Systematic change cannot start without disrupting the currently existing systems. We cannot expect future generations to do better without providing them with the tools they need. We cannot be surprised at the complacency of people when our current system intentionally under educates and keeps us out of sync with the current realities.  

Ask yourself:

What education was provided to you about the 200 years of slavery in Canada?

How much did you learn about segregation within our own borders? 

What did you learn about the countless broken treaties with our indigenous community?

What are the current living conditions on reserves?

Why is there such gross disparity in wealth and incarceration across racialized communities? 

What did your schools actually teach you about the history of Canada and all that took place to get us to where we are now?

How much of our history has been glossed over so it because more palatable? 

In Ontario, thousands of students wear pink shirts in support of anti-bullying. Orange Shirt Day has also been introduced across Canadian schools, where students wear orange shirts in solidarity with Indigenous victims of the residential school system.

We are petitioning for Black Shirt Day to be introduced in Ontario, in recognition of the struggle for civil rights fought by Black and racialized Canadians. We propose that Black Shirt Day be established on January 15th, the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., the great civil rights leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner.

We believe this will be an important step in raising greater awareness of the ongoing struggle for civil and human rights faced by Black and racialized Canadians, and help to foster solidarity against all forms of racism and hate.

We hereby petition the Ontario Ministry of Education to designate Friday, January 15th, 2022, as Black Shirt Day in recognition of the struggle for civil rights of Black and racialized Canadians.

We are aiming to have 10,000 signatures on the petition. If spreading the word of our petition on social media, please use #BlackShirtDay. Thank you for your support.