Desmond Cole speaks with United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories Francesca Albanese on THE BREACH SHOW, the panel examine the weather phenomenon of Fire Season and the end of "cheap nature on THE ALBERTA ADVANTAGE, the Council of Canadians detail the ways grassroots activism plays a role in the struggle to implement a national Pharmacare program on FREE CITY RADIO and the Wrong Boys celebrate their 10 year anniversary on SRSLY WRONG.The Harbinger Media Network includes 77 podcasts focusing on social, economic and environmental justice and featuring journalists, academics and activists on shows like The Breach Show, Tech Won't Save Us, Press Progress Sources & more.Harbinger Showcase is syndicated for community and campus radio and heard every week on CKUT 90.3FM in Montreal, at CFUV 101.9FM in Victoria, on CJUM 101.5FM and CKUW 95.9FM in Winnipeg, at CiTR 101.9FM and CFRO 100.5FM in Vancouver, at CJTM in Toronto and at CJBU 107.3FM in Sydney, Nova Scotia.Financial support on this episode is courtesy of THE ALBERTA ADVANTAGE. Find out more about Calgary's #1 podcast albertaadvantagepod.com.Find out more about the network, subscribe to the weekly newsletter and support our work at harbingermedianetwork.com.

Francesca Albanese, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories, sits down with Desmond Cole to discuss Canada's ‘crystal clear' complicity in the Israeli destruction of Gaza and the ‘hope that remains in this darkness.'

the one and only Desmond Cole (aka. one of our fav humans ever) joined us to talk harm reduction, white fragility, Libservativism, PM resignation rumours, and much more. for the few who don't already know, Cole is an award-winning journalist, the bestselling author of The Skin We're In and a fearless advocate for racialized communities. he was also recently awarded an Honourary Doctorate of Laws from Ontario Tech University in recognition of his leadership as one of Canada's strongest voices in anti-Black racism and for his work as an advocate, activist, and journalist. we're so grateful to our friend Desmond for taking the time to join us. be sure to check out his latest work through Yes, Everything! and please do yourself a favour and go buy a copy of his book. you'll thank(sgiving) us later. happy weird settler colonialism holiday weekend to all who celebrate btw :) -- City and Nuuchimii is an independent nonpartisan podcast created and co-hosted by Maïtée Saganash and Jenn Jefferys. Follow us @citynuuchimii or reach us at citynuuchimii@gmail.com.

On April 17, 2024 a pro-Palestine protest encampment was built at Columbia University where students called on their school to disclose and divest their investments in companies linked to Israel and its war on Gaza. This inspired a movement in universities across North America –and the globe– for students to create their own on-campus encampments.  After months of peaceful protest, the encampments at UofT, McGill, UOttawa have now been dismantled, but the pressure for divestment continues.  Today on rabble radio, freelance reporter Stephen Wentzell sits down with journalist and activist Desmond Cole to outline the misconceptions some had about the student encampments and what responsible reporting for Palestine looks like. Desmond Cole is a journalist, radio host, and activist. His debut book, The Skin We're In, won the Toronto Book Award and was a finalist for the Forest of Reading Evergreen Award and the Rakuten Kobo Emerging Writer Prize. It was also named a best book of 2020 by The Globe and Mail, NOW Magazine, CBC, Quill & Quire, and Indigo. Cole's writing has appeared in the Toronto Star, Toronto Life, The Walrus, and the Ottawa Citizen, among others. He lives in Toronto. Stephen Wentzell is a journalist based in New York City covering politics, social issues, and the criminal legal system. A former national politics reporter at rabble.ca, Stephen has also worked at publications including CTV Atlantic and CityNews Halifax. In 2023, Stephen began studying at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at the City University of New York, where he is concentrating in local accountability journalism, as well as health and science reporting. When he's not working, Stephen can be found snuggling with his cat Benson and watching the latest episode of the Real Housewives. If you like the show please consider subscribing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you find your podcasts. And please, rate, review, share rabble radio with your friends — it takes two seconds to support independent media like rabble. Follow us on social media across channels @rabbleca.

On December 1, 2023, Charles Officer passed away at age 48. The award-winning filmmaker was revered in the national arts community, having directed documentaries such as Invisible Essence, about the cultural impact of The Little Prince, and The Skin We're In, a film adaptation of author Desmond Cole's popular essay on racism in Canada. His movies were purposeful and personal, tackling topical issues with incisive commentary and deep research. The 2024 Hot Docs film festival in Toronto will be commemorating Officer's life with a tribute screening of his 2010 film Might Jerome on May 4, including a Q&A panel with some of his industry colleagues. Two friends and collaborators join Culturally Jewish to describe Officer's unique life as a Black Jewish arts worker in Canada: Jake Yanowski, who cofounded the production company Canesugar Filmworks with Officer, and Michael Levine, one of Canada's foremost literary agents. Credits Culturally Jewish is hosted by Ilana Zackon and David Sklar. Our producer is Michael Fraiman, and our theme music is by Sarah Segal-Lazar. We're a member of The CJN Podcast Network. To support The CJN and receive a charitable tax receipt, please consider a monthly donation by clicking here.

In this episode co-produced with Munk School Black Students Association (MSBSA), Adhithya and Dan focused on four monumental Black Canadians: Lincoln Alexander, Jean Augustine, Desmond Cole, and Viola Desmond. Following this, Faith and Amie from MSBSA interviewed Kofi Hope about his accomplishments and impacts in Toronto. Tune in for more empowering stories and join us in celebrating Black History Month! 

Desmond Cole, journalist, organizer, activist and author of The Skin We're In, provides a thoughtful analysis on where the Defund the Police movement is right now. It is hard to hear at times, but incredibly constructive. It is more of a discussion of where we need to go than lamenting on past political choices.Although, we do start off by asking Desmond how he feels about Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow's decision to aware the Toronto Police Services every penny they asked for. Considering the article he wrote for Ricochet right after the election, we weren't all that surprised by his answer. Find out if he thinks enough was done between Chow's victory and the first budget, and what needs to be done next. We also discuss the harm police do, both with their violence and the suppression of tactics used to keep power in check. It specifically includes just some the stories of the many young men in Canada harmed at the hand of Police, like Devon Fowlin and Sammy Yatim.All of our content is free - made possible by the generous sponsorships of our Patrons. If you would like to support us: PatreonFollow us on InstagramResources: CBC: Police Shootings Spectacularly IncreasingWith Olivia Chow, Toronto might be worth fighting for | RicochetJournalist Desmond Cole Asks: Do Black Lives Matter in Canada?Fundraiser by Desmond Cole : Help Devon Fowlin continue his recovery

Marxist scholar Shama Rangwala and activist and journalist Desmond Cole discuss rocks, fish, birds, women, the 2017 action-adventure game The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and what it's like to publicly embrace being a gamer on so-called Canada's #1 leftist pop culture podcast.

Marxist scholar Shama Rangwala and activist and journalist Desmond Cole discuss rocks, fish, birds, women, the 2017 action-adventure game The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and what it's like to publicly embrace being a gamer on so-called Canada's #1 leftist pop culture podcast.

If you support or oppose defunding the police, if the term "woke" makes you swell up with pride... or if it makes your blood boil - you will want to hear this interview with Desmond Cole. The successful author, activist and journalist is in town for both the Lawnya Vawnya festival and a Riddle Fence magazine writing workshop. (Anthony Germain with Desmond Cole)

Harbinger Society Presents presents a terrifying excerpt from our October 30th I KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST TELETHON. This episode you'll hear Replay's Shama Rangwala and Desmond Cole talk pop culture, racial capitalism and the unmatched excellence of Toronto's water quality, then The Alberta Advantage advocate for gamers rights in a provocative and competitive survivor round of Left For Dead. Harbinger is excited to launch its 2022 fundraising campaign in partnership with @readBTLbooks. They're sending a free book to the first 50 new members who support the network at $100/year! Harbinger Media Network: https://harbingermedianetwork.com/join Watch the full 12 hour telethon at https://www.twitch.tv/videos/1638776642 Leave us a voicemail! https://podinbox.com/pullback Website: https://www.pullback.org/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/PullbackPodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pullbackpodcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PullbackPodcast/  Pullback is produced and hosted by Kristen Pue and Kyla Hewson. Logo by Rachel Beyer and Evan Vrinten.

