Not sure how to support Black Lives Matter in Canada?
It may come as a shock to you, but yes, Black Lives Matter in Canada too.
February is Black History Month, a time for all of us to commemorate, celebrate, and honour the many achievements and contributions of Black individuals and communities across Canada and around the world.
It is also an opportunity to acknowledge and understand the ongoing challenges and barriers that Black individuals and communities have overcome and continue to face.
We have a long way to go, but we will get there as long as we continue to fight for our rights.
As much as you would like to ignore and think that there is no racism in Canada, I am here to tell you that, yes there is!
My husband, friends and family have experienced it and so have I!
In light of recent events, murders and occurrences of racial violence against the Black community, we felt the need to share and educate with you all how to cope.
I am saddened and extremely angry that we still have to go through this in this day and age.
Actually, it’s not really surprising as I see racism in Canada all the time. But things are just getting out of hand.
And that is not okay.
If you are like me, you might be:
- Feeling angry and scared
- In shock or feeling energized to do something
- Feeling discouraged and full of grief
- Feeling puzzled or uncertain about what to do or what is next
- Feeling all the above
Black History in Canada
This year marks 25 years since the first national declaration of Black History Month in Canada, and we also continue to observe the United Nations International Decade for People of African Descent (2015–2024).
You need to take the time to reflect and learn everything you need to know about how we can all work together towards a stronger, equitable, and more consciously inclusive society.
Black people and their communities have been a part of shaping Canada’s heritage and identity since the arrival of Mathieu Da Costa, a navigator and interpreter, whose presence in Canada dates back to the early 1600s.
As you know Black history in Canada has not always been celebrated or highlighted.
It’s time to change that.
Black History Month is about honouring the enormous contributions that Black people have made, and continue to make, in all sectors of society in Canada and around the world.
It is about celebrating resilience, innovation, and determination to work towards a more inclusive and diverse Canada!
Everyone is entitled to grow and become the best version of themselves regardless of race, creed, colour or gender!
As we know, that is not always the case in Canada.
This is most true if it’s convenient.
What to know about Black History Month and Black Lives Matter in Canada!
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Racism in Canada
Racism in Canada doesn’t stop at the border as most people want to believe.
And since the recent death of Regis Korchinski-Paquet in Toronto, we need to address this more than ever.
Turning a blind eye, or waiting for things to settle is not how we should handle things.
We need to work on creating a community that is equitable and safe for all.
According to this Ipsos poll, nearly a third of Canadians (28%) say they have personally experienced racism in the past year (+5%).
And in my opinion, this number is much greater.
📸Photos by @wyattheiberg, @zachheiberg
So what are you doing as an individual to make Canada safe and racist-free for all?
Every February, people in Canada are invited to participate in Black History Month festivities and events that honour the legacy of Black Canadians and their communities.
But to be honest, this should just be an on-going thing.
Why should only dedicate a month to Black History?
Our actions as a team will speak louder than our words:
- First, we need to admit that Canada is a racist country
- We need to ensure that discriminatory behaviours and language are not acceptable in our workplaces, schools or anywhere else for that matter.
- We should commit to self-education and self-learning to help inform our actions, beliefs and understanding.
- Think before we speak and never make assumptions
- Support anti-prejudice and anti-racist organizations
- Don’t laugh at racist, sexist, ageist, homophobic and other stereotypical jokes or assumptions
- Don’t turn away from a racist action taking place and simply ignore it, instead take a stand against racism in your community
- Take this quiz to test your knowledge of human rights and discrimination and to celebrate the human rights defenders who have fought for the rights of others.
And definitely read more about the UN’s global action plan to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.
Check out what actions have already being taken to combat racism globally!
To learn more about how to stop racism in Canada, visit the Canadian Anti-Racism Network website today.
We have a long way, but keep moving forward and fighting the fight.
Black Lives Matter Canada
If you want to learn more about Black Lives Matter, the is a headquarter right here in Toronto.
Janaya Khan is the co-founder of Black Lives Matter Toronto.
Janaya and Yusra Ali co-founded Black Lives Matter – Toronto (BLM–TO) in October of 2014 following the killing of Jermaine Carby, who was shot in a car by police during a routine traffic stop in Brampton, Ontario.
Since then they’ve worked to resist anti-Black racism in the Greater Toronto Area.
They have become a leading voice in the global crusade demanding social transformation, justice, and equality.
Known as the future within the BLM movement, khan is a Black, queer, gender-nonconforming activist, staunch Afro-futurist, boxer, and social-justice educator.
We are in this together so let’s demonstrate our desire for exclusivity in our collective actions.
Since 1996, the Government of Canada’s annual Black History Month campaign encourages people of all backgrounds to learn more about Black history in Canada.
