We are currently taking the time to pause, listen, and reflect. We are grateful to those who have boldly spoken out against racism and injustice, to those who have spent their time and emotional labour creating these resources, and to the activists who continue to fight for justice. We welcome you to connect with us to discuss these resources, share your ideas, or ask any questions you may have.

Introduction to racism and structural oppression

​

If you are just beginning your journey of learning and unlearning, welcome. Now is a great time. This work will be uncomfortable – necessarily so, as it challenges us to confront our own internal biases, privilege, and complicity in the systems that harm others. If you find yourself overwhelmed, defensive, or guilty, sit with those feelings for a moment and allow yourself to feel them. Then ask yourself – what is this feeling teaching me? What new truths have I discovered? How might it feel to live in a body in which I cannot escape or ignore these truths?

​

​

This essay is offers the perspective of a white woman who has come to recognize the unearned privileges she was born with, and the ways in which they are systematically made to be invisible and unconscious:

10

​

White Privilege: Unpacking The Invisible Knapsack by Peggy McIntosh

​

​

This is a 30-minute interactive eCourse that offers a foundation for learning about race, racial discrimination and human rights protections under Ontario's Human Rights Code. The course offers a historical overview of racism and racial discrimination, explains what “race,” “racism” and “racial discrimination” mean, and provides approaches to preventing and addressing racial discrimination:

d

Call It Out: Racism, Racial Discrimination, and Human Rights

​

​

"Intersectionality is a framework for conceptualizing a person, group of people, or social problem as affected by a number of discriminations and disadvantages. It takes into account people’s overlapping identities and experiences in order to understand the complexity of prejudices they face." Read more:

​

What Is Intersectionality, and What Does It Have To Do With Me?

​

​

We are all – every one of us – complicit in racism and oppressive power structures. This is a great read if you have never considered the ways in which you are a part of it all:

​

10 Habits Of Someone Who Doesn't Know They're Anti-Black

​

​

Racism is not just an American issue. Canada was built on a foundation of settler colonialism and racism, and these systems of oppression are still in place and continue to cause harm. Learn more about racism close to home:

​

​

Nova Scotia Still Faces a Disturbing Problem With Racism

Further reading on racism and structural oppression

​

Learn more about the history of Africville, the vibrant Black community that was neglected, refused essential services such as sewage and access to clean water, and eventually demolished by the City of Halifax in the 1960's:

​

Canadian Museum for Human Rights: The Story of Africville

If you like to listen to podcasts:

​

NPR Code Sw!tch

Intersectionality Matters with Kimberlé Crenshaw

​

For further learning, here are some collections of even more resources on racism, oppression, and power:

​

Justice In June

​

Scaffold Anti-Racist Resources

​

More Anti-Racism Resources

​

​

What is Black Lives Matter?

​

"Black Lives Matter was founded in 2013 in response to the acquittal of Trayvon Martin’s murderer. Black Lives Matter Foundation, Inc is a global organization in the US, UK, and Canada, whose mission is to eradicate white supremacy and build local power to intervene in violence inflicted on Black communities by the state and vigilantes."

​

Black Lives Matter: What We Believe

​

An interview with the founders of Black Lives Matter: Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors, and Opal Tometi

​

Answering White People's Most Commonly Asked Questions about the Black Lives Matter Movement

What is decolonization?

​

Firstly, what is colonialism?

Colonialism & It's Impacts

​

An Introduction to Teaching and Learning About Settler Colonialism In Canada

​

​

What does decolonization mean, and how can it be implemented?

​

Explainer: What Is Decolonization?

​

What is Decolonization and Why Does It Matter?

​

CBC Indigenous: What Does Decolonization Mean? Our Panel Debates the Buzzword

​

White Allies, Let's Be Honest About Decolonization

​

What Decolonizing Is, and What It Means To Me

​

The Reconciliation Manifesto (book)

​

​

The following are three TED Talks addressing decolonization:

​

Decolonization Is For Everyone  by Nikki Sanchez

​

Pedagogy Of The Decolonizing  by Quetzala Carson

​

The Power Of Honest Introductions by Sarain Fox

​

What is Anti-racism?

​

"Anti-racism is the act of opposing racism/white supremacy in all forms – even the racism that exists within you and the forms you perpetuate with your behaviors. It is about identifying the root causes of racism and putting an end to them. Activism without anti-racism is merely white saviorism by another name. No good deed as an activist will remove you responsibilities in anti-racism."

​

The People's Institute for Survival and Beyond: Anti-Racist Principles

Anti-Racism Starter Kit​

​

15 Ways To Strengthen Anti-Racist Practice

​

AORTA: Anti-Oppressive Resource & Training Alliance

​

How can I be a better ally?

​

Allyship is a verb. It is an action to be practiced; not something that we can ever arrive at. In a nutshell, allyship is the practice of de-centering yourself, and re-centering the voices, needs, and efforts of those who you are wanting to be an ally to. To do so, you must put your own privilege on the line, and it will be uncomfortable. Humans are imperfect and we will inevitably fail – an ally is someone who owns up to their mistakes, acknowledges the harm done, and takes meaningful actions to do better. 

Being A Good Ally Is An Ongoing Process

​

Indigenous Ally ToolKit

​

Bystander Intervention Do's and Don'ts

​

10 Common Things Well-Intentioned Allies Do That Are Actually Counterproductive

​

100 Ways to Support – Not Appropriate From – Native People

​

100 Things White People Can Do For Racial Justice

​

Black Lives Matter: Ways You Can Help

​

Say Their Names: How To Help

What does this have to do with theatre?