The bone-chilling I KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST TELETHON continues with volume V as Replay's Shama Rangwala and Desmond Cole talk pop culture, racial capitalism and the unmatched excellence of Toronto's water quality, then The Alberta Advantage advocate for gamer's rights in a provocative and competitive survivor round of Left For Dead. Hear the full 6 part series at our flagship community show Harbinger Society Presents and on the Harbinger Spotlight network highlight show, both available wherever you get your podcasts. Watch the full 12 hour telethon production at https://www.twitch.tv/videos/1638776642

The bone-chilling I KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST TELETHON continues with volume V as Replay's Shama Rangwala and Desmond Cole talk pop culture, racial capitalism and the unmatched excellence of Toronto's water quality, then The Alberta Advantage advocate for gamer's rights in a provocative and competitive survivor round of Left For Dead. Hear the full 6 part series at our flagship community show Harbinger Society Presents and on the Harbinger Spotlight network highlight show, both available wherever you get your podcasts. Watch the full 12 hour telethon production at https://www.twitch.tv/videos/1638776642

El Jones, Desmond Cole, and Ricardo Lamour talk about the use of the N-word on a program on Radio-Canada in Quebec in 2020, and the debate surrounding the CRTC's majority decision.

Replay is a podcast exploring how popular culture shapes our world. On a new episode activist and writer Desmond Cole and cultural studies scholar Shama Rangwala discuss how Michael Moore's 2002 film Bowling for Columbine remains as relevant as ever on its 20th anniversary. Show Notes and Links: Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community http://bowlingalone.com/ Five myths about the national rifle association https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/five-myths/five-myths-about-the-national-rifle-association/2020/06/05/fa3bc488-a66c-11ea-bb20-ebf0921f3bbd_story.html Texas cops' claims unravel: Police didn't "engage" Uvalde shooter — but they cuffed scared parents https://www.salon.com/2022/05/27/texas-cops-claims-unravel-police-didnt-engage-uvalde-shooter--but-they-cuffed-scared-parents/ Guns Don't Kill People, Settlers Do: The Second Amendment and the Myth of Defense https://www.pyriscence.ca/home/2018/6/18/guns-dont-kill-people-settlers-do-the-second-amendment-and-the-myth-of-defense Loaded: A Disarming History of the Second Amendment https://birchbarkbooks.com/products/loaded Man shot dead by Toronto police after schools locked down had pellet gun, police watchdog says https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/pellet-gun-man-dead-toronto-schools-lockdowns-1.6467895 Days after the Uvalde shooting, the NRA convention went on as planned https://www.npr.org/2022/05/29/1101994074/nra-convention-houston-ends e-mail the show at replaythepod@gmail.com or on twitter at @ReplayThePod

A new collection launching in April 2022 from Between the Lines Books is bringing together a range of essays anchored in experience and solidarity with those putting their lives on the line to fight for police abolition in Canada. On Harbinger Society Presents ep33 University of Winnipeg criminal justice scholar Kevin Walby and University of Toronto sociology of criminalization professor Julius Haag join host Andre Goulet to discuss their contributions to the book 'Police Use of Force in Canada: Dispelling the Myth of Difference' and 'Against the Social Harms of Policing'. Order the book now at https://btlbooks.com/book/disarm-defund-dismantle RSVP to attend the virtual book launch event hosted by Desmond Cole and El Jones at https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/disarm-defund-dismantle-online-launch-tickets-311282583587

A new collection launching in April 2022 from Between the Lines Books is bringing together a range of essays anchored in experience and solidarity with those putting their lives on the line to fight for police abolition in Canada. On Harbinger Society Presents ep33 University of Winnipeg criminal justice scholar Kevin Walby and University of Toronto sociology of criminalization professor Julius Haag join host Andre Goulet to discuss their contributions to the book 'Police Use of Force in Canada: Dispelling the Myth of Difference' and 'Against the Social Harms of Policing'. Order the book now at https://btlbooks.com/book/disarm-defund-dismantle RSVP to attend the virtual book launch event hosted by Desmond Cole and El Jones at https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/disarm-defund-dismantle-online-launch-tickets-311282583587

