Category: Social Justice

COMBAT ANTI-BLACK RACISM

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“There are many actions we can and must take to start to eliminate anti-Black racism in Canada and drive lasting change. It starts on the individual level, where we encourage Canadians to speak up, identify inequities, commit to action, and become allies in the movement for change.” – Civic Action, 2020

Three Things You Can Do To Help Combat Anti-Black Racism

Source: » anti-Black Racism Social Action Cards from Centennial College and City of Toronto

 1. Acknowledge how racism has shaped you

Racism is like an invisible gas that we all breathe. Whether we benefit from it or internalize messages that harm us, racism shapes our thinking and actions, often unconsciously, even if we don’t want it to. Once we acknowledge that, we can begin to explore how we contribute to the problem and what we might do to stop it.

2. Educate yourself

Become aware of the holes in your knowledge. Once you are aware of the holes, it is your responsibility to begin filling them in.

3. Speak up and do your part

Too often, the job of speaking out against racism is left to people of colour. This is unfair. To be effective, all people must be willing to do a good part of the heavy lifting.

Anti-Black Racism in Canada

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“Black History Month in Canada is essential since it educates Canadians. Few Canadians know that slavery once existed in Canada, or that many of the British Loyalists who came here after the American Revolution were Black. They do not know that segregation was accepted in Canada well into the 1960s. It is a reminder to all Canadians that racism is not a matter just of the past.” – (Donald H. Oliver, 2008)

Despite how far society has come, anti-Black racism remains an ongoing issue in Canada. A 2020 report from Civic Action sheds light on the pervasive reality of anti-Black racism in Canada and what to do about it.

To encourage ongoing learning in honour of Black History Month, we encourage you to read this report to better understand how anti-Black racism continues to impact Black Canadians: https://www.bcg.com/en-ca/publications/2020/reality-of-anti-black-racism-in-canada

Some highlights from the report include:

  • Black students are four times more likely to be expelled from a Toronto high school than White students
  • Black university graduates earn only 80 cents for every dollar earned by White university graduates – despite having the same credentials
  • Black women are three times less likely to have a family doctor than non-racialized women in Ontario

For more information about the pervasive issue of anti-Black racism in Canada, you can read the Civic Action report or check out the following educational resource from the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion on the history of race relations in Canada: https://ccdi.ca/media/2342/20200804-toolkit-a-brief-history-of-race-relations-in-canada.pdf

Black History Month

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February is Black History Month. Black history in Canada has not always been celebrated or highlighted. Though this month is an important time to reflect on, learn about, and address anti-black racism, it is also an important time to recognize and celebrate the many achievements and contributions of Black Canadians and their communities who, throughout history, have done so much to make Canada the culturally diverse, compassionate, and prosperous nation it is today.

Black History Month offers an important opportunity to celebrate and amplify Black voices while continuing to address racism and embrace anti-racism in our lives. There are many ways we can celebrate Black Canadians everyday – including supporting Black-owned businesses, immersing yourself in storytelling and culture while supporting Black storytellers, and learning more about the rich history and contributions of Black Canadians.

If you’re not quite sure where to start, here are some suggestions:

For more information about Black History Month in Canada, visit:

FREE VIRTUAL EVENT!

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An Evening with Dr. Jeff Corntassel

December 9th, 2021

@ 6:30 – 8:00 PM CST / 7:30 – 9:00 PM EST

FREE

Join 7 Generations Educational Institute on Zoom for a conversation with Dr. Jeff Corntassel as he discusses the significance of everyday acts of resurgence and sustainable self-determination. Participation is free and open to everyone.

Register online at here! Please click “Submit” when you register.

About Dr. Jeff Corntassel:

Dr. Jeff Corntassel is a writer, teacher and father from the Cherokee Nation. Jeff received his PhD in Political Science from the University of Arizona in 1998. His research and teaching interests include Indigenous political movements, community resurgence, and sustainable self-determination. He is currently Associate Professor in the Indigenous Studies Department at the University of Victoria and Associate Director of the Centre for Indigenous Research and Community-Led Engagement (CIRCLE). His research and teaching interests focus on “Everyday Acts of Resurgence” and the intersections between Indigenous resurgence, climate change, gender, and community well-being. He is currently completing work for his forthcoming book on Sustainable Self-Determination, which examines Indigenous climate justice, food security, and gender-based resurgence. Access to Jeff’s recent writings and an archive of downloadable PDF versions of his academic research papers, as well as future writings are available here.

Find out more here!

Don’t forget to register!

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  • How does learning happen? An ongoing invitation for transformation
  • Breaking the Box: Gender and Freedom in Young Children’s Lives
  • There’s always a story: Strengthening Indigenous Trauma-Informed Approaches
  • Nurturing Futures in the Face of Climate Change
  • Tools for Well-Being:
    For Yourself and the Children

Visit the Calendar for more details!