What we’re about
Welcome to HAT's (Humanist Association of Toronto's) Official Meetup Page! Let's get together and support the advancement of scientific, academic, medical and human rights efforts! Humanism is a worldview which says that reason and science are the best ways to understand the world around us, and that dignity and compassion should be the basis for our actions. Visit us at our WEBSITE | FACEBOOK
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- HAT ForumLink visible for attendees
The Humanist Association of Toronto
http://www.humanisttoronto.ca/Every Saturday we meet on Zoom to discuss a topic decided upon the previous week. These are topics of humanist interest, from a humanist perspective.
The topic of the discussion will be decided in a prior meeting, usually two weeks in advance. This week’s topic is: Critical Race Theory by Howard Gibson
# What is CRT?
What the hell is critical race theory?
Wikipedia
CRT is an academic field that focuses on the relationships between the social conceptions of race, and ethnicity, social and political laws, and mass media. According to Wikipedia, CRT considers racism to be systemic in laws and rules. It is not based on individuals' prejudices. The word "systemic" links to their page on Institutional racism.
System racism is a part of American society, affecting education, housing, healthcare, and the legal system. Racism is embedded in laws, policies and institutions. The racism goes beyond individually held prejudices, and is woven into the laws and institutions of the nation.
CRT scholars argue that race is a social construct rather than a biological reality. Race is used to oppress and exploit people of colour.
It began in the post-civil rights are in the 1970s, as lawyers recognized that civil rights were being eroded and rolled back. CRT started off as legal theory, but it has been adopted by sociologists and feminists.
Conservatve activist Christopher Rufo seems to have started off the current controversy about CRT, claiming that it is being taught in schools.# Discussion Questions
- Is CRT a meaningful concept that helps us understand American institutions?
- Are Canadian institutions racist as per the definition by CRT?
- Is race really just a social construct?
- How do we manage political activists who lie about or wildly exaggerate issues?
- Civil rights legislation in the USA was rammed down the throats of some fanatical white supremacists. How responsible are the rest of us white folk for this?
# References
- Race Is a Social Construct, Scientists Argue From the Scientific American, by Megan Gannon & LiveScience. Racial categories are weak proxies for genetic diversity and need to be phased out. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/race-is-a-social-construct-scientists-argue/
- Critical Race Theory Frequently Asked Questions From the LDF — Legal Defense Fund. https://www.naacpldf.org/critical-race-theory-faq/
- Race and Biology by Beth Baker on Oxford Academic. The article claims that 94% of generic variation is found within populations, while 6% is found between populations. https://academic.oup.com/bioscience/article/71/2/119/6101069
Meet our diverse group, trade perspectives in a free and open forum and learn from others as they learn from you!
BTW: don't be concerned if there are not many RSVP’s. Many HAT members attend regularly but don’t sign up on Meetup. Our online meetings have been very popular with 20-30 attendees.
NOTE: The HAT Forum adheres strictly to the City of Toronto Policy on Non-Discrimination (http://www.the519.org/public/content/policy-files/The519SpaceUsePolicy.pdf)
Our Website (http://www.humanisttoronto.ca/)
- HAT Forum - Sexual Harassment and Violence Against Women in the Skilled TradesLink visible for attendees
The Humanist Association of Toronto
http://www.humanisttoronto.ca/Every Saturday we meet on Zoom to discuss a topic decided upon the previous week. These are topics of humanist interest, from a humanist perspective.
The topic of the discussion will be decided in a prior meeting, usually two weeks in advance. This week’s topic is: Violence Against Women in the Skilled Trades - introduced by Ryn Loewe
The Prevalence of Sexual Harassment and Violence Against Women in the Skilled Trades
Despite growing efforts to diversify the skilled trades, sexual harassment and gender-based violence remain alarmingly prevalent for women and gender-diverse individuals in these fields. A 2024 report by YWCA Halifax revealed that 91% of women and gender-diverse tradespeople in Nova Scotia experienced at least one form of sexual or gender-based harassment, with most incidents occurring on job sites and often perpetrated by men in positions of authority.
This hostile environment contributes to high attrition rates among women apprentices, who often face not only harassment but also isolation, discrimination, and lack of support. Many do not report incidents due to fear of retaliation, disbelief, or normalization of such behavior within male-dominated workplaces.
The Rise of Peer Support Through Social Media
In response to these challenges, women in the skilled trades have built vibrant online communities to share experiences, offer mentorship, and foster solidarity. Hashtags like #WomenOfSteel, #TradeswomenTalk, and #SheBuilds have become rallying points on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. These groups provide safe spaces for tradeswomen to connect, troubleshoot workplace issues, celebrate achievements, and organize advocacy efforts.
Initiatives like ConnectHER and Women in Skilled Trades (WiST) also use social media to amplify voices, promote events, and build networks across provinces. These digital communities are not just support systems—they’re catalysts for cultural change in the trades.
Moving Toward Safer, More Inclusive Workplaces
Organizations like the Canadian Construction Association and WomanACT are partnering to reshape workplace culture through training and policy reform, aiming to create safer, more inclusive environments in the trades. But systemic change requires more than policy—it demands a cultural shift, one that these online communities are helping to lead.Meet our diverse group, trade perspectives in a free and open forum and learn from others as they learn from you!
BTW: don't be concerned if there are not many RSVP’s. Many HAT members attend regularly but don’t sign up on Meetup. Our online meetings have been very popular with 20-30 attendees.
NOTE: The HAT Forum adheres strictly to the City of Toronto Policy on Non-Discrimination (http://www.the519.org/public/content/policy-files/The519SpaceUsePolicy.pdf)
Our Website (http://www.humanisttoronto.ca/)