Angela:You I have I've had troubles with the word microaggression, I've had troubles with it for quite some time. We hear, I think I've been hearing it more and more over the last few years in particular, the last year, I've been hearing it a lot more in the workplace. And because people are trying to be woke or aware, but the reality of living it, it's not micro,Patty:right. it's not meaningless.Angela:And so when we, for me, when we talk about it as a micro thing, the parallel is that when somebody is behaving that way, it becomes a dialogue or a narrative of that person's too sensitive, or I didn't mean anything by it. So I don't know what the big deal about it is, or, well, you know, she's just bringing it up, because she's hurt. And it's not, it's not about being hurt, it's about every instance of those things that have transpired over your life for a long period of time, continuing to open a wound of a larger viewpoint that you don't belong, or there's something not quite right with you, or those, we have to contain you, as opposed to the larger picture that you're not wanted to hear. And, or you're not wanted to be a participant in that society, or that structure in within the society.And so, for me, when I've been looking at this end, a lot of my writing over the last year has been about microaggressions, because of experiencing it, and while, you know, a lot lot different areas of my life. I go back to the beginning point of erasure. So, the eraser of, of my identity. So you know, being born, being taken from my Black mother, my birthday being changed, my name being changed, and my Black mother not being allowed to take me back to Jamaica, or make arrangements for me to go to Jamaica, because realizing that it's, she's going to lose me, right?So, and then that whole erasure are going to a small community where there's no people of color. And so I think one of the biggest macro regressions you can do to transracial adoptee, is to put them in a white family and not have any mentors. And, and so in that, you know, that whole, it becomes a series of events from from earlier in your childhood, basically, from your birth, to try to unpack, and try to find a place within living in a social structure that doesn't include you. And so how do we find that?So, you know, my writing is about that, but it's also that place of moving from that place to a place of where do you find your place within all of that, so that you can actually have good mental health? Is that possible? You know, and what is the generational impact of that?When I watched my, my son growing up, and facing these horrible aggressions, as a Black Indigenous child, young man, he's not a child. He's a young man.And I was, you know, I was gonna, with all that, you know, been paying attention to and relistening to interviews from in particular Robin Maynard and Desmond Cole, and defund the police. I’ve been listening to a lot of that lately. And I was framing an essay around around the police involvement in my life, and what and the transition of that from being a young young girl in kindergarten to late teens, early 20s. And that, and that experience, and so I never really thought much about it. But I've thought more and more about it by watching my son get stopped by the police. Recently, you know, in, in his teenage years, he shared with me recently that the reason he decided to go bald, from the time he was like 14 to 20 was because he found that he got stopped less by the police. So, I thought, yeah, and it didn't help. He still got stopped a lot. As he's got a look that people quite don't know. You know what he is right? Which is really a horrible thing to say. But that's,Patty: I don't know, they don't know where he belongs,  do you belong in this neighborhood? Or do you work in this neighborhood? What do you look like, you know, do you look like the people who live here? Do you look like the people who work here? You know, do you look like the people who you know who I think are going to be dangerous here. You know? Who have no business being here.In the book Traces of History that I did that I just finished, he, he quotes a woman who's saying, you know, when we talk about dirt? Well, all we're really talking about is things out of place. Right? That's all we're really talking about, you know, you know, things are, you know, I don't particularly object to dirt, you know, being out in my yard, I don't want it, I don't want it in my living room, I'm gonna vacuum it, I'm gonna say that it's dirty, you know, or dust or, you know, any of the things that my dogs drag like they have their place.And you know, and as, you know, racially marginalized people we're dirt, we're out of place. And we know, you know, so you know, to be racially marginalized, in the colonial West, is to be forever out of place, you know, whether you're Black or Indigenous, or some combination, you're out of place, you know, you're meant to be erased, you're meant to be moved around, you're meant to be, you know, you're meant to serve, particularly, you know, serve sort of particular purposes.And, and I am increasingly using the term racially marginalized, as opposed to just racialized because when I say that somebody is racialized, I'm still centering whiteness as not being racialized. Right? And, you know, so it's more words, and it takes up more, you know, more characters on Twitter. But yeah, that's okay. But I feel like, you know, that's just something because when I, because that's what we were racially marginalized, and it's the race has pushed us to the margins and centered whiteness, but their whiteness is racialized as well to its own purpose. So that's just kind of explaining a little bit about my language.Angela:Well, I like that when you say “to its own purpose” to clarify, because I think that that's important in when we share and talk about our stories into in particular, and I'll use your term racially marginalized. And, you know, I really wanted to talk about the police stuff, because it occurred to me how early that involvement is, like, I never really thought about it.But when I was working on this essay, I was talking about, you know, when I, when I was five years old, I was pretty determined young person, which probably got me a lot of trouble with my mother. But I was very determined so. And I really liked school. I like being at school much more than I like being in my parents’ home. So I was just set to go to school, and it was a PD day or some holiday or something. So I got up. And my, you know, mind you, my parents had three kids, they adopted four Black kids, so they, you know, and I was the youngest, so they somehow missed me in that whole thing. So I got dressed, and I went to school. And I didn't even notice that there wasn't anybody else. Any kids walking to school, I was just on my own determined to get to see my kindergarten teacher because I loved her, I was absolutely in love with this teacher. So anyways, I get to the school. And there's no school, I can't get into school. And I feel that I'm locked out. Like, I feel like nobody wanted me. So I'm crying. And I'm trying to get into school, and I'm banging on the doors. And finally I decide to leave and I'm walking up the path to go back to my parents house and a police car shows up. And the police says, “Are you Angela?” And I said, “Yes.” “Your mother's looking for you.” So I get in the back of the car, and I go home.And so the idea is framed in my mind is that the police saved me they from what I'm not sure, but they saved me from something. And you know, a couple years later, my favorite bike, my parents bought me this bike and I love this bike was stolen one weekend when we were away. So when we got back from this trip, the first thing I wanted to see is if my bike was okay, so I run and get, I look for my bike and it's not there. So my parents called the police and two weeks later they find my bike. And I overhear the conversation with the police. And what they say to the to my parents is we found in somebody’s back yard, not off the Herkimer drive and and they were “known to us.” So this is a very this is a key that they were “known to us.”So years go by and I'm 12/13 years old, and I'm out playing with my friends and my parents knew where I was the police show up. And they the police knew exactly where I was. So my parents knew exactly where I was, but they called the police to come and get me to bring me home rather than getting into the car. And this is what I'm setting up and what you know, Robyn Maynard talks about in terms of the police being involved with, you know, overly involved with people that are in care, right. And my parents used the police as part of their parenting, so they the police would show up and bring me home.And it and it didn't occur to me at the time, like I was embarrassed that this wasn't happening to any my white friends. So I was the only Black kid there, I was the only person of color. And so the police would come, and they would pick me up and take me home. And every now and again, my father would joke about well, I was at the mall, well, we weren't sure if we needed to call the police to come and get you. And as we got a bit older, my mother she had, by this point, she'd gone back to school. And later, in probably 48-ish, she went back to school, got her grade 12 became a social worker, and became very involved the police because she, part of her work was investigating social welfare fraud at the time.So she continued to use the police to parent her Black children. So, every time I use the phone, there was a card by the phone, it was taped to the wall that had inspector so and so's name. And it got to the point where I stopped using that phone, I wouldn’t go downstairs and use the phone because I always saw that I move out of the house when I was 16. I'm on my own, I get into some trouble. Not bad trouble. But I get into some trouble. I was drunk and I broke somebody’s door and you know, stupid teen stuff. But this person where I'm staying called the police, because I broke the door rather than have a conversation with me. She called the police. And so the first thing that police said to her, “Oh, we know Angela Gray, she's known to us.” And this person tells me that and I'm thinking how am I known to them. I've never been arrested. I've never shoplifted not at that time. But by that point, like I'd never been arrested. You know, the only involvement that they had with me was because of my parents’ use of them to help parent.And so we carry, you know, I've carried this idea of the police as being the savior. And by that point, by the time I was 16, I was petrified of the police, to the point where if I saw a police car drive by, I would duck and hide. And I did that pretty much up until my son was born. And then I had to just sort of get over that because I needed to use the police. And in the end, they actually really helped me. But that feeling still hasn't gone away. And that feeling is still in that involvement is still in my life today, even though they're not tracking me down they’re tracking my son.You know, he was out for we thought that this had stopped and earlier in the year us out for dinner with his girlfriend. And the police saw his girlfriend and then saw him outside of the restaurant came into the restaurant and ask them for ID and pull their computer up, set it up on the bar and searched to see if he had, probably if he had any priors, in front of everybody in this restaurant when he was trying to have a nice dinner.And there's a few things that came to mind here for me is nobody said anything. Not even the waiter or the manager, nobody said anything. And he came into the bathroom and called me. And he was so distraught by it, that he thought he was disturbing me, his mother who loves him the most in the world. He apologized to me for calling me about a really horrific situation.And so I bring that up in that this is the programming that happens with this stuff, and puts us at outside of society thinking that there's something wrong with us.  We’re not quite right, these thoughts. I had this dialogue with my therapist a couple weeks ago, because I'm dealing with some of this in in a couple areas of my life dealing with these significant microaggressions and trying to unpack them to find my voice in them so that I can stand up for myself and not be taking it on. And so what comes up for me though, is that there's still that little voice that there's something not quite right. There's something kind of off about me. And I have to correct myself and say, we need to unpack the larger society, the colonialism, all of that stuff that is not quite right.And how do we come back to ourselves and continue to unpack that so that it's not taking up our entire weekend? I was dealing with a board member from a volunteer organization all weekend because I called her out on her microaggression towards me. And what I was met with was some horrible, horrific emails.Patty: They always say, I'm not racist, I'm not racist.Angela:And you're insulting me that you're calling me out on poor behavior, and you're just sensitive. Right? And other people will chime in and say, well, Angela, I understand that you're hurt. And I'm, no, no, no, I am not hurt. This is not about hurt. The issue is much deeper than this. And I'm not going to do it in an email dialog. But if you want to talk to me about it, I will talk to you. Right. And these are the things that we have to keep unpacking and correcting and living our lives and then eat this thing. What's the point? Why am I doing this?Patty: Yeah, yeah, it's exactly what and then when you talk about the police, you know, being known to police, you know, 16 years of child welfare, that's got consequences. Right, like you call, you know, like, you know, like, you get a police report about something, because in some neighborhoods, people are just in each other's business all the time. And so they're calling the police, because they can't parent, they can't problem solve. So they call on the police all the time, because, you know, they can't find their, you know, you know, they go get their kid, or, you know, they're having a dispute with a neighbor or something. And then if there's children within eyesight of a cop, those they send that report into child welfare.And then, and then that phrase, they're known to us, they're known to us. And it could be completely benign, like what you're describing, it's parents that are using the police to parent their child, or because you can't, or because your neighbor can't problem solve and calls the police on you all the time. Right. And yet, that little phrase, they're known to us, they're known to us. And that gets interpreted a very particular way in child welfare.  Now try it now try to get rid of this, now try to get rid of the social worker, something, something must Something must be going on, something must be going on. We don't know what it is yet, but we're going to find out, something must be going on.And that's, you know, when you know what you even say, you know, you've got a, you know, you got help, you know, the one time that you, you know, you needed them, and they were helpful to you. And I know, you know, Kerry and I had had a good experience, you know, you know, in our working relationship, but wouldn't it be nice if they were non carceral systems where people could get that kind of support. Just because just because we got a little bit of help here and there from the systems, that's how they suck us in. That doesn't legitimize them.Kerry: It's so interesting, like, I've just been really listening to you, Angela, and your story. And first, I just want to mention and witness you, as you've moved through the process. You know, I'm, I feel it very deeply, because your story, you know, has been very similar. There are some tendrils that make a lot of sense, in my own experiences with having to deal with the police as well. And I know that it's just that commonality, that space of being Black and dealing with, you know, officers, and that system is a factor, it's just what we have to do as people of color to grapple with the space.I know even till this day, and I like you had have like this very conflicted relationship with the, with police, because literally, they they have saved my life when I was in a very detrimental situation. I however, it took, I had to go 20 times before I got it there. There was a lot of disregard in some of it. But when I finally got it, it came through and it won for me. So I have this conflicted space, but I also and even now, when a police officer drives past me, I flinch. It is I am still dealing with some of the residual because as I've had that positive experience, I've also had some very negative ones where you know, the neighborhood I live in presently presently. Is is all white. There's myself and another family, there's probably a subdivision about 500 houses, there's another family, there's an I just found out one moved in. So there's three of us out of about 500 houses.And we used to very often notice officers just driving by, sitting at the end of our line that was involved in the system and had some things going on. But since that cleared up, and it's been about a year, now, I've noticed that there's no more officers anywhere in the vicinity of where I live, whereas about at least three times a week, one would sit somewhere, and we're a very quiet crescent, it's a very quiet little crescent, cul de sac, it doesn't make any sense that they would be here on the regular, you know, so, um, you know, those experiences are, are really hard. And I could tell there's, there's so many I lived, I have our came from a family where we had five young men, teenagers, and it would be without fail. One of those young men, and my husband, somebody would be stopped by the police at least once a week and asked for IDAngela:and, and that whole thing, right? Like that, that whole space of public humiliation to be stopped outside of your house to be, you know, and it crosses over from, you know, that sort of involvement, but from the police and the, the taking on of the role in say retail, right? So it wasn't very long ago is about three or four years ago, I was walking into a store. On my way home from work, I was walking home, and I thought, oh, that place has some funky shirts. I think I go in there. And I was outside looking on the rack. And the store owner came out. And he looked at me and he says, Yeah, I don't think we have anything in the store that fits you.Kerry: You know, I had an experience in one of our local stores recently, my daughter and I, this was before the for this last lockdown. We were in a drugstore. That's what I'll say, in our region. And we were by the makeup section, looking for a lipstick I think it was and we got the exact same response. I was looking for our particular red. And they were like, Yeah, we don't have it. But then when I looked around, I was like, it's right there. And they were like, No, we don't, we don't have it. And I was like, but it's right there. That's exactly the color I looked it up before it got here. And she was like no, because it had to be they had it behind the case. And she was like, No, that's not it. Sorry. And because I was like, I'm gonna leave this to Jesus moment, I was having to leave it to Jesus moment. Instead of instead of, you know, I just I just decided I was going to leave the store.But that is the reality of some of how we have to exist. And in fact, there's another one more story before we we can you know, move on. I have I mentioned to you that there's another family that moved into this area. And she she bought a house on the street. That's pretty it's really a private kind of section of this subdivision. And you know, the houses were this neighborhoods about 30 years old, most people don't move so she just recently purchased and you know what have stood out like, you know, she's new. She was bought, bought her groceries, opening her front door trying to get in and a car drove past her and slowed down, took a big old look then sped off and sped away. within about five minutes. She was taking the her you know, stuff out she has three kids so you know you're gonna have a whole pile of stuff. within about five minutes. Two officers pulled up at the front door and said they had had a report of somebody breaking into this house.Angela:*sighs*Patty: Right. So nice to feel welcome and safe.Angela:In 2021,Kerry: and I think, you know, when we speak about these incidences, we're recognizing that there there's been some sort of shift, I think, you know, some people have that felt really brazen, in the realm of watching what has happened in the United States, and when Trump was in power, I almost think that there was like a refueling of this space, where, you know, people thought they can be bright and outright with with some of this racist dialogue,Patty: For sure, he normalized it and empower them. And I admit, I had there was a woman on Facebook I was engaging with, she had made a comment that, you know, it was so easy to, you know, she'd give this to Trump, you know, having it out in the open, where we could see, we could see the ugly racism. And I was trying to get her to understand that one if she had just been listening to Black and Indigenous people all along, right. None of this is new. You know, Standing Rock and Ferguson, I never tire of reminding people Standing Rock and Ferguson happened on Obama's watch, having a Black man in the White House, did not save Black people did not save Indigenous people having Deb Haaland, she might be a great pick, but having her as the head of the Minister of the Interior, whatever they are, will not save the Indians. Right. She's not even the first Ely Parker was right first. Curtis came after him, he was a vice president. So she's not the first and but you know, these things, you know, these, these things don't save us.And yet, you know, she didn't, she didn't get what I was trying to tell her is that having it out, and normalized and empowered, is killing us. People are literally dying. Because as you said, Kerry, these white supremacist feel empowered, they can act on it, they think, you know, they don't have they don't have to be in secret anymore. I like them better when they were secret, and not burning s**t down and shooting everybody. Please go back underground and keep your s**t to yourself. I know you're there. I know, you're there. The racisms still happen. The police are still who they are. The systems are still in place. But I like you better when you're quiet. And you're not in my space.Kerry: This is not doing us a favor. When you're working in that kind of stealth, you understood that there was maybe a semblance of a chance for a consequence. But when you are just bracing with your stuff, that tells us that we have now stepped up into a level. Now, when you're outright like that, there, there is that sense of of knowing that we I've for me, we've crossed that boundary, you know, where we got to really almost level up now. Because the reality of the truth is, if you're if you can feel so bright with yourself, then that means that there's an inference that the system is working on a level that is keeping us you know, having to be directly in this confrontation.And yeah, and I'm I'm recognizing though I'm enjoying some of the dialogues. I was looking up I've been watching a young woman, Kim Foster, from For Harriet, she's she's a YouTube, a young woman, brilliant, brilliant young woman. She talks quite a bit about pop culture, but she's a feminist. And she's a Black feminist. And she is very much about dissecting these kinds of issues. And she had on and did an incredible talk about restorative justice, with I'm just looking it up but she had this incredible talk. And what they were talking about is completely pulling down and decriminalized, not just decriminalizing, but