​

Theatre is not immune to racism. It may look like micro or macro aggressions in the rehearsal room or backstage. It shows up in casting, programming, and power hierarchies, as well as a in myriad of other ways. Taking a critical eye to how racism manifests in our institutions and organizations is a first step. We then must find active ways to reduce this harm and rebuild trust.

​

Next, we must look critically at the work we are creating. As artists, we have a unique opportunity to engage with the public both intellectually and empathetically. Because of it's liveness and immediacy, theatre will always be a conversation between performers and audience members. As theatre makers, producers, and administrators, we have a hand in deciding whose voices are present and centralized in this conversation.

​

​

Here are some resources describing the way racism is and has been present in the theatre industry:

​

Four Black Artists on How Racism Corrodes the Theatre World

​

We Have Suffered Enough: The Cost of Performing Trauma for Women of Color

​

High Tide Of Heartbreak: Has theatre wounded me as much or more than it's healed me?

​

Playwrights of Color, White Directors, and Exposing Racist Policy

​

Woke Supremacy: A Critical Perspective on the American Theatre

​

Whitewashing in Theatre Will Always be a Method of Racial Exclusion

​

We Don't Want Your Statements, American Theatre: Or, The Solidarity We Actually Needed

​

Here are some resources outlining steps that can be taken to mitigate this harm:

​

Building Trust After Inclusivity Failed: Lessons for the Theatre

​

Decolonizing Theatre: An Introduction

​

An Open Letter to Theatre Companies: How to Hold Yourselves Accountable and Put Solidarity into Practice

​

Parents of Color and The Need for Anti-Racist Theatre Practices

​

Decolonizing Shakespeare? Toward an Antiracist, Culturally Sustaining Practice

​

Race & Theatre: Creation, Casting, and Consent

​

Color-Conscious Casting: Three Questions to Ask

​

Phrases We Should Work to Eliminate in the Rehearsal Room

​

What's Left of You? Performance, Decolonization, and Self-Determination – TED Talk by Jules Orcullo

​

​

Here are a few theatre makers who are setting an excellent example of how allyshp and anti-racism can be practiced in the theatre:

​

The Gift: The Importance of Difficult Conversations Between Collaborators

​

Meet the Collective of Theatre Makers Working to Undo Racism in the American Theatre

​

How To Make Anti-Racist Theatre – An Interview with Nicole Brewer

​

I want to listen to lived experiences

​

We are grateful to these individuals who have shared their personal experiences, and recognize the mental, emotional, and physical toll it takes to do so. We invite you to witness without distractions, and listen with an open heart.

​

Black Like Me, past, present, and future: Behind The Stratford Festival Curtain

​

Ndo-Mshkawgaabwimi – We all are standing strong

​

White Creatives, Do I Have Your Attention?

​

A Conversation With Black Women on Race

I want to watch a past workshop

​

Many workshops and webinars are recorded and posted online. This is great because you can watch them in your own time, pause, take notes, and re-watch segments. Here are a few that we have found helpful and interesting:

​

Anti Oppression in the Performing Arts LAB with Lavie Williams

​

Green New Theatre Part 2: Decolonizing Leadership Practices hosted by Groundwater Arts

​

Green New Theatre Part 1: Y'all There's No Going Back hosted by Groundwater Arts

I want to learn about upcoming workshops

​

Although we are currently unable to gather and learn along side each other in real space, many educators across the globe are making their workshops accessible online. We have found many through searching key terms like racism, anti-racism, and theatre on Eventbrite. There is an abundance of workshops available for free, at low cost, or at a pay what you can rate, however we encourage you to always compensate educators for their time and labour whenever you are able. Here is a list of upcoming workshops that we are interested in - you might be too!

​

A Candid Conversation About Systemic Racism by Sanfran Consulting

Multiple dates throughout August - December 2020

​

Racism Must Fall by brap

September 10, 2020

​

Anti-Racist Theatre: A Foundational Course by Nicole Brewer

September 12 & 19, 2020

October 3 &4, 2020

​

Decolonizing Theatre Basics by Groundwater Arts

September 12, 2020

September 17, 2020

​

THE ACCOMPLICE: Deconstructing the Role of the White Ally by Seeds of Change Consulting

September 12, 2020

​

How To Deepen Your Anti-Racism Journey by Lindsey T. H. Jackson

Multiple Dates: September 11, 18, & 25, 2020

​

How To Be Anti-Racist by Brittany Oliver

September 20, 2020

​

Virtual Shalon | Commitment to Anti-Racism by Annette from Shalon

September 25, 2020

​

Breaking the Silence: Having Difficult Conversations About Race by Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation

September 26, 2020

​

Understanding Racism and Anti-Racist Practice by The Centre for Youth Violence and Conflict

October 8, 2020

​

Racism and Accountability by Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania Anti-Racism Commission

October 17, 2020

​

Unpacking Racism: What Do I Need to Do to Be an Anti-Racist? by Julie Kratz

November 10, 2020

​

Sitting With Discomfort: Taking Action by Moriam Grillo

November 12, 2020

​

​

I want to donate my time or money

​

Below are two resource lists of where you can give money to support black-led organizations in Nova Scotia and beyond. If you would like to help but are not in a position to give financially, we suggest you contact these organizations and ask how you can donate your time, resources, or skills.

​

The Coast: Where you can give money to support Black organizations and lives right now

​

Virgin Radio Halifax: How To Support The Black Community In Nova Scotia & Around The World 

​

​

I need help right now

​

This is a list of free services and help lines if you are currently in a crisis or need someone to talk to:

Nova Scotia Crisis Lines

​

This is a document compiled by our friends at the Khyber Centre for the Arts:

Crowdsourcing Mental Health Resources for IBPOC People in the HRM