Below you will find a great list of things you can do to learn more about Black people and Canada!
1. What to Read:
-
- Do the work: an anti-racist reading list
- “The Hate You Give” by Angie Thomas
- Le racism expliqué à ma fille par Tahar Ben Jelloun
- Why Are All The Black Kids Sitting Together In The Cafeteria? by Beverly Daniel Tatum
- “So you Want to Talk about Race” by Ijeoma Oluo
- “Me & White Supremacy: Combat Racism and Change the World” by Layla Saad
- “Policing Black Lives: State Violence in Canada” by Robyn Maynard
- “White Fragility” by Robin DiAngelo
- “How to Be an Antiracist” by Ibram Kendi
- “The Skin We’re In” by Desmond Cole
- “Blank: Essays and Interviews” by M. NourbeSe Philip
- “In the Black” by B. Denham Jolly
- The colour of compromise
- I’m still here
- So you want to talk about race
Read the biographies of some notable Black individuals who have helped shape Canadian heritage and identity, and who have made and continue to make enormous contributions to all sectors of society in Canada.
2. Things to watch:
If you are looking for things to watch, we have listed a few great movies, TV shows, documentaries and clips for you.
- To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)
- Do the Right Thing (1989)
- Malcolm X (1992)
- Dead Presidents (1995)
- Fruitvale Station (2013)
- 13th (2016)
- The Hate U Give
- Hidden Figures (2016)
- Moonlight (2016)
- Get Out (2017)
- When they See Us (2019)
- Selma
- If Beale Street could talk
- Just Mercy
- La Ligue Oubliée (court mètrage)
- Neuvième étage
- Zéro tolérance
- Briser le code
- ONF: Communautés Noires du Canada
- NFB Playlist: Anti-Racism Films
3. Things to listen to:
Here is what to listen to get just a tiny glimpse of what we go through as a Black Canadian or just being Black in general.
-
- Alright: Kendrick Lamar
- Brother: Shad
- Down with the System: Sum 01
- Warpath: Drezus
- Feelin’ Reserved: War Party
- Youssoupha: entourage
- Don’t Shoot: David East
- This is America: Childish Gambino
4. PODCASTS That Touch on Black Lives Matter topics:
- Nous et les autres: ce qu’est le racisme Apple podcasts
- Kiffe ta race Apple podcasts
- Pigments forts Apple podcasts
- Code Switch from NPR
- Colour & Code: Race in Canada from the Globe & Mai
- Seeing White
- Identity Politics
- 1619
Learn More About Black People in Canada and Racism:
- Canadian Race Relations Foundation
- Black Liberation Collective
- Canadian Anti-Racism Network
- Canada Anti-Hate Network
- Indigenous Awareness Canada
- Truth & Reconciliation Commission of Canada
- Truth & Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action
- Circles for Reconciliation
More Articles
5. Donating To A Cause for Black Organizations in Canada
Canada has a few organization that supports the Black Lives Matter campaigns to spread awareness.
If you want to see them grow and become the future, we urge you to donate to the following organizations:
- Black Lives Matter
- The Innocence Project
- Campaign Zero
- Black Indigenous Harm Reduction Alliance
- Black Youth Helpline
- Reconciliation Canada
6. Visit:
- Canadian Museum for Human Rights/Musée canadien pour les droits de la personne (Winnipeg) – check out the website here!
7. Supporting:
- Find your local anti-racism group and support them
- Can’t go out and protest? Here’s how to help from home
8. Things to Buy & Support Black People in Canada
Attend and support black events in your area.
For example, I attended the annual Caribbean street parade in Montreal known as the Carifiesta Montreal!
There a lot of amazing events around Canada that you can attend and support.
East, stay and shop at local stores from POC.
Think:
- Grocery stores
- Restaurant
- Hairdressers
- Buy books from BOC
- Art
Look up black businesses in your area.
For example, if I lookup Ottawa’s black-owned business, this comes up.
And there you have it, a quick guide about Black History Month in Canada and Black Lives Matter in Canada
As you know, it’s not as easy as 1, 2, 3 but there is always a start.
Click through the additional resources we have outlined and help support the cause.
We must work together to build lasting a stronger and better Canada that includes exclusivity.
I urge us to continue to build on the legacy of those who came before us too.
What are you doing to support Black Lives Matter in Canada?
We would love to hear from you.
And since it’s Black History Month, take the opportunity to do even more.
Don’t hesitate to share more resources as we should all be fighting the good fight!
Read next:
- 35 Positive Affirmations for Black Women Around the World
- 50 Powerful Quotes For A Strong Black Woman To Empower Self- Love