abolishing the system and what it could potentially look like when we you know, replace it or, you know, whatever that realm would be knowing that you know, going in with the understanding and the knowing that it's kind of a trial and error space, you know what I mean that you we may have to try many things before we could reconstruct or create something that is going to value and create real sense of justice.Because what what was mentioned in it, and I thought it was powerful is that she was saying that, you know, for many people, especially they were talking in particular about using it in domestic or intimate partner violence. And that's something that's near and dear to my heart. But what she was speaking about is that for most people, sometimes you get that sense that feeling of completeness, when you, you know, your your partner has been punished, and it's punitive. But a lot of the time, in those kinds of systems, you still come out, even if your partner goes through it, without that sense of feeling completed, that you really have had justice served. And what I thought was so brilliant about that conversation was what she was interested in, the lawyer that she was speaking to, was interested in creating a space that was based upon what the want of the person who had had the injustice done to them, what would be their idea of justice, you know, for some, it may be, you know, you lock them up for 50 years, and, and that be one end of it. But for others, it might be the apology and writing the right. Do you know what I'm saying, um, maybe it's you paying for my counseling that I may need, because you've caused me this harm. Maybe it would be, you know, paying these damages. But what I thought was so wonderful was that it gave the options, the idea of really going with who, and what my desires and wants would be, after I've been through a space like that, versus it being, you know, a system that throws everybody in and may, you know, not deal with the needs at all, in fact, or create huger chasms for people who are going through those spaces.And we know that, you know, like, especially in a space like domestic violence, a lot of the times an officer is probably not necessarily the first point of contact, or are the best point of contact, right? Wouldn't it be great to have somebody who has the training, understand what is happening, because we know, for many people, you don't leave on that first try or those first incidences, and dealing with the whole scope of what happens when we're moving through a situation that can be so layered in the way that we look at it?You know, I just, I just when we talk about this conversation, of being, because to me, we're talking macro aggressions. And a lot of the ways you're right, the micro and the macro pulled together, what what is not, I think, often address is the deep layers of ongoing trauma that these exposures cause us. You know, it is it's ongoing, it's, it's, it's just like a, you know, it's like the, the this heavy load that sits on our shoulders in every moment, I never know, like, the other day, an officer pulled up behind me. And I remember just doing this my instant sense, and everything's good. I'm not worried. But until he went around me, I'm like, ooh. And it shouldn't, I shouldn't have to have those sensations. And that's still after having a positive look.But I remember the 20 times that I'm, you know, my 12 year old, got pulled over over the space of five years. You know, like, I remember those incidences, I remember having to take the the numbers and the badge names down of all of these different officers when they were approaching us. I remember an officer, like we were in the middle of an emergency situation, and trying to defuse it amongst our own, amongst a group of Black kids and my husband getting hauled down and put in on the ground, even though he was the one that was being able to mitigate the situation. But you know, the colors all the same. And it's, it's those experiences that have left that imprint in the space of this. And I just really think there has to be a better way that we can engage and create different spaces for this. I'm all for abolition, like abolish, abolition. abolishing police and and that system, it doesn't serve us in the best way? And what would it be to allocate these funds into, you know, the work and the trauma work, especially amongst our communities that have been marginalized, we so don't get access to some of those resources that would help us go through and create the healing that we still need.Patty: And that's that that's actually one of the big critiques about restorative justice work, is when you put it back on the victim to say, okay, you know, you, you know, what do you want? What do you need, what you're getting what you're what you're getting from them as a trauma response. You're getting your get your, and you're making it there, you're making everyone's healing the victims responsibility, particularly in domestic violence cases. But in any case, where you've been wronged when now, you know, so there's other model models out there where somebody takes responsibility for the wrong door. And the purpose then is healing. So the person who's taken responsibility for the wrongdoer is basically working with that person. And when they come together, it's basically How's everybody's healing going? Are we there? Do we still need more time? Do you feel safe? What do you need to feel safe? You know, and, and, you know, and then those people are the ones that are saying, okay, you know, what this, he's, he's still got a lot of work to do, she still got a lot of work to do, we're not there yet. And so there's space for the victim to talk about what they need and how they need to feel safe. But the ultimate, you know, the, the ultimate burden of restoration or healing is on that other person and whoever is responsible for them. Because it is a trauma response, we've dealt with a lot. We've dealt with a lot, particularly when we get to that place. And so I'm not opposed to restorative justice work. But there's just been a lot of critique around that model of putting it all on putting it all on the victim.Kerry: Well, I believe that a part of that discussion, and I love that we can have that conversation, because I think it's very individualized. And I think that the the idea that one model fits all, is it a part of where this fails? For me, you know, what I mean? Where the system has failed, is that my response and even how I'm going to show up in my trauma may not be the same as somebody else. Right. So I think that, you know, there's a lot to flesh out. I think that it would be, as we said, that idea of recognizing that there isn't going to be a one necessarily a one sock fits all. But But I love the idea of having those conversations, and figuring out what will work what what, you know, what,Patty: what does, what does this situation need? What are the harms that have been done and what does this situation need?Kerry: There are some cases where absolutely, you know, like, I'm not speaking personally, but I was very glad that some people got locked up around my space, I was very glad it was needed, you know. And, and that was justice for me. But I could also see how, for some of it, there, we there, there could have been more, right. And I and I just wish that those opportunities, these dialogues were available in those spaces. And I'm very encouraged that no matter what the you know, we come up with, we're starting to talk about it, we're starting to offer new ways of coming up with something that's just different than a system that we know, feeds very deeply into a capitalist agenda of, you know, putting people in jail so that they can create goods and commodities, we at least we're starting to have those conversations. Now how that's serving us in the interim. Um, you know, that's, that's still the work in progress, I guess.Angela:I think that, you know, from one of the things that I continue to go back to, in particular, when I was going through the police legal stuff around my adoptive family, in particular, my job for parents, is that and we, I grew up believing that the legal system was a justice system. And until we as, as a community as a people can reconcile that, if we need it will make space to have those deeper conversations about what it could be. But we're not living in that world we're living in a legal system that doesn't create justice. So we need to stop thinking that that's what his purposes I don't think that that for me, I don't think that that's what the purpose is for that system.So to talk about changing something, the conversation has to be a the broader conversations, and almost maybe from a from philosophy, philosophy perspective around really what justice and democracy is, what is it? Because we're not, we're not living that. And we're certainly not living it as it was construed, you know, from our Greek and Italian philosophers. And I just go back there because I have an interest in philosophy, I think we can have some greater discussions around democracy. And there's actually a really great the National Film Board put out a really good documentary called what is what is democracy. And it goes through everything that we're talking about in terms of our legal system and our prison system. And, and, you know, where is the space for the victim to have a conversation, a meet, and I don't know what that could be. Because I can sit down and say, there's no way that I could have a conversation with my adoptive parents, even though at one time I wanted that, because until somebody is able to recognize the harm that they've done to another, we can't have these conversations. And so what do we do in the interim? I do think that money should be taken away from the police and put into community resources that just makes sense, like this just not make sense like to havePatty: How does that not make sense. It makes sense to everybody except police and people who want to keep their neighborhoods white. Those are the only people that it makes sense to, or that it doesn't that they want the police to keep having money.Angela:Right. But I do in terms of the micro aggressions and the macro aggressions when I was talking to a lawyer recently, who she's not she's my friend, she's a good friend. And she sometimes we have these discussions she's bring brings in it from a lawyer, and and somewhat of a justice perspective, cuz she's a human rights lawyer. But one of the things she was talking to me about in a situation that I then I'm currently struggling with and working through is what, when this all gets sorted out? What's going to be given to you like, are they going to provide you with some extra counseling? Are they going to, you know, pay for some days off? Like, what are they going to give to you for having to experience a situation for the last 20 months.And I think that in these systems, what I'm learning is that it's hard to voice those things. When I watch my son, you know, you should do something about this. And he's like, it's wrong. So I'm not going to go up against the police. What do you think they're going to do the next time when they look at me in the system? And know? And fair enough, right? And when we have these systems, how do we voice our concerns in a way that doesn't continue to diminish and dismiss us in terms of, I'm not hurt? This is just not just? Can we can we change the dialogue around what the impact is that every time you get stung by that micro aggression be? It opens up that wound and continues and continues? And then you're 30 years later? And you're still dealing with the police that fucked you up when you're 14, right?And so it is when can we have those greater discussions around justice and ended up democracy and inclusion from a macro level distinguishing against that, that does not those discussions does not fit into a capitalist market. It doesn't, because it's a it's some, the commodity of information shifts when we're talking about capitalism. So the information that we are processing and giving and discussing in that model isn't going to work for us. And I don't know what it is, I spent a week in February, listening to Black Buddhists Summit out of the states. So these are Black people that practice Black people that practice Buddhism, because they found within the Buddhist sect that there is there's issues around inclusion. And one of the one of the speakers that I really, really liked was when he was talking about the impact of microaggressions on a larger level, is that we as Black people, as people of color, need to find our ways to step back from that, knowing ourselves like so and he was encouraging Black people themselves to go to other countries to be around Black people to see that it's different there as opposed to what it is in the States.Patty: Well, that your experience in Jamaica.Angela:Exactly, exactly. And one of the things that a friend of mine, my hairdresser said to me, before I went, he said, you're going to find a deeper strength within yourself, you're going to feel more empowered, you're going to feel more empowered to get out there and do. And somehow he's right. Like, I feel like, I don't feel as much of that there's something off with me feeling that you just kind of carry around on your shoulder, not not wanting to look at it, but knowing that it's there. It's not, it's not that I'm off. It's this community that I'm living in the society that I'm living, that's kind of off.Kerry: I love that. You know, it was interesting. You mentioned Patty, earlier when Obama got in, I remember speaking with some,Patty: Yay we’re in a post racial world! The racisms are over!Kerry: That whole idea that, above all, there's no more racism. And and that was kind of a conversation I was having with some of my American friends. Right. And I was, we were kind of, you know, yay, celebrating. But, um, for me, and I remember my husband and I to we were like, Yeah, this is great. And it's, it was so monumental for them, but for myself and for and for my husband, we come from Antigua, and Barbados, right? Where there have been Black Prime Ministers all day, every day. You know what I mean, so the experience of this was monumental. And of course, it was amazing, you know, for whatever it was worth or wasn't worth, you know, whatever. But that that piece of, of what you were saying, Angela really resonates with me in that regard, because they're, each community has the experience of, you know, in the diaspora of what it is to be in our Blackness. I know when I go to Antigua, everybody looks like me and then some, the shopkeepers are all Black, you know, if you had a white teacher, something was weird. Whereas in our experience, if you had a Black teacher, something was weird.Patty: I don't think I ever had a Black teacher. I can't. I think in college, in college, I had one Black teacher in college, and, you know, university, it was at Niagara University. So that would have been my third year I, but I didn't think of a Black teacher in high school. I know there wasn't one in elementary school. I can't think of one in high school. I don't think I had one when I was in college. But even but even just, you know, to continue dragging the Obama years, the movie Get Out. Right? Well, you know, when you had said, you know, we're talking about Obama's election and the movie Get Out where he says I would have voted for Obama a third time if I like that movie was written during the Obama administration. That's when Peele was thinking about it and writing about it, so he's not, it's not about Trump level racists it’s about white liberals. The people think they're the good guys.Kerry: That Trumps nowPatty: That’s who he is skewering in that movie and nobody gets it they all think that they're not like that. You can vote for Obama as many times as you like. You can have one you know you can have brunch with your Black friends.  Racists always have Black friends, it blows my mind it's always the same one I think there might be two of you out there that are friends with all this white foolishnessAngela:Oh, it's when your white friends tell you sincerely you know Angela I don't see colour, and I love this person I do I see her good and I and that's where I have to go always is actually you know I just don't see your color I don't understand and I just and and I you know after the third time hearing that I just said okay, look, look, if you don't see my color, then clearly you don't see me, you don't see my experience. You didn't hear it when I told you about the guy giving the monkey sounds when I was crossing the street. You didn't hear it when I was told that that you know stop going into a store. Clearly you don't hear those things. But those are my reality. So if you can't share my reality on some leve,l at least have some empathy for it. We can't be friendsKerry: like stop the erasure. I love that.Angela:It's it's the erasure and that's that's that is the that is the that is not micro that is macro. That is to to not consider that, you know, your heritage, whatever that like, I have enough struggle not knowing my heritage. I don't need somebody else putting that s**t on me. Whether you love me or not, like, you know. So God love them but man, f**k off?Patty: Well, yeah, I mean, we navigate these things in our relationships and in our friendships, and then when we try to bring them up, then we're dealing with the tears and the anger. And the you're always on me. And why do you say this? And then, you know, I didn't mean it that way. And it's like, well, could this not be about you for 30 seconds.Kerry: White, to deal with that space of white fragility is almost as exhausting as the actual micro aggression. But yeah, it is work. That, you know, that's that, you know, for me is the question. Do you find Angela, that you pick your battles? Do you pick your battles with this? Do you find that Patty?Angela:I do.Patty: Oh, for sure. For sure. There's so many people that I don't bring it, I don't bring it up to and really for anybody. If what if we do bring it up to you? That is such a gift that is such a gift, I mean, it is it, we're demonstrating trust, we're demonstrating the belief that you want to do better, we're making an investment in this relationship. Because we're not bringing it up. I mean, you're doing it, I can promise you, you're doing it. And if we don't bring it up, then you know, if we're not having these conversations with you, that reveals a lack of trust and a lack of investment in the relationship. So if we do bring it up, put yourself aside for 30 seconds, listen to what we're saying, listen to the fact that we're saying we believe that you can do that better, we believe in you, you just need to listen.Angela:Right? And thank you, because that is so true. And it is tiring. And, you know, with, you know, I been in a book club for 15 years, and there's two people of color in the book club. And I decided, ironically, in Black history month that I'm going to take a take a break. And it's not because the women aren't lovely women. And it's not because we haven't had some of these conversations over the years. It's the ongoing issue around primarily reading works from white writers. You know, and when you look at that, in the whole scheme of things in terms of our lives, like I didn't grow up with having,  Patty, I'm, you know, we none of us grew up in Canada, having people of our culture reflected in our materials, right. And so, I've been reading this really, it's, I'm reading it very slowly. But it's a great book, and it's by David Mura. It's around craft, narrative craft, writing around race and identity(A Stranger’s Journey: Race, Identity, and Narrative Craft in Writing).And so he talks about how, you know, when we're reading, and unless it's a Black person, Indigenous person, an Asian person that's actually identified in the story, the assumption is the person's white, the story is what always, and I've known that, but when you're actually reading it, and going holy, and not swearing, and then I put the book down, and I have to go in and just process that for a minute as a small but what does that mean, and the whole context of your life is that since you were young, that's what it's always been. And so that, you know, the micro bits of Indigenous history, true Indigenous history, I'm on the third time doing this course around cultural, Indigenous cultural safety, third time, because every time I learned something new, and I cry, because of the parallels in terms of what you know, that's my son's history, that's his father's history. And, and then there's my history, that's erased as well. It's that's the biggest those micro, macro aggressions, so I had to lead this group so that I can take space to focus on Black and Indigenous writers in Canada. I'm taking the next year. And that's all I'm reading.Patty: Hmm. The thing that I really got out of the history was in Native studies, there's gaps where Black people should be in Black Studies, there's gaps where the Native people should be. Yeah. And so we need to put these histories together and have these conversations together. Because like I said, at the beginning, because and I know, you know, we're just kind of wrapping up. Black and Indigenous are useful categories in terms of talking about race, but they're not mutually exclusive.Angela: Yes.Patty:They're not discrete categories where everybody is either one or the other. There ends of a continuum. And there's lots and lots and lots. Yeah, so useful categories to think about, but not discrete categories, not mutually exclusive.Kerry: I am chomping at the bit to get in. But right now, unfortunately, my focus is to be on all kinds of sex books. But once *laughter*Angela:I might jump ship, I might jump ship.Patty: I'm sure Black and Indigenous have sex.Kerry: So I love to hear how you are managing to bring this infusion. And it's so fitting for this conversation. Because, like, as we as we were talking about, those are the spaces to which we can heal, when we pull those kinds of panels together, when we start to, you know, mesh, any mesh the histories in such a lavish and luscious way and bringing a fullness to the experience and stories of us. I think that that's powerful, and offering up this place for us to finally start the process of moving through this.And Angela, I just want to thank you for coming on for just giving us such a beautiful piece of yourself. And your story, as usual, you always do that. And and in just bringing a light to how we're all affected in this space. I appreciate you so much for that.Angela:I appreciate you guys for the openness and just to have this space, right, like, you know, Kerry, and I talk a bit outside of here, which I'm grateful for. But I'm finding, you know, so many years of having the absence of people of color in my life that I'm wanting and gravitating more and more to that because I think we all need that understanding and that place where we can feel that we can be real. And it's it's taxing not to be able to be real. And I find that my circles as I get older are becoming smaller, because you know, it we have to heal from the daily day. Right. You know, we deal with this in our workplaces, as you've talked about Patty and I made a may or may not have alluded to, you know, in our volunteer circles in our relationships, it's it's hard work. It's hard work. And to find that space of being still.Patty: I thank you so much, Angela. I'm always so happy when you guys …Angela:you know the we were aligned. We were aligned together and ungrateful to I get so excited. I get nervous and then I get excited.Kerry: But we're fine, not you.Patty: We have good conversation for call girl so we will link up Okay, all right.Kerry: Bye bye. Have a great night guys. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit medicinefortheresistance.substack.com

