Jane Finch Action Against Poverty: Call to Action

Where: Vari Hall, York University
When: 3:30 pm, September 19, 2012
To: all organizations, students, unions, clubs and residents at York University and students who live or once lived in the Jane-Finch community:

Please join Jane Finch Action Against Poverty (JFAAP) and DisOrientation for an action at York University on September 19, 2012. We will be meeting in Vari Hall on September 19th at 3:30pm to discuss and raise awareness about the systemic discrimination against Jane Finch Community which is being perpetuated at York University. In particular, we are calling everyone’s attention to the Excalibur paper’s article by its Editor-In-Chief, which contained misinformation and prejudicial stereotype of our community. The article shamelessly states that the safety problems and sexual assaults at York University “are coming from the area immediately surrounding our campus, one of the most infamous high-crime areas in the country.”

Despite our protest letters to Excalibur and to the administration of York University, no apologies or even a simple explanation has been given to our community. While we appreciate support by our allies at York including but not limited to York University Faculty Association, CUPE 3903, Gradate Students’ Association and OPIRG-York; nevertheless, we think York University and Excalibur owes our community a satisfactory explanation and a formal apology. York University is a part of the Jane and Finch community and broader Black Creek area, yet we are continuously misrepresented and demeaned through popular media and now York University's media as well. Many York and Seneca @ York students come from Jane and Finch. We are the diverse community that safely houses thousands of your students each year. York staff and its students have been given access to Jane and Finch community regularly for their academic pursuits (i.e. student work experience, research, meeting spaces, funding, etc.). However, with all the public funding and community support that the University receives, our neighbourhood gets a very few benefits.

It is a well-known fact that sexual assaults on college and university campuses are serious problems in many places including at York University. These acts of violence have historically been generated out of the chauvinistic and misogynistic cultures still dominating many universities and the society at large. Only when York, other educational institutions and all levels of government start to take responsibility for this will there be some progress in addressing the problem.

We have decided that we will not allow being the scapegoat any longer. Come join members of JFAAP as we stand up against Excalibur and debunk popular beliefs.

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Wednesday Sept. 19th 6PM - 9PM
Jane-Finch Action Against Poverty (JFAAP)
Black Creek Community Health Centre (BCCHC), York Gate Mall (1 Yorkgate Blvd.)

Jane and Finch Action Against Poverty (JFAAP) is a resident-led grassroots coalition of community residents, activists, workers and organizations working to eliminate poverty in our community and in the world. Join the JFAAP meeting on Wednesday, September 19th to learn more about the successes of JFAAP, how to be involved in future events, rallies, and social movements. You will also have an opportunity to meet and greet with local residents, eat some good food, and view photos of past events. JFAAP is constantly looking for volunteers with a strong sense of social activism and community values. JFAAP meets at 6pm on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month at the Black Creek Community Health Centre in Yorkgate Mall; new members are always welcome!