"Wake Up!"

 

Freedom Writers (Frankie Payne, Theology 3 & Adam Bomb) Prod by Big Sproxx

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For Youth Initiative (FYI) - "Youth Speak" Conference

Like we previously posted, TBYC was in attendance at the FYI "Youth Speak" Conference on youth in the criminal justice system. Congrats are in order for the FYI team as they garnered a strong turn out. Everyone from front-line staff to executive directors and funders were in the building.

The concept was clear: Make sure service providers were hearing the concerns of youth in the justice system. They had three panels; The first of which was made up of youth who had recently exited the criminal justice system. The second included youth currently navigating the criminal justice system. And the third included youth who had somehow managed to avoid any contact with the system.

First Panel: Youth who have just left the legal system.

Candid and refreshing. This group of young people chose not to hold back when it came to talking about their experiences in custody and in the courts. They spoke about issues with Legal Aid lawyers as well as barriers within the education system. They highlighted organisations in the community that they felt really helped them turn their lives around but also spoke about the need for more community supports.

One thing that really stuck out was when the young woman on the panel said she learned discipline and discovered most of her talents while in jail but that she felt those were things she could have learned in school.

Another big point that came out of this discussion was the need for our youth to be able to walk to the corner store or ride the bus without fear of being harassed by the police.

Here's a list of other issues that were mentioned:

• we need more breakfast programs in schools
• we need to stop telling our youth that they aren't going to make it
• we need to show these youth that jail is not sexy
• importance of mentorship within the community
• criminal record checks can be a barrier to moving forward with your life (i.e. finding employment)
• we need to fund the programs that work
• service providers need to look at who they're hiring; they need to hire the ones that will engage the youth

Second Panel: Youth who are currently navigating the justice system.

(This portion was broadcast live to the Roy McMurtry Youth Centre and questions from youth in custody were asked throughout the session.)

Issues Raised:

• Individualised Education Plans work to segregate youth from the mainstream, in the education system
• Youth feel that had they spent more time in school they would not have gotten in to trouble
• The Police need to look at who they are hiring to be officers and in other positions of power
• Teachers need to also act as mentors
• There need to be more life coaches and less counsellors in the system (youth are asking for more life skills training, pre-employment and interpersonal skills workshops)
• Youth need more transitional workers that will follow youth who want to make a change once they get out of jail
• We need to talk to employers about hiring young offenders
• Youth are afraid to leave jail because they don't want to go back to offending
• Youth workers shouldn't think of this type of work as a "9am to 5pm" type of job, it's 24 hours a day commitment
• We need to commend the individuals in our community who are making change
• We need to focus on changing the thought process of youth in the criminal justice system
• Service Providers: Use your resources! Hire youth to reach youth.
• There is a disconnect between young people and the education system; make educational spaces a community hub
• Make room for self-expression in school
• Police always use youth statements against them

Someone from the audience brought up the point the jails are big business and frequent remand dates and long term pre-trial detention keep people working. Residents at the Roy McMurtry Youth Centre asked why its takes so long for the crown to get police disclosures and the answer given (by a woman in the audience) was the police stall on handing them in because they think the court system is too soft on youth. She went further to say that police intentionally stall to keep youth in detention longer; this is their way of imposing punishment. Pressure needs to be put on police to file disclosures in a timely manner. It was also clarified that defense lawyers don't get paid for remands, so it is an inconvenience for them as well. They cannot ethically inform their clients on what to do next if they themselves have not seen the police disclosure.

Third Panel - Young people that have successfully avoided the criminal justice system.

This panel discussed the question: What does prevention look like? The youth on the panel answered by highlighting the importance of programs like "Model UN". The overall stance was that by supporting our youth and keeping them engaged in positive initiatives, we can help keep them out of police custody and ultimately the jail system.

Once again, MAJOR PROPS to FYI and their team. Keep doing it big.

PEACE

WahGwan...

This week, For Youth Initiative presents the
"When Youth Speak" conference on closing the service gaps within the Criminal Justice System. Throughout the day, attendees will hear from youth involved in the system, youth workers and service providers discussing what they see to be the issues and their beliefs on what needs to be done to address them. 

The conference will take place this Tuesday, April 20, 2010 at the University of Toronto Conference Centre (89 Chestnust St). Breakfast starts at 9am and the conference will be from 10am to 5pm. 

For more information check out the link below:

http://foryouth.ca/category/events/

And please believe TBYC will be in the building...