This month, Tamsyn and Paniz are joined by Cheryl Rivera from Lux Magazine and Daniel Sarah Karasik from Midnight Sun Magazine to talk about why we need more socialist media. They discuss the relationship between writing and organizing, how their magazines try to reach existing and potential comrades, and making media that focuses on representing possibilities instead of changing minds. Links: Feminism and War: Confronting US Imperialism, edited by Robin L. Riley, Chandra Talpade Mohanty, and Minnie Bruce Pratt, including an essay by Berta Joubert-Ceci https://www.bloomsburycollections.com/book/feminism-and-war-confronting-us-imperialism/introduction-feminism-and-us-wars-mapping-the-ground Everyone's Place: Organizing, Gendered Labor, and Leadership by William C Anderson https://offshootjournal.org/everyones-place-organizing-gendered-labor-and-leadership/ We do This Til We Free Us by Mariame Kaba https://www.haymarketbooks.org/books/1664-we-do-this-til-we-free-us And interview about abolition and writing: https://forgeorganizing.org/article/practicing-imagination Racial Capitalism and the Case for Abolition by Ruth Wilson Gilmore https://www.haymarketbooks.org/books/1597-change-everything Party as Articulator, Salar Mohandesi in Viewpoint Magazine https://viewpointmag.com/2020/09/04/party-as-articulator/ Fascism is as Canadian as the the Maple Leaf by Todd Gordon in Midnight Sun https://www.midnightsunmag.ca/fascism-is-as-canadian-as-the-maple-leaf/ Graeme Lamb, Storytelling for Power https://www.midnightsunmag.ca/storytelling-for-power/ Jennifer Wilson interview with Raven Leilani https://lux-magazine.com/article/raven-leilani-needs-to-know-how-her-characters-pay-rent/ Ursula LeGuin The Dispossessed https://www.ursulakleguin.com/dispossessed Desmond Cole talking about Replay podcast and copaganda: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8xpaEfC2WI&t=2s&ab_channel=CommunicationSpeaks Replay podcast: https://www.pedagogyandpraxis.com/replaypodcast Leftist Media recommended in this episode: Briarpatch Magazine: https://briarpatchmagazine.com/ The Breach: https://breachmedia.ca/ The Hoser: https://www.thehoser.ca/ Partisan Magazine: https://partisanmag.com/ Tempest Magazine: https://www.tempestmag.org/about/

