“I don’t see colour” can sound polite, but Nana Dei calls colourblindness an insult and explains why: the problem isn’t colour; it’s the meaning and power we attach to it. We talk about what it takes to teach with critical consciousness in Canada, where anti-Black racism, colonial history, and school gatekeeping still shape who feels valued, safe, and seen. 

Nana Day, a globally recognized University of Toronto OISE professor and advocate for Black African Canadian education, connects anti-racism education to anti-colonial thought, African indigeneity, and the responsibilities we owe our communities. 

Nana Day tackles the backlash to “wokeness” and critical race theory, arguing that anti-racist, anti-sexist, anti-homophobic, and anti-classist education is not a “special interest” but the common good. 

If you want sharper language for talking about race, decolonization, and equity in schools, and real guidance for teachers who aim to be “warriors” for marginalized students, press play. Subscribe, share this conversation with an educator, and leave a review with one idea you want schools to act on next.

You can view this podcast using the following link: https://youtu.be/Wja37mZhOvQ

Connect to Nana Dei: https://discover.research.utoronto.ca/3369-george-js-dei

Thoughts on the podcast? Send us a text message.

Support the show