Also up and coming is the DJ P PLUS event
"Hoopin' 4 Haiti" Charity Gaming Tournament.
Come out and support Toronto's own in his work to help our brothers and sisters in Haiti. Some of Toronto's finest will be in the building, sweating it out while at the same time raising money for P Plus' humanitarian efforts. For more information how you can become a part of the tournament, check out the link below:
http://www.djpplus.com/hoopin4haiti/
Don't sleep, cus if their are any spots left there is no doubt that they are going quick. If you know you've got game sign up a team for a chance at the grand prize. If you must, clean your kicks and cop a fresh line-up too but PLEASE don't leave your game at home.

TBYC says "Much Rispek to P Plus for what he's doing!"

More to come...

PEACE

Creba: Round 3...

So it'll be in the papers tomorrow but it was all over the news today. The last of three trials in the now infamous Jane Creba case has wrapped up and charged the last two remaining suspects (TB and RW) with manslaughter. The other charges in this case that killed one and injured six include: two young men who have been convicted of second degree murder and are now serving life sentences (JSR and JV), four upon which manslaughter charges were dropped (after spending countless years in pre-trail detention, no doubt, and having their names displayed across the country via news media), a young man (GC) who was acquitted of manslaughter charges, and another young man (DW) to be charged with second degree murder once he is extradited to Canada from the UK. That's a grand total of 10 charges; but there were MANY more arrests.

Here's the thing. This case is infamous within our community for ONE reason: 

It most CLEARLY characterizes the racial favoritism routinely displayed by our legal system. 

Let's analyse the facts for a second. Ten people were charged in what was definitely a horrific incident of utter disregard for human life. An all out gun brawl in the busiest area of Toronto on the busiest day of the year; granted. But the evidence linking a lot of these suspects to the actual crimes they are being charged with and convicted for is virtually non-existent.

In the most recent case in particular, it was left to the jury to decide whether the suspects involved actually fired the weapons they carried that evening. They were working with the testimony of a "witness" (reported to have frequently altered his testimony) who was not there the day of the incident but testified that he heard the young men involved talking about the incident and expressing hope that they had not hit anyone. Keep this in mind: there were NO eye-witnesses stating they saw TB or RW holding a gun.

*Sidenote* Being that this is about a week after the Jordan Manners case was declared a mistrial due to witnesses recanting their statements, this begs the question: Why is it okay to rely on shaky witness testimony when a young white female is the victim in the case?

All level-headed people agree that if you commit a crime, you are to face an appropriate consequence for the crime you committed. A young lady was murdered, and six other people were injured. It's horrific and justice should be served. But unfortunately in this case, justice was not served. Ten young men, undoubtedly facing endless oppressive obstacles throughout their lives (albeit within the education system, financially, or the over-policing of their neighborhoods) have been made an example of. Extremely aggressive charges have been laid and it will not be surprising to see overly-punitive consequences follow.

Let's think for a moment what our society would be like if all murder cases were treated like this one. What about this case: Case 1 (click link). Or this case: Case 2 (click link). Or this case, involving 4-year-old Shaquan Cadougan who was shot while playing outside in front of his home. Unfortunately, the list of unsolved shooting/homicide cases involving Black victims is relatively long so why hasn't law enforcement or the city at large been "up in arms" about those cases?

Outcomes like these (i.e. the Jane Creba case) send distinct messages to the Black community. Of all the messages that can be derived, one stands paramount: Your lives are not as valued as white lives.

Militia, agree or disagree?

Invisible City...

The National Film Board of Canada is producing some serious material... check this out:

Invisible City is a feature-length documentary by Academy Award nominated Director, Hubert Davis, about transformation of community and identity. The film is set in the inner-city housing project of Toronto's Regent Park; Kendell and Mikey, like their surroundings are in the process of transformation; the environment and social pressures tempting them to make poor choices, their mothers and mentors rooting for them to succeed. Turning his camera on the often ignored inner city, Academy-award nominated director Hubert Davis sensitively depicts the disconnection of urban poverty and race from the mainstream.

http://films.nfb.ca/invisible-city/

WahGwan...

Here are a few events over the next little while that should definitely be of interest to the militia* (lol... that's your new nickname... see explanation below.)

First - kind of short notice but figured it should be mentioned nonetheless...

WORK FOR ALL: Mobile-izing Anti-Racism

A film on racial discrimination in the workplace being presented by the National Film Board of Canada - at the NFB Cinema 150 John St) - on Tuesday, March 23, 2010 at 7pm. Admission is FREE and the evening will also include a panel discussion on the use of mobile communication to address racism.

