[Rahma]

In Ontario, despite the decades of research and evidence, we are still lacking a structured response involving different levels of government with clear governance and coordination. Racism is pervasive and felt in many different settings especially within employment, education, health, housing, child welfare and immigration. I think we need better strategies and policies that address the different manifestations of racism that impact the daily lives of Black and Brown bodies.

[Raven]

100% agree. You would think with all the advances to research findings there would be more of a plan and/or response from our government leaders, but unfortunately no. Your right we do need strategies put into place to better address the racism black people face daily. Thanks so much for your insight.

[Jane]

I think what was covered in the lectures is the case: our country is founded on institutionalized racism but because of our history with the Underground Railroad, our focus on multiculturalism, and our tendency to compare ourselves with our neighbours to the south, many Canadians don’t think of themselves as racist. Denying it exists, or being blind to it, allows it to continue. I also think having politicians in office in both U.S. and Canada who are overtly racist and who scapegoat non-white people (to blame them for whatever is wrong with the country such as a terrible economy) has legitimized racists in sharing their views. So maybe it feels worse than ever before because people feel empowered to say this garbage, when before this kind of overt racism might have invisible to a white person (who has the privilege to move through life unaffected by anti-Black racism if they wish to). I can’ t speak to the Black experience as to whether there is an increase in racism but as a white person I certainly have detected an increase in racist hate speech in the last four to five years.

[Andri]

Exactly Jane. It’s in our roots. It is inescapable. And the denial of it’s existence is quite persistent in those same communities that we have seen a rise in hate speech.

[KELVIN]

Unfortunately I have to agree that to a great degree our own racism in Ontario/Canada has been overshadowed, in a negative way, by the same among our neighbours to the south. Statements like “it’s not as bad here” get translated into “it doesn’t exist here”.

[Kelly]

I definitely agree and I think the term institutionalized racism is very accurate. Canada has a history of systemic racist oppression and denial of opportunities developed by political leaders of any given time. I’ve read accounts of persecuted blacks seeking refuge in Canada only to find harsher economic living standards and higher degrees of control imposed on the level of wealth they could attain and the level of access to services or resources.

[Brittany]

I also agree. It’s not so much that it doesn’t happen it is however, the emphasis on the covert nature of racism within our society. We witness and experience it all the time, yet, because it isn’t shouted from the rooftops, we feel as though we need to be silent about it. The systemic oppression is maybe even more dangerous than that of the actual issue of racism because the system is what we run on. IMO.

[Khyonna]

In my opinion, anti-Black racism remains a troubling reality in Ontario, especially during these heightened events, because many Ontarians hold the belief that there is no race based differences and ignores the realities of deeply impeded racism. Also known as colour-blindness.

[Tarja]

I agree with you completely on this point.

[Uzo]

Agree, Khyonna! Yes, anti-Black racism remains too commonplace in
Ontario, because many people excuse the realities of deeply ingrained racism. Our report “Doing Right Together for Black Youth” found that the
#1 issue for Black youth was the persistent racism they and their families experienced across different systems. Check out the report here: https://youthrex.com/report/doing-right-together-for-black-youth-what-we-learned-from-the-community-engagement-sessions-for-the-ontario-black-youth-action-plan/

[Uzo]