In the wake of recent events in the US, we asked Nigel Henriques (BMath '83) and Interim Dean Kevin Hare (BMath '97) to share their thoughts on what the Faculty of Math family can do to combat racism on campus, in Canada and across the world.
Nigel Henriques, Associate Director, Systems, Advancement, University of Waterloo:
"I am grateful for the opportunity to speak to the Faculty of Math alumni community about the events over the past few weeks and the very important conversation around racism. By no means am I an activist or an expert in social studies or black history, but I have been blessed with a great education, a world viewpoint and I am not afraid to speak to the issues from my own experiences and from the heart. It is a multi-faceted complex topic and in no way do I have all the answers. I too am learning. Nonetheless, we all have similar values, we know right from wrong, we all strive to make the world a better place and we all want to see our kids and grandkids grow up in a more just and equal society. If we individually aren’t uncomfortable or outraged with recent events, like the murder of George Floyd, then we aren’t caring or listening, particularly since this is so close to home.
As I mentioned, the overwhelming support for the cause is fantastic and it raises important awareness, but it is the next phase that is difficult. The translation of that energy, momentum and support into meaningful action leading to change. That is the hard work we need to do. This has been the struggle for decades for people of colour, indigenous peoples and other racially marginalised communities. Progress has been slow, even for Canada.
I am sure you and many are pondering, what can I do?
We individually can start by simply confronting our own personal biases, fear or discomfort about the topic, educating ourselves (enlightenment), be vulnerable and understand that “white privilege” is just as real as “racism” is real. My hope is that our collective voices and the conversations in our math family can generate ideas that will lead to small changes; whether it is at the University, across Canada or across the world.
We often feel it is so hard or takes too long (generations) to change the behaviour of society to right the wrongs, we are often frustrated. I too acknowledge there is truth in that and history certainly illustrates this. However, it's not impossible as illustrated by the other big event in 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic has given us some insight into what humanity can achieve if the “will and urgency” is there. We just witnessed over the past 5 months that a significant number of people around the world changed their behaviour by wearing a mask or social distancing in our efforts to slow the virus. So change is possible, it’s not perfect, but it’s change. I am hopeful, that the groundswell of support and protest (minus the violence) in recent weeks will also help in changing attitudes and behaviours when it comes to racism.
But it is essential that we do not let these conversations fade out with the end of the news cycle. We must vow to return to these conversations six months, a year, five years down the road, to assess the progress made and work remaining. We must also acknowledge that Canada has its own challenges with racism, ones that are just as serious as those in the US but unique to our culture and history. For this reason, we cannot simply import solutions from abroad, but must work towards a distinctively Canadian solution. By proactively addressing the issues in our own backyard, we will set an example for others across the world.
Thank you for listening and I hope that I have left you with a few things to think about or to take away. In the end, all one can ask is simply: be true to who you are, believe in your value system of fairness and equity, call out injustice and be genuine. We individually can do our little part to keep the conversation alive to make change a reality."
Kevin Hare, Interim Dean, Faculty of Mathematics, University of Waterloo:
"I am deeply troubled by recent events in the US, here at home and around the world. The University does not tolerate racism, the Faculty does not tolerate racism and I personally do not tolerate racism.
By the same measure, the Faculty of Mathematics acknowledges that we’re not immune from racism and the negative impacts that result from racist structures. There is more we can and will do to combat racism in all its forms and create a more inclusive and equitable world. We vow to listen and do better.
The University and the Faculty of Mathematics are committed to immediate actions that you can find on the HREI website. I am also working closely with our incoming Dean, Mark Giesbrecht, who shares my concern and sense of urgency about these issues, to take further actions."
