Richard Bilkszto Wiki – Richard Bilkszto Biography

The principal of a Toronto school has committed suicide after being accused of supporting white supremacy for calling out a black instructor during anti-racism training. Richard Bilkszto, 60, worked in the Toronto School District for 24 years and served as deputy principal at Burnhamthorpe Collegiate Institute in Etobicoke, where he faced workplace harassment as a result of an anti-racism dispute with a coach.

He filed a lawsuit earlier this year, alleging that his reputation was “systematically demolished” and that he was labeled a white supremacist for his comments questioning racism in Canada. But on July 13, his lawyer, Lisa Bildy, announced on Twitter that Bilkszto had taken his own life. “Unfortunately, the stress and effects of these incidents continued to affect Richard,” she wrote in a lengthy statement. ‘Last week, he succumbed to this anguish.

“His family and friends of his were left feeling sorry and wishing they had the opportunity to convince him that he was loved, respected and needed here.” Bilkszto’s troubles began on April 26, 2021, when educators from the Toronto District School Board attended an anti-racism training led by Kike Ojo-Thompson, the founder of the KOJO Institute, a consulting firm.

Richard Bilkszto Age

the age of Richard Bilkszto is 60 year.

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Why did Richard Bilkszto killed himself?

In his lawsuit, the Toronto Star reported, Bilkszto claimed that Ojo-Thompson told educators that Canada could be considered more racist than the United States because he “never counted on his anti-black history.” The principal, who had previously taught high school in Buffalo, New York, disagreed with the sentiment.

He said it would be “an incredible disservice to our students” to suggest that the US is a fairer country than Canada, according to the lawsuit, which claims Ojo-Thompson reacted “virulently.” He allegedly lashed out at the director for appearing to undermine a black woman. “We’re here to talk about racism against black people, but you, in your whiteness, think you can tell me what’s really going on with black people,” Ojo-Thompson reportedly said.

The lawsuit added that Bilkszto tried to de-escalate the situation, admitting that there was racism against black people in Canada, but argued that the evidence suggested that “we are a much more just society” than the United States. But in another session the following week, Ojo-Thompson allegedly restated the argument, describing it to Bilkszto and his colleagues as a “real life” example of someone who supports white supremacy.

As a consequence, according to the lawsuit, Bilkszto suffered harassment in the workplace, which caused him “severe emotional distress” and, as a result, he had to take stress leave. He filed a ‘mental stress injury’ claim with the Canada Work Safety and Insurance Board, which awarded him two months of lost earnings.

The board investigated Bilkszto’s claims and found that Ojo-Thompson’s conduct was “abusive, egregious and vexatious, rising to the level of workplace harassment and intimidation.” But after his six-week medical leave, the Toronto school district refused to reinstate Bilkszto’s contract, which he said was the result of his tarnished reputation or the board’s investigation, he said.

In recent months, the Star reports, Bilkszto has remained active in the community, often advocating against school district programs aimed at addressing inequity. Since then, the school board has acknowledged Bilkszto’s death without mentioning his lawsuit, which never went to court.

He thanked the director for his 24 years of service and for returning as an acting director after briefly retiring in 2021. “Our hearts go out to Richard’s family and loved ones,” Toronto District School Board spokesman Ryan Bird said in a statement. “He was a strong advocate for students, particularly in adult and alternative education, and worked tirelessly to create an environment that fostered success for students of all ages.” KOJO also provided a written statement offering his condolences.

In that statement to the Star, the institute stated that any interaction with individual employees was “brief” and that they had “no involvement” in any investigation by the school board or WSIB. The institute has previously disputed Bilkszto’s allegations, saying the lawsuit paints “an inaccurate and incomplete picture” of what happened at the training session.Read More……..