Replay's Shama Rangwala and Desmond Cole, Big Shiny Takes' Eric Wickham, Jeremy Appel and Marino Greco and Kino Lefter's Evan MacDonald join Harbinger director Andre Goulet for an exceptional night of analysis and fun as the panel reviews Canada's three weeks of far-right insurrection and occupation in the 2nd of a two part conversation. Plus: a very special 'A Fairytale of Ottawa' presentation. Watch the full conversation at https://www.twitch.tv/videos/1301505681 Support the shows at https://www.patreon.com/kinolefter and https://www.patreon.com/bigshinytakes Find out more about Replay at https://www.pedagogyandpraxis.com/replaypodcast

Replay's Shama Rangwala and Desmond Cole, Big Shiny Takes' Eric Wickham, Jeremy Appel and Marino Greco and Kino Lefter's Evan MacDonald join Harbinger director Andre Goulet for an exceptional night of analysis and fun as the panel reviews Canada's three weeks of far-right insurrection and occupation in the 2nd of a two part conversation. Plus: a very special 'A Fairytale of Ottawa' presentation. Watch the full conversation at https://www.twitch.tv/videos/1301505681 Support the shows at https://www.patreon.com/kinolefter and https://www.patreon.com/bigshinytakes Find out more about Replay at https://www.pedagogyandpraxis.com/replaypodcast

Replay's Shama Rangwala and Desmond Cole, Big Shiny Takes' Eric Wickham, Jeremy Appel and Marino Greco and Kino Lefter's Evan MacDonald join Harbinger director Andre Goulet for an exceptional night of analysis and fun as the panel reviews Canada's three weeks of far-right insurrection and occupation. Watch the full conversation at https://www.twitch.tv/videos/1301505681 Support the shows at https://www.patreon.com/kinolefter and https://www.patreon.com/bigshinytakes Find out more about Replay at https://www.pedagogyandpraxis.com/replaypodcast

Replay's Shama Rangwala and Desmond Cole, Big Shiny Takes' Eric Wickham, Jeremy Appel and Marino Greco and Kino Lefter's Evan MacDonald join Harbinger director Andre Goulet for an exceptional night of analysis and fun as the panel reviews Canada's three weeks of far-right insurrection and occupation in part one of a two part conversation. Watch the full conversation at https://www.twitch.tv/videos/1301505681 Support the shows at https://www.patreon.com/kinolefter and https://www.patreon.com/bigshinytakes Find out more about Replay at https://www.pedagogyandpraxis.com/replaypodcast

On ep3 of Replay activist and writer Desmond Cole and cultural studies scholar Shama Rangwala re-think and re-evaluate Citizen Kane and what one of cinema's all time great films says about capitalism and oligarchy in a surprising conversation exploring Orson Well's 1941 classic drama centering on the rise and fall of publishing magnate Charles Foster Kane.

