Racism Can be Prevented in Canada.
Canada is one of the most diverse countries in the world, and it is important to ensure that all people can live free from racism and discrimination. Racism is a major issue in Canada, with many individuals facing prejudice, intimidation and unfair treatment due to their race or ethnicity. To create a more inclusive society, it is essential to take proactive steps to prevent racism. In this article, we will explore what measures can be taken by individuals, organizations and governments to reduce racism in Canadian society.
It begins with us as individuals taking the time to educate ourselves about different cultures and perspectives on race and racism. This means being willing to recognize our biases, prejudices, stereotypes and privilege when it comes to understanding the experiences of others from different backgrounds than our own. We also need to make sure that we are actively supporting anti-racist initiatives in our communities, whether through donating or volunteering for organizations dedicated to creating positive change or engaging in difficult conversations about race with friends, family members and co-workers.
- According to the 2019 General Social Survey (GSS) on Canadians’ Safety, nearly half (46%) of Black people aged 15 years and older reported experiencing at least one form of discrimination in the past 5 years, compared to 16% of the non-Indigenous, non-visible minority population.
- Of all Black people, four in ten (41%) experienced discrimination based on their race or skin colour, about 15 times higher than the proportion among the non-Indigenous, non-visible minority population (3%).
- Experiences of discrimination were much more common among Canadian-born Black people (65%E) than among Black immigrants (36%).
- Data from the GSS show that a considerably higher proportion of Black people experienced discrimination in 2019 than in 2014 (46% versus 28%).
- Discrimination was more common among the Indigenous population than among populations who are both non-Indigenous and non-visible minority (33% versus 16%). More specifically, 44% of First Nations people had experienced discrimination in the 5 years preceding the survey, as had 24% of Métis and 29% of Inuit.
- Among those who were discriminated against, 21% of Indigenous people and 16%E of Black people said it was when dealing with police, compared with 4% of non-Indigenous, non-visible minority people who experienced discrimination.
- Experiences of discrimination were more common among Indigenous people in 2019 (33%) than they were in 2014 (23%).
Here are some ways that Racism Can be Prevented in Canada in your community:
1. Learn to recognize and understand your own privilege.
One of the first steps to eliminating racial discrimination is learning to recognize and understand your own privilege. Racial privilege plays out across social, political, economic, and cultural environments. Checking your privilege and using your privilege to dismantle systemic racism are two ways to begin this complex process.
However, race is only one aspect of privilege. Religion, gender, sexuality, ability status, socio-economic status, language, and citizenship status can all affect your level of privilege. Using the privileges that you have to collectively empower others requires first being aware of those privileges and acknowledging their implications.
2. Examine your own biases and consider where they may have originated.
What messages did you receive as a kid about people who are different from you? What was the racial and/or ethnic make-up of your neighbourhood, school, or religious community? Why do you think that was the case? These experiences produce and reinforce bias, stereotypes, and prejudice, which can lead to discrimination. Examining our own biases can help us work to ensure equality for all.
3. Validate the experiences and feelings of people of colour.
Another way to address bias and recognize privilege is to support the experiences of other people and engage in tough conversations about race and injustice. We cannot be afraid to discuss oppression and discrimination for fear of “getting it wrong.” Take action by learning about the ways that racism continues to affect our society. For example, by watching documentaries, such as 13th, or reading books, such as Americanah or Hidden Figures.*
As advocates, we learn about domestic violence by listening to survivors of domestic violence. Similarly, the best way to understand racial injustice is by listening to people of colour.
4. Challenge the “colorblind” ideology.
It is a pervasive myth that we live in a “post-racial” society where people “don’t see color.” Perpetuating a “colorblind” ideology actually contributes to racism.
When Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. described his hope for living in a colorblind world, he did not mean that we should ignore race. It is impossible to eliminate racism without first acknowledging race. Being “colorblind” ignores a significant part of a person’s identity and dismisses the real injustices that many people face as a result of race. We must see colour in order to work together for equity and equality.
5. Call out racist “jokes” or statements.
Let people know that racist comments are not okay. If you are not comfortable or do not feel safe being confrontational, try to break down their thought process and ask questions. For example, “That joke doesn’t make sense to me, could you explain it?” Or “You may be kidding, but this is what it means when you say that type of thing.” Do not be afraid to engage in conversations with loved ones, coworkers, and friends. Microaggressions, which can appear in the form of racist jokes or statements, perpetuate and normalize biases and prejudices. Remember that not saying anything – or laughing along – implies that you agree. Racism Can be Prevented in Canada
6. Find out how your company or school works to expand opportunities for people of colour.
Systemic racism means that there are barriers – including wealth disparities, criminal justice bias, and education and housing discrimination – that stack the deck against people of colour in the workplace or at school. For example, the African American Policy Forum (AAPF) reported that in 2014, a 12-year-old girl faced criminal charges, in addition to expulsion from school, for writing “hi” on a locker room wall. Their campaign, #BlackGirlsMatter, addresses the issues of overpoliced and unprotected Black girls within the education system. It is important for companies and schools to address these issues and promote a culture of equity.
7. Be thoughtful with your finances.
Take a stand with your wallet. Know the practices of companies that you invest in and the charities that you donate to. Make an effort to shop at small, local businesses and give your money back to the people living in the community. Your state or territory may have a directory of local, minority-owned businesses in your area.
8. Adopt an intersectional approach in all aspects of your life.
Remember that all forms of oppression are connected. You cannot fight against one form of injustice and not fight against others. Racism Can be Prevented in Canada!
