Dobler, our semi-regular guest, joins us to discuss the growing university campus protests in the Global North against the genocide in Gaza, and compare action and inaction that is happening in Canadian higher education spaces. We discuss the performative nature of Canadian academia’s dedication to decolonization and how their settler colonialism truth and reconciliation promises reveal themselves to be disingenuous as administration clamps down on students trying to bring anti-oppression theory into action.

We continue our discussion of the 2022 decision made in arbitration between York University and the York University Faculty Association regarding making justice public and connect administrative tactics of using racial stereotypes to elicit shame and a desire for secrecy (NDA) in the target of discrimination. We also discuss Shai Davidai, a Columbia University business professor, and his request to make public a tirade against student protesting against genocide and, what he states is the “cowardice” of the university principal. Davadai claims he is vulnerable, but do his words and extreme anger suggest otherwise? Are White professors like Davadai given a pass and/or rewarded for their rage, while BIPOC in universities must guard themselves against simply the imagination of being a threat?

The #metoo movement publicly named and exposed individuals who were accused of sexual assault, therefore should individuals accused of racism in academia get the same treatment? In this episode, we discuss the efforts from universities that shield the names and actions of White people accused of racism within these institutions, yet who allow the BIPOC accuser’s name to be sullied through retaliation by the White accused. With victim and perpetrator reversed, Higher Education administration argue that the White victim must be protected from the BIPOC perpetrator often relying on racialized stereotypes. In a 2022 decision made in arbitration between York University and the York University Faculty Association, our own co-founder Aime Avolonto’s case of wrongful termination was deemed to be “public”, thus revealing names of both accusers and witnesses, despite the administration’s attempts to maintain secrecy. We discuss the ruling, along with why the decision is an important first step in curtailing systemic racism on campus.