Hello and welcome to rabble radio. It's Friday, December 17, 2021. I'm the host and the editor of rabble, Chelsea Nash. Thanks so much for listening! Rabble breaks down the news of the day from a progressive lens. It's a good place to catch up and catch on to what's happening in Canadian politics, activism, environment, and so much more. Listen to us on Apple podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. We catch you up on the news of the week and take you further into the stories that matter to you. This week on rabble radio we're reflecting back on our year, highlighting 2021's most newsworthy stories – and let me just say, there were plenty of stories to choose from! 2021 presented a plethora of newsworthy moments for us here at rabble to dive into – from environmental news to Indigenous justice, to politics, rabble was there keeping you up-to-date on all the current news as it happened this year. To begin, let's start on the Pacific side of Canada – all the way at Fairy Creek, British Columbia. This old-growth forest in the southern portion of Vancouver Island has made headlines in the past year, being the site of ongoing protests against old-growth logging.   In November, friend of the rabble family Libby Davies interviewed climate activist and land defender Rita Wong. In a clip, Rita discusses her role at Fairy Creek and why the site has had such an impact on activists in B.C.. Keeping the conversation on environmental justice and Indigenous rights, this year rabble correspondent Brent Patterson kept us all up to date on the latest news in his coverage of Wet'suwet'en territory. The protests concerning the construction of the Coastal GasLink Pipeline through 190 kilometres of the unceded lands of Wet'suwet'en First Nation territory have been ongoing, ever since Wetʼsuwetʼen hereditary chiefs opposed the project back in 2010. But it wasn't until last year, 2020, when action really started amping up. On our December 10th show, Brent sat down with sisters Eve Saint and Jocey Alec, Indigenous land defenders who were both criminally charged in the past two years protecting their traditional territory from the pipelines. Here's a clip from that interview of Eve Saint detailing the day she had been arrested. That was Brent Patterson in conversation with Eve Saint. You can listen to the full interview with Eve and her sister Jocey Alec in our December 10th episode – it's an incredibly powerful listen and we so appreciate the two sisters taking the time to speak with us. Thank you also to Brent Patterson for keeping such a detailed eye throughout the year with his coverage of Wet'suwet'en. You can be sure we'll be following this story into the new year. Switching gears now from environmental news to the world of the Internet – this year saw Facebook become engulfed in controversy and ultimately rebranded. In October, Mark Zuckerberg announced that Facebook was to be rebranded as “Meta” – however, critics believed that the re-naming was a just distraction from the controversies the social media conglomerate had found itself in. Canadians began to wonder – what will the government do to implement regulations for social media giants like Facebook? To break down this question and all-things regarding policy and Facebook, our national politics reporter Stephen Wentzell sat down with Dr. Michael Geist back in October. Geist is a law professor at the University of Ottawa where he holds the Canada Research Chair in Internet and E-commerce Law. He's also the author of the 2015 book Law, Privacy, and Surveillance in Canada in the Post-Snowden Era. Here's a piece of that interview. This year also saw a snap election, of course; the result being Trudeau being re-elected for a third term as prime minister, with his second minority government. Though the Liberals were no doubt hoping to win a majority government when Trudeau called the election back in August, the results were for the most part unchanged from the 2019 Canadian federal election. Having said that, there was much news to be made out of the election and the actions Trudeau has made since then. Keeping rabble informed and up-to-date on everything going on at Parliament Hill was very own our senior politics reporter Karl Nerenberg. On the site, Karl brought us stories every week detailing how decisions made at Parliament would affect Canadians. In October, Karl joined me on the podcast to discuss Trudeau's cabinet shuffle and suggest why, at 39 members, the cabinet is as big as it is. Take a listen. That was Karl Nerenberg from our October 29 episode when we discussed Trudeau's 2021 cabinet. This month, on our Off the Hill political panel, we delved into Justin Trudeau's government once again, this time dissecting the speech from the throne. To break it down, hosts Libby Davies and Robin Browne prompted our panelists Karl Nerenberg, poet and scholar El Jones, MP Leah Gazan, and Indigenous activist and writer Clayton Thomas-Muller. Our esteemed guests discussed what was said during the speech, what was notably not mentioned in the speech, and what it all meant for activists. Our panelists were in agreement that while pretty words about Indigenous reconciliation, solving climate change, and keeping Canadians safe and healthy through the pandemic were said, the speech was devoid of real substance. MP Leah Gazan speaks in a clip from the panel.  Those were our top stories on rabble radio this year. Now let's take a look at the top stories of the week on rabble.ca in a segment we call “in case you missed it.” In case you missed it:  This week at rabble, the Omicron variant appears to be taking hold around the globe. Have we actually learned anything from the last two years? Are our governments capable of providing support for society's most vulnerable to the virus? Are we making any progress on improving indoor air quality in communal spaces like schools? Are travel restrictions making any sort of difference?  As Nora Loreto, author of the newly released book Spin Doctors: How Media and Politicians Misdiagnosed the COVID-19 Pandemic says, "it feels like Groundhog Day." You know, the Bill Murray kind. Here we go again.  I reviewed Nora's book this week on the site. It's an insightful, compelling and -- you've been warned -- depressing read about the government and media failure that in many ways paved the way for COVID-19 to wreak the havoc it has. Nora takes readers through the first 18 months of this pandemic: from January 2020 through the end of June 2021. As we well know by now, the pandemic didn't end then, and we are still grappling with many of the same challenges we faced one year ago. However, as Nora proves, at this point, we ought to know better.  That's why in Karl Nrenberg's analysis of Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland's fall economic update, he wonders why there isn't more money being dedicated to improving indoor air quality for Canadians. There is indeed a section of the update most overlooked on Clean and Healthy Indoor Air.  The finance minister's update includes a Small Business Refundable Tax Credit of up to $10,000 per location and $50,000 per business organization, which businesses can receive for “eligible air quality improvement expenses.” There is, in addition, $100 million for provinces and territories for “improvements to ventilation” in schools, and an additional $70 million to the $100 million the government announced a year ago “to support ventilation projects in public and community buildings such as hospitals, libraries and community centres.” It's something, but it's not much, considering the degree to which stopping the spread of this virus entails getting it out of the air we breathe. Speaking of lessons unlearned, over in Alberta, where Premier Jason Kenney infamously declared the pandemic "over" last summer, the government is restricting COVID-19 restrictions for the holiday season, David Climenhaga reports. Groundhog Day, indeed.  Also this week on rabble.ca:  In case you missed it, 34 people's names were commemorated at this month's Toronto monthly Homeless Memorial on December 14. Of those 34 names, 19 people died inside city shelters in the month of October, writes street nurse Cathy Crowe. In response, the Shelter Housing Justice Network demands that Toronto City Council must immediately strike a task force charged with taking all reasonable steps to reduce such deaths but also take measures to ensure safe shelter, an expansion of housing allowances, harm reduction measures and to stop encampment evictions.  In case you missed it, Stephen Wentzell spoke to activists about the federal government's new bill to remove some mandatory minimum sentences from the Criminal Code. Toronto journalist, activist and author Desmond Cole panned the bill as "deeply cynical” and an “incomplete policy" as he calls for all mandatory minimum sentences to be dropped -- including those for crimes involving gangs -- and for life sentences to end.  “I just think the government needs to spare us all of the rhetoric about race, when the sentences that they are keeping up will also continue to disproportionately put Black and Indigenous people in jail,” Cole said. Justice Minister David Lametti said the government “will continue to address the social determinants of crime" and marked the bill as an important step. And with that, that is our show this week – and for this year. Rabble radio is taking a few weeks off for the holiday season, although the writers and contributors at rabble.ca will continue to bring you the up-to-date news throughout the month, so look out for that. As for rabble radio, you can tune into our next episode on January 14, 2021. If you liked what you heard on this week's show, please consider subscribing wherever you listen to your podcasts. Rate, review, share it with your friends -- it only takes two seconds to support independent media like rabble but it means so much. Follow us on social media across channels @rabbleca. And if you have feedback for the show, I'd love to hear it - get in touch anytime at editor@rabble.ca. I'm your host, Chelsea Nash. On behalf of everyone here at rabble, we want to thank you for tuning in and supporting our show – and we also want to wish you a safe and happy new year! Thanks to our podcast producer Breanne Doyle. Thanks to Karl Nerenberg for the music, and all the journalists and writers who contributed to this year's content on rabble radio, Off the Hill and rabble.ca. Photo by Erwan Hesry at Unsplash

