Why is anti-Black racism still a problem in Ontario?

  • Kelly

    Member
    February 11, 2021 at 9:39 am

    The term “democratic racism” was not something I was familiar with but it resonated with me in the sense that describes the Canadian “style” of racism that is prevalent today. We have established a netting of false myths related to our progress in tackling issues related to race and discrimination while ignoring the facts and trends that permeate the Canadian systems. In addition, we fall back on a false sense of being morally progressive and can often justify examples of racism as off shoot events or explain it as “old canadian notions that are wrong, but not a part of the new “Canadian” identity. These perceptions are dangerous because it allows for our systems to be unchallenged and it justifies the status quo when we only choose to focus on false positive myths.

    • Chantal

      Member
      February 23, 2021 at 12:07 pm

      Hi Kelly, thanks for sharing your perspective! I definitely agree that within Canada, there is this comparison with other countries, like the U.S., that is used to undermine the real impacts of systemic racism in our society. This tactic often results in the silencing and erasure of Black voices who challenge that system, because racism is ignored or is said to be “over” by many who have the privilege to not think about race.

  • Rahma

    Member
    February 10, 2021 at 10:34 am

    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

      Member
      March 29, 2021 at 3:12 pm

      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

    Member
    February 8, 2021 at 11:16 pm

    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

      Member
      March 17, 2021 at 10:46 am

      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

      Member
      March 11, 2021 at 6:23 pm

      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

      Member
      February 9, 2021 at 9:42 am

      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

        Member
        February 9, 2021 at 1:01 pm

        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

    Member
    February 6, 2021 at 10:55 am

    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.

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