Space is limited so please RSVP to nfbmediathequeonf@nfb.ca

http://workforall.nfb.ca/

Next...

The Ultimate African Market

Sandra Young of the Ashanti Room is inviting you to a fundraising event for

the Africentric Alternative School and the Ontario Black History Society.

There will be African art, fabric, dolls, and other merchandise available for sale and 25% of the proceeds will go to the school to support their ongoing initiatives.

The event will take place at the Africentric Alternative School (1430 Sheppard Ave W) on Friday, March 26, 2010 at 5:30pm - 8:30pm.

http://www.blackhistorysociety.ca/events_view.php?id=10

Click on the link for complete details

and contact Tiki Mercury-Clarke (Program Coordinator for the OBHS)

for further information at 905-731-5957.

More to come...

Until then, enjoy!

... and PEACE

*Definition of "Militia" (courtesy of dictionary.reference.com): "A body of citizen soldiers as distinguished from professional soldiers."

Appropriate... Don't you think??

So Much Talent... So Much Drive...

RealTalks... Our city is FULL of so many intelligent, talented, and driven young people...

Thus, we must

Embrace and Showcase!

Over to your right ...

and towards the bottom....

... you'll notice a lil box plugging supporters of the movement. This is where we'll be posting any links to websites and blogs we feel will be of interest to our audience. Take a minute every now and again to check out the sites.

Always important to keep an ear to the streets and an eye to the interweb...

PEACE

Flashbacks...

On November 7, 2009, the TBYC (then known as YAC - the Youth Advisory Committee) held the very first "Real Talks, Real Movements" Forum which was an opportunity for youth focused organizations to come together, network, and discuss really significant issues like: Black youth identity today, and concerns around youth engagement throughout the GTA.

We prepared 4 major discussion questions, but due to time constraints and overwhelming enthusiasm from the participants we only got through one of them:

• What inspires African Canadian youth to become active? In what ways can African Canadian youth take more initiative in affecting positive change in their communities?

What became evident very quickly through discussion were the wide range in issues/activities/youth engagement strategies that inspire our youth to become active. We had young women expressing that it was their "girls group" that inspired them to become active. That bonding on the basis of their gender provided them with the platform they needed to to evolve. Alternatively, we also had young men and young women discussing the importance of mentorship in their upbringing. The idea that many of us felt validated and valued when those we looked up to took an interest in our lives.

Ultimately, the Forum highlighted the necessity for our elders, adults, and young adults to lead by example. If our community members continue to demonstrate the importance of listening to the needs of the upcoming generation, while respecting the knowledge of the those that have been here before us, we can't fail.

Lift as you climb.

"Real Talks" is returning for 2010 but just under a new guise. We're starting smaller but also getting more detailed. We'll be bouncing from youth group to youth group, from East to West, tackling issues from family life to education but focusing specifically on how those topics relate to our community.

If your youth group is interested in housing a workshop, you can contact the collective for more information at blackyouthcollective@gmail.com .

PEACE (and real talks... lol)

The Revolution will Not be Televised...

Young Brothers doing similar things in Montreal, Quebec.

Spot any familiar faces?? lol...

Peace.

PEACE TORONTO!!

If you haven't heard of us before we're hoping this blog will help you get familiar... If you don't already know, we are the Toronto Black Youth Collective, the youth "leg" of the African Canadian Legal Clinic. After the establishment of the African Canadian Youth Justice Program, the ACLC recognized the importance of having a youth voice and, thus, we were created.

Annually, we establish and action plan where we decide on key projects to work on throughout the following year. Last year we held the first "Real Talks, Real Movements" Forum on the Black youth identity and youth engagement within the City of Toronto. We definitely considered this forum a great success due to the important topics that were discussed and the passion that was evident amongst those who attended.

This year, we have so much more on the roster. Not only do we plan to bring back the "Real Talks" Forum but we plan to pack it up and bring it directly to you. Expect to see a range of workshop discussion topics as we travel across the city to various youth centres. If you would like us to come visit your youth group, you can contact us at blackyouthcollective@gmail.com .

This year we will also begin working on our first major youth justice initiative - more info to come - and a leadership project for high school students across the GTA who have already established, or wish to begin, a Black Students Association at their school.

So there you have it. Big tings a gwan.

We are ALWAYS seeking new membership and if your eager to be a part of the movement, get at us.

Stay tuned to the blog to learn more about the Collective and to keep in the know about what we're up to.

Until the next time, love one another.

PEACE