Hello and welcome to rabble radio. It's the week of Friday, November 19 and I'm your host and the editor of rabble, Chelsea Nash. Thanks so much for listening!  Rabble breaks down the news of the day from a progressive lens. It's a good place to catch up and catch on to what's happening in Canadian politics, activism, environment, and so much more. Listen to us on Apple podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.  We catch you up on the news of the week and take you further into the stories that matter to you.  This week on the show, friend of the rabble family Libby Davies interviews climate activist and land defender Rita Wong.  Libby Davies is author of Outside In: a Political Memoir. She served as the MP for Vancouver East from 1997-2015, and is former NDP Deputy Leader and House Leader, and is recipient of the Order of Canada.  Rita Wong is a poet-scholar who has written several books of poetry. She understands natural ecosystems as critical infrastructure that must be protected and cared for in order to survive the climate crisis. In other words, old growth forests are what remains of the Earth's lungs. They discuss Fairy Creek -- the site of ongoing protests against old-growth logging on the southern portion of Vancouver Island. The protests have been going on for over a year now, with many activists -- Rita included -- travelling to and from the region when they can at the invitation of Pacheedaht First Nation elder Bill Jones and hereditary leader Victor Peter, upon whose lands the logging is taking place. Rita has written about her experiences and the plight of the land defenders at Fairy Creek before for rabble.ca, writing:  "The time I've spent at Fairy Creek is some of the most inspiring I've ever experienced, with creative, generous, kind and talented people, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous, all spontaneously co-operating to uphold what Jones has asked us to: the responsibility to protect sacred forests for future generations." Libby and Rita also take some time to discuss the recent passing of Indigenous writer Lee Maracle, who was a mentor of Rita's.  IN CASE YOU MISSED IT Let's stay in B.C. for just a moment. This week at rabble, national politics reporter Stephen Wentzell writes about that province's proposal to "remove criminal penalties for people who possess small amounts of illicit drugs for personal use." The proposed exemption is a big win for decriminalization activists, who have long-argued that decriminalization will help reduce the fear and shame associated with substance use that can be a barrier for people requiring care. At the same time, some activists working to combat the opioid crisis say it's not enough. Wentzell spoke to Donald MacPherson, executive director for the Canadian Drug Policy Coalition, who said he applauds the B.C. provincial government for its proposed shift, though he worries that leaving lower jurisdictions to implement varying decriminalization laws will create inconsistent and “piecemeal” policies around the country. “This is a federal law. The federal government hasn't taken this leadership,” MacPherson said. “They should be taking the leadership to decriminalize simple possession for drugs across Canada.” Also on the site this week:  It's Trans Awareness Week, with Trans Remembrance Day taking place tomorrow, November 20. To mark the week, Charlotte Dalwood, a freelance writer based in Alberta, tells the story of how one woman went from being a trans ally to being an anti-trans activist, and back to an ally again (if not a passive one). Rather than arguing that trans exclusion is anti-feminist, writes Dalwood, trans women and our allies ought to instead mobilize the stories of ex-gender criticals (as the trans exclusionary movement likes to call themselves).  "Whatever such people have done in the past, they are in a unique position now to pull others out of the gender-critical movement. That makes them invaluable allies." Earlier this week, columnist Chuka Ejeckam issued a warning to be wary of those who claim to speak for the Black community writ large. He tackles the controversial and, as he points out, unfounded opinion piece in the Toronto Star by Royson James, in which James attempts to take down former Star columnist and writer and activist Desmond Cole.  Speaking of the Star, former Star reporter John Miller writes about the major problem facing Canadian media: a loss of public trust. He has some ideas on how we might repair that trust. All that and more, as always, on rabble.ca. EXTRO That's it for this week! We'll see you around the site, I'm sure. If you like the show please consider subscribing wherever you listen to your podcasts. Rate, review, share it with your friends -- it takes two seconds to support independent media like rabble. Follow us on social media across channels @rabbleca.  Got feedback for the show? Get in touch anytime at editor@rabble.ca. I can't always promise I'll respond, but I do read everything you write in. I'm your host, Chelsea Nash. Thanks for tuning in and we'll talk next week! Thanks to our producer Breanne Doyle, Libby Davies and Rita Wong. Thanks to Karl Nerenberg for the music, and all the journalists and writers who contributed to this week's content on rabble.ca.  Photo by: A.Davey (via WikiCommons)

The Shelburne Race Riots were the outcome of the British Government's inability to care about anything besides their appearance to their peers and the well being of white people under their rulership. The evacuation of the British from 'America' at the end of 1782, caused an increase in Black people brought to the 'Canadian' side of the colonial border, especially in the spring of 1783. It did not take long at all for racial tensions to reach a boiling point on July 26th of 1784. Reports say that the riots occurred for a week, but attacks against Black people in the area continued to be reported for up to a month after the initial attack. This riot, as well as extensive other important Black history in "Canada" occurred in Nova Scotia and yet it is rarely ever taught. This episode discusses the Shelburne Race Riots, the racial climate in Nova Scotia, as well as other important Black pieces of history which you probably haven't heard of yet. The Black Loyalist Heritage Center: https://blackloyalist.com/ The Skin We're In by Desmond Cole: https://bookoutlet.ca/products/9780385686341B/the-skin-were-in-a-year-of-black-resistance-and-power Become a Patron: https://www.patreon.com/girlyouhaventheard

Desmond Cole and Shama Rangwala introduce their new podcast Replay, and chat about Jurassic Park. Remember to subscribe to Replay. You can follow Desmond (@DesmondCole), Shama (@fritzlechat), and Replay (@ReplayThePod) on Twitter. Community Support Links: Beaver Clan Patrol Edmonton https://www.facebook.com/bearclanedmonton/ BearClanBeaverHillsHouse@gmail.com Toronto Indigenous Harm reduction https://www.torontoindigenoushr.com/donate Learn more about Pedagogy and Praxis. Visit http://pedagogyandpraxis.com

Fan Squiggy and the six women discuss ideas from “White Fragility” by Robin Diangelo. How do we talk to children about racism? Can we get to equality together? What is the role of the bystander? Why has it taken so long to have many shades of ‘nude’ crayons and undergarments? Plus, seeing Sharon Osborne’s white fragility play out on tv! Discussion Points: Racism in Canada Other books and resources on antiracism White Fragility in action on television Apologizing versus making amends The nice guy/‘friend zone’ The intersectionality of feminism, antiracism, trans and gay rights, fatphobia Speaking up/the role of the bystander Old movies and media influence How to talk to children about racism Different shades of skin colour, crayons, underwear, ‘nude’ Getting it out of the “uncomfortable is rude” realm/ revisiting ‘manners’ Body positivity Mentioned on this episode of Book Interrupted: Book Interrupted Website Book Interrupted YouTube Channel Book Interrupted Facebook Book Club Group White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk about Racism by Robin Diangelo The Skin We're In: A Year of Black Resistance and Power by Desmond Cole ‘The Skin I’m In: I’ve been interrogated by police more than 50 times—all because I’m black’ by Desmond Cole in Toronto Life How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi 'The Talk': Sheryl Underwood, Sharon Osbourne Discuss Racism Oprah with Meghan and Harry Piers Morgan Walks Off Set During Meghan Markle Debate That ’70s Show The Big Bang Theory Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking by Malcolm Gladwell Bystander effect

This episode is an audio recording of a conversation I had on June 2, 2020 with my husband Adam, my colleague Tasha and some current/former students who are passionate about social justice and human rights (Ganiyat, Hannah, Ivana, Isabelle, Jayhan, Lizzy, Tayo, Aribim and Edward). We discussed systemic racism, micro aggressions, privilege, white fragility, intersectionality, performative allyship, getting comfortable with being uncomfortable, anti-racism and strategies for learning more information about these topics. If anyone is interested in joining a book club to read "How to be an Antiracist" by Ibram X. Kendi and "The Skin We're In: A Year of Black Resistance and Power" by Desmond Cole please get in touch with me on instagram @thecalmpodcast or e-mail emily@thecalmpodcast.com. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thespooniepodcast/message

Desmond Cole is a Black Journalist, Activist, and Writer. His first book, The Skin We're In: A Year of Black Resistance and Power, takes a look at events in 2017, that point to the very real issue of systemic racism, that is just as pervasive now as ever. These events serve as a microcosm of the larger picture; that institutionalized racism is as pervasive as ever.   Amir Ali takes a deep dive into the book The Skin We're In: A Year of Black Resistance and Power , and the man behind the book, Desmond Cole.

Desmond Cole is a Black Journalist, Activist, and Writer. His first book, The Skin We're In: A Year of Black Resistance and Power, takes a look at events in 2017, that point to the very real issue of systemic racism, that is just as pervasive now as ever. These events serve as a microcosm of the larger picture; that institutionalized racism is as pervasive as ever.   Amir Ali takes a deep dive into the book The Skin We're In: A Year of Black Resistance and Power , and the man behind the book, Desmond Cole.