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This booklet aims to address the racism and prejudice directed at people of colour today.
Because of such racism, those with
darker skin face difficulty in terms of wages and jobs, rights and resources. It takes courage to alter the messages we’ve digested about others. It’s hard work to take on racism. But it is important to
confront one of the worst social problems of our time. The author's goal is to expand the circle of people who care about ending racism.
The authors intend for white Canadians to be the main targets of this publication. According to the authors, this booklet is a response to the ongoing denial and minimization that well-intentioned white people display when they are challenged about racism.
This resource offers help to convince white people that racism exists and
maps out many possible actions that white people can take to work in solidarity with people of colour and to take action in their own families and neighbourhoods, workplaces and more broadly in society.
Many living in Canada think the problem of racism is over. It’s true that there is less segregation and fewer of the formal
barriers that blocked people of colour from receiving a good education or a good job. But the sad reality is that people of
colour continue to have second-class status in Canada, resulting in lesser quality of life and reduced chances for success. In
our post 9-11 world, there is surging discrimination against Arabs and Muslims, as they face the indiscriminate fallout of the“war on terrorism.”
Today in Canada, people of colour experience overwhelming hardship. As a group of people, too many people of colour face
severe social and economic exclusion. Today, Canada’s worst jobs are likely to be filled by people of colour. They face severe
barriers to fully participating in this country. Too many live in poverty and too many fail to succeed at school. They face
unique barriers in accessing health care and social programs. On average, they die earlier and live more difficult lives,
carrying the burden of racism and its stress and anxiety each and every day.
The booklet includes sections such as:
- A history lesson in racism
- What does 21st century racism look like?
- White privilege – the other side of racism
- But haven’t we made gains? Aren’t things getting better?
- Listening to people of colour – what they want from white people
- What can I do?
- Furthering our own learning – looking at language
- Interrupting racism and white privilege
- Changing more than our hearts and minds
- Answers and suggestions for scenarios
Language: English, French (PDF)
Format: This booklet is available for download in Adobe Acrobat PDF format [2.7 MB, 24 pages]
individual client advocacy, institutions and systems, community publications
