York University students on Wednesday demanded at a virtual press conference their school take accountability for anti-Black racism.
Over an impassioned Zoom call, students and community allies expressed their frustration with the scrutiny that they say Black students and staff face at York.
The conference primarily served as a rally for Lydia Dosu, a 24-year employee of York University, recently fired by the administration, which she alleged was due to anti-Black racism.
“They fired me on the first day I returned from sick leave, I was so humiliated I could barely think or move,” Dosu said at the Wednesday morning press conference.
Dosu delivered an emotional speech, breaking down into tears as she detailed her experience leading up to her termination on Jan. 31.
Dosu said that York University had deemed her a “health and safety risk” after making complaints of racial discrimination, no longer being allowed to step foot on campus or given the chance to say her farewells to students and colleagues.
“They made me feel like a criminal, they took everything from me and now I have nothing left to lose,” she said.
The ex-employee also alleged that during the investigation into her claims the investigator had accused her of having a sexual relationship with another black complainant.
“I felt like I was being interrogated.”
Another Black ex employee of York, Aimé Avolonto, has also said that he was fired due to anti-Black racism in his web posting “Letter from a Black colleague.”
Incidents like these are not only happening to staff, according to Adaeze Mbalaja, President, York Federation of Students.
Mbalaja said while it’s been a big year for students with the lift of COVID-19 restrictions and returning to campus, that isn’t the same feeling Black students get to share.
“We’re back on campus making the much needed connections surrounding academia, but as Black students we’re also back to experience the consistent anti-black racism pervasive to York University,” Mabalja said.
The YFS President said York University continues to pride themselves as leaders in equality and inclusion, but has yet to demonstrate a true commitment to tackling anti-black racism.
“We’ve been here before, and yet we remain in the same place due to a lack of action, accountability, and inability,” she said.
Mabalja went on to discuss how the increased police presence on campus and incidents like Dosu’s and Avolonto’s are instilling a fear of speaking out against discrimination into Black students, something Nathi Zamisa, President, York University Graduate Students’ Association has said he’s seen himself.
“Complaints about anti-black racism are being weaponized against the complainants. How do I tell my graduates that speaking out would just lead to more problems than solutions?” Zamisa said.
“Cases like Lydia’s are setting the precedent. Black people deserve to be treated as people. We are demanding York University address this situation,” he said.