In 2023, the Final Report of the University of Toronto’s first Anti-Asian Racism Working Group explained how “Anti-Asian racism and hostilities have long existed, and Asian-identified people in Canada have endured historical exclusion and marginalization as a result of societal and political anti-Asian sentiment.”
Among other things, it noted that “Students find it difficult to identify courses related to Asia and Asian diasporas.”
Some of its recommendations were as follows:
Recommendation 5.2: U of T must “help instructors of undergraduate, graduate, and professional school courses strengthen their inclusion of content pertaining to topics related to Asia, Asian peoples and cultures, Asians in Canada, Asian diasporas, and anti-Asian racism.”
Recommendation 7.2: U of T must “Provide and promote culturally appropriate and sensitive mental health and wellness services.”
Recommendation 5.5. “Enhance routine faculty training in inclusive pedagogy.”
The U of T President, Vice-President & Provost promised, “It is our collective responsibility to develop strategies to dismantle barriers and enhance inclusivity for Asian members of the U of T community.”
The Final Report of the Anti-Asian Racism Working Group was delivered on May 29, 2023. A month later, another working group recommended closure of the Buddhism, Psychology and Mental Health minor.
In January 2024, Arts & Science suspended enrollment into the BPMH minor.
BPMH is the only program on campus with a curriculum based in Asian cultures and histories of health and well-being.
Why do you think U of T is proposing to close it?
#StopAsianHate, #endracism, #antiracism, #asianmentalhealth