Black Lives Matter (Canada): Panel Discussion with Asiyah, Devi, John, & Towela (Part III)

Black Lives Matter (Canada): Panel Discussion with Asiyah, Devi, John, & Towela (Part III)
In Part 3 of our 3-part series, the panelists discuss Black Lives Matter Canada -- the differences between the Canadian & American experiences; the concepts of 'Tokenism' & 'Allyship;' and the movement to reallocate resources from police services to mental health & other social services.
The panelists are:
Asiyah Robinson (Victoria, BC) was born and raised in Freeport, Grand Bahama. Asiyah is an active community member, using her voice to represent her Black and Muslim communities. She is a core member of Resilience BC’s Steering and Advisory Committees. Asiyah is also a member of Iye Creative Community, an initiative dedicated to Black sovereignty. She is a recent graduate of the University of Victoria, majoring in Biochemistry and Chemistry.
Dr. Devi Mucina (Victoria, BC) is an Indigenous Ubuntu from the Ngoni and Shona people of southern Africa. He received his PhD from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, Department of Sociology and Equity Studies, University of Toronto. He is now an Associate Professor and Director of the Indigenous Governance Program at UVic, as well as a researcher focused on Black Indigenous masculinities.
John Lennard (Montreal, QC) is a tax lawyer and Partner at Davies, Ward, Phillips. He completed his legal studies at McGill University, where he double majored in common and civil law. He has been active in politics and the not-for-profit sector, including volunteering with Centraide Montreal. He has been outspoken regarding political corruption and has been demanding accountability from our leadership.
Towela Mkanda (Winnipeg, MB) is the CEO of W.H.O.A, an organization dedicated to bringing African and Canadian cultures together through dance, song and storytelling. Her educational background is in the global political economy. She has been very active in the movement towards equal rights, inclusion and the recognition of diversity.
Devi's Book, Ubuntu Relational Love: Decolonizing Black Masculinities is available for purchase here: uofmpress.ca/b...