{"id":41268,"date":"2016-09-27T13:54:55","date_gmt":"2016-09-27T17:54:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/?p=41268"},"modified":"2016-09-28T10:29:38","modified_gmt":"2016-09-28T14:29:38","slug":"experts-will-explore-privilege-race-and-social-justice-at-white-privilege-symposium","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/2016\/09\/experts-will-explore-privilege-race-and-social-justice-at-white-privilege-symposium\/","title":{"rendered":"Experts will explore privilege, race and social justice at White Privilege Symposium"},"content":{"rendered":"

White privilege knows no borders, says a world-renowned diversity scholar and founder of the White Privilege Conference.<\/span><\/p>\n

Eddie Moore Jr. says that while many in Canada believe prejudice and racism are problems for the U.S., no country is immune to issues of racial inequality and injustice.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhite supremacy, white privilege and oppression is a global phenomenon,\u201d he says. \u201cIt knows no borders.\u201d<\/p>\n

Moore said the way to change the status quo is to expose it, analyze it and take action.<\/p>\n

\u201cI really believe that some of the challenges associated with these issues are a result of not enough people naming it and examining it,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n

The White Privilege Conference has been held in the United States for the past 18 years and for the first time the discussion is coming to Canada. Brock University will host the White Privilege Symposium Sept. 30-Oct. 1.<\/p>\n

\u201cBy bringing this symposium to Canada, it\u2019s an opportunity to have some really bold and courageous conversations,\u201d Moore says. \u201cWhen we are able to share our knowledge, experience and wisdom we can come up with better results.\u201d<\/p>\n

Shauneen Pete, Associate Professor at the University of Regina and Executive Lead on Indigenization of that university, said white privilege is an important conversation in Canada, especially considering its history.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe story of Canada is not a story about multiculturalism but a story of colonial white dominance: this truth must become a part of the social narrative we tell about ourselves,\u201d she says. \u201cIn order to achieve the dream of reconciliation, members of the dominant group and those new Canadians who align with them, must learn the truths of our racialized past and begin to practice anti-racism in their personal and professional lives.\u201d<\/p>\n

Debby Irving, a racial justice educator and writer, says most people incorrectly associate the term privilege with wealth. It\u2019s a misconception she herself believed for most of her life, until she was a graduate student and a class opened her eyes to the privileges being white had afforded her.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn fact, privilege refers to access to rights, resources and other societal benefits,\u201d she says. \u201cOne way to think about privilege is as the opposite of discrimination. Discrimination couldn\u2019t exist without privilege, and vise versa.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pre-eminent thinkers and researchers from both sides of the border exploring race, privilege and social justice will be presenting during the event at Brock.<\/p>\n

The following scholars will present keynote talks and workshops at the symposium:<\/p>\n