RNAO observes Black August

As professionals bound by moral and ethical obligations, nurses must denounce oppression and discrimination in all its forms. Nurses, can be, and are important allies for survivors of anti-Black racism, underserviced and vulnerable populations in their fight for social justice. 

RNAO observes Black August, a month to reflect and learn about the legacies of Black revolutionaries and honour the lives of those who were killed or imprisoned for simply defending their freedoms. Black August originated in California’s prisons in the 1970s after the deaths of brothers Jonathan and George Jackson. 50 years later, we still are witnessing the violent and brutal murders of innocent Black lives around the world. 

We implore all RNAO members and the public to join the #BlackLivesMatter movement as we courageously pursue the freedom, justice and equal opportunities for Black people – including nurses at home and around the world. 

Since June 2020, RNAO’s Black Nurses Task Force has been leading a webinar series entitled “Let’s Talk about Anti-Black Racism and Discrimination in Nursing”.  These are facilitated by the task force’s co-chairs Dr Angela Cooper Brathwaite and NP Corsita Garraway.