Racism

This resource is one sections compiled for resources regarding personal safety. To access the other sections, you can follow our link here, it will take you to the introductory resource on Safety which contains a directory to the other sections.

These topics contain content that may be triggering to some, if you feel that you are in crisis please reach out to one of the following or go here for a list of crisis and helplines available in your area.

For Indigenous Peoples, Hope for Wellness: 1-855-242-3310 Available 24/7

For Trans people of all ages, Trans LifeLine: 1-877-330-6366 Available 24/7

For Youth 20 and under, Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868 Available 24/7

For people with thoughts of suicide, Suicide Prevention and Support: 1-833-456-4566 Available 24/7

Experiences of racism can range from microaggressions, cultural appropriation, to blatant hate crimes, and physical assault.

Race-based stress and trauma extends beyond direct experiences of racism. We are surrounded by the constant reminders that race-related danger can occur to anyone, at any time, and anywhere. We can experience vicarious traumatization from the constant reporting, sharing, and witnessing of racist instances against people we may not know but share a cultural history with.

What is Systemic Racism

_{Copyright ©2020 Dr. Tony Evans}

Cultural appropriation is the inappropriate adoption of the customs, practices, traditions, fashions, and ideas of minority cultural groups by members of a different and more dominant group; however other minority groups are capable of cultural appropriation, as historically minority groups have been separated from one another by the dominant group. Cultural appropriation differs from cultural exchange in that cultural exchange is the voluntary sharing of cultures, whereas cultural appropriation is aspects of one minority culture being taken by another of a more dominant culture, without context. Often those who are appropriating another’s culture are lauded and praised for the stolen aspect, while those from that culture are either treated terribly for exhibiting that aspect of their culture, or completely banned from doing so.

Cultural appropriation is the result of globalization and the continuation of the colonization mindset – which is the belief that intervention is needed for the betterment of another people, and that what is theirs is also ours. Often when attempting to defend cultural appropriation people will point at examples of cultural exchange, or at a different example of cultural appropriation. Cultural appropriation is a form of theft, even if not legally, and can very easily lead to the degradation of cultures. That is because that which is sacred and has cultural protocol within one culture, is often taken without context, without the proper protocol, and then it is diluted, and trivialized by those that are appropriating it.

Cultural Appropriation vs. Appreciation

_{Copyright ©2017 PBS}

Anti-Black Racism, or Anti-Blackness, is the term used to highlight the unique nature of the systemic racism that Black people experience globally. It includes the distinct and complex history of the oppression of Black people; from the codification of Blackness, the displacement and disenfranchisement of Black people through colonialism and the transatlantic slave trade, and the continued othering of Black peopleTo say that Anti-Blackness is just racism against Black people oversimplifies the matter; Anti-Blackness is rooted in society's disdain, disregard and disgust towards the very existence of Black people. In other words, Anti-Blackness is rooted in society's wilful inability to recognise Black people's humanity. Anti-Black Racism is systemic and systematic, meaning that Anti-Blackness is intentionally spread throughout the very fabric of society. Anti-Blackness is so embedded in society, that it is commonplace; it’s in our policies, institutions, economics, and within our cultural norms. Anti-Black beliefs and attitudes are internalised to the point that Anti-Blackness tends to only be noticed by Black people; as such, anyone is capable of Anti-Blackness.

The Fight to End Anti-Black Racism

_{Copyright ©2020 The Agenda with Steve Paikin}

Facts:

• Indigenous women and girls are 16 times more likely than Caucasian women to be murdered or go missing in Canada
• Indigenous women are sexually assaulted 3 times more than non-Indigenous women
• 53% of Indigenous Peoples have reported that they have experienced reoccurring racism, with 22% of First Nations respondents saying that they experience racism regularly
• 73% of Indigenous Peoples have reported that within Canada they experience racism often
• 79% of Indigenous Peoples have reported that the racism they have experienced bothers them
• 65% of Indigenous Peoples say that they have witnessed racism against another Indigenous person or peoples

Resources:

            If someone is making you feel unsafe, remember that it is not your fault and that you are not alone. Please consider reaching out for help.

• If you need someone to talk to, you can reach a professional counsellor at Kids Help Phone 24/7 by either calling 1-800-668-6868, or by texting “Connect” to 686868
• If you are in need of immediate mental health counselling and/or crisis intervention, you can reach a professional and culturally competent counsellor at Hope for Wellness 24/7 via their online chat counselling services, or by calling 1-855-242-3310
• If you are trans or Two-Spirit and you are in crisis or need to talk to someone who understands what you are going through, you can reach call the Trans Lifeline at 1-877-330-6366. While their operators are guaranteed to be on call during the following hours, operators are also frequently available during off-hours, so please call whenever you need to
  • Eastern: 10am – 4am
  • Central: 9am – 3am
  • Pacific: 7am – 1am
• If you are being bullied and need someone to talk to you can call or text the Bullying Hotline Canada at 877-352-4497, or through email 24/7/365 at support@bullyingcanada.ca
• If you are under the age of 30 and are either in crisis or in need of someone to talk to you can access the ca crisis and emotional support through their online chat portal or by texting them at 778-783-0177, from 6pm – 12am PST 365 days a year
• If you are in crisis, you can reach out to Crisis Services Canada either by calling them 24/7 at 1-833-456-4566 or by text at 45645 from 4pm – 12 am EST