On October 21, 2019, Mr. Justin (blackface) Trudeau leader of the Liberal party in Canada, won his second term as Canada's Prime Minister. If you happen to watch Canadian news you would have heard that Mr. Trudeau did blackface on 4 occasions in his adult years! As part of the usual political mudslinging, someone leaked the photos of him imitating Harry Belafonte in high school and him wearing some Aladdin costume with blackface while he was a teacher at some swanky private school and again on two other occasions. With all the oohs and awes and OMGs over Trudeau's blackface and his involvement in the SNL Lavalin corruption case, he still won. After all, he did give Canadians weed...
Frankly speaking, I did not know who to vote for. As a black Canadian, it appears to me that the Black Canadian vote means nothing. Thus, any party I vote for will not be any different ...why? you may ask...because, throughout this whole campaign, I heard none of the candidates talk about a Black Canadian Agenda. Black Canadians are the invisible group, even though they have been in Canada since the early seventeenth century before Canada became Canada. Blacks have contributed significantly to the building of Canada, yet no party had a black agenda or at least addressing issues that disproportionately affect Black Canadians. Thus, I beg to differ with my people and others who are not aware, that anti-black racism is alive and well and living in Canada.
Racism against Black people has been a significant issue in Canada for decades. While Canada is often praised for its multiculturalism and diversity, the reality is that Black people have faced systemic discrimination, exclusion, and marginalization in the country.
Historically, Black Canadians have faced many challenges. From the transatlantic slave trade to the Underground Railroad, Black Canadians have had to fight for their rights and freedoms. Even after the abolition of slavery, Black people faced discrimination, segregation, and violence. For example, the city of Halifax in Nova Scotia was the site of the Africville community, which was a predominantly Black community that was forcibly relocated and demolished in the 1960s as part of an urban renewal project.
Today, Black Canadians continue to face discrimination and exclusion in many areas of life. For instance, Black Canadians are over-represented in the criminal justice system. They are more likely to be arrested, charged, and incarcerated than their white counterparts. This over-representation is linked to racial profiling and bias in policing, as well as systemic inequalities that affect access to education, employment, and housing.
Black Canadians also face discrimination in the workplace. They may be denied job opportunities or promotions due to their race, and they are often paid less than their white counterparts, even when they have similar qualifications and experience. In addition, Black Canadians face housing discrimination and are more likely to live in low-income neighbourhoods with poor living conditions. Landlords and real estate agents may discriminate against Black Canadians based on their race, making it challenging for them to find suitable and affordable housing.
Health disparities are also a significant issue for Black Canadians. They experience higher rates of chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension and poorer health outcomes. These disparities are linked to socioeconomic factors, as well as systemic racism in healthcare. Black Canadians may face discrimination in accessing healthcare, including not receiving appropriate treatment or being dismissed by healthcare providers.
Black students also face discrimination and bias in education. They may experience lower academic achievement, higher rates of suspension and expulsion, and lower graduation rates than their white counterparts. These inequalities are linked to systemic inequalities in education, including unequal access to resources, funding, and quality teachers.
Addressing racism against Black people in Canada requires a comprehensive and intersectional approach. This includes acknowledging and addressing systemic racism in all areas of life, including education, employment, healthcare, housing, and the criminal justice system. It also requires listening to and valuing the experiences and perspectives of Black Canadians and working to create policies and initiatives that prioritize their needs and address their concerns.
