Natalie Chambers
On the heels of a global flashpoint due to anti-Black, anti-Asian, and anti-Indigenous racism, awareness heightened about the systemic racism seemingly embedded in the fabric of our society. Under the leadership of the School of Nursing’s Director, the executive leadership team committed to taking a stand by condemning the structural racism and violence enacted by those in positions of public service, including in law enforcement, in health care, and in universities. Besides, the Canadian Nursing Code of Ethics challenges nurses to “improve systems and societal structures to create greater equity and better health” (2017). In the spirit of reaffirming our intentions to transform education, health care, and society—including here at UBC, the SON leadership team hosted a virtual town hall, creating a safe space for listening, reflection and questions. Our Director committed to taking tangible steps towards enacting change, and the Anti-Racism Task Force was subsequently established as a working group consisting of faculty, staff, and students. Throughout the summer and fall, we have been actively working on teasing out formal Terms of Reference, comprehensive Domains of Action, and specific actionable steps, to make the School of Nursing a more inclusive community where everyone can feel welcome, safe, supported, and included.
