Volume 3 | Feburary 2023

Welcome to the Snapshot! A curation of quick reads that provide you with the latest information on social issues to help you promote awareness, advocacy and action. From our resources team to you, the snapshot will empower you with the resources you need to be an informed advocate in this digital age.

The topic of this month’s newsletter is Black History Month in Canada.

Become acquainted with important historical events and people.
Learn about the inequities Black people still face today.
Discover how to make meaningful change and support the Black community.

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February is Black History Month and an important time to reflect on the Black experience in Canada. While this is good starting point, continue to be an ally by spreading awareness, taking action, and working to dismantle systemic racism all year round.

Black History is Canadian History

Black history is Canadian history and needs to be implemented in our systems. Often excluded from mainstream knowledge and educational curriculum in Canadian schools, much of Black history is not well known among the general population. Canada Confesses has put together this brief timeline with some significant events that contributed to our history and every Canadian should be aware of.

(Historica Canada, 2010), (The Canadian Encyclopedia, 2016), (The Canadian Encyclopedia, 2020)

Inequities Black People Experience in Canada

Due to the constitutional legacy of slavery, colonialism, and other oppressive systemic structures, systemic racism is still very prevalent for many communities in Canada (78% of the Black population believe that racism is a severe issue in Canada). As a result, Black Canadians face many inequities today, some of which are highlighted below.

Healthcare Inequities

91% of Black Canadians feel racism is a problem in the healthcare system. (CCRF, 2021)
In 2020, Black men and women had the highest COVID-19 mortality rate among the male and female population in Canada. (StatCan, 2022)
- Further, the mortality rates for Black people living in low income was 3.5X higher to the non-racialized population not living in low income. (StatCan, 2022)

Police Violence and Incarceration

Despite only making up 4% of the adult population, Black Canadians represent 9% of those incarcerated. (Gov. Canada, 2022)
Black people are more likely to be receipts of police force, and are also subject to greater force than white people. (House of Commons, 2021)
- In Toronto, Black people are 20X more likely to be shot and killed by the police. (OHRC, 2020)

Education, Employment, and Income

Black youth are less likely than all other Canadian youth groups to complete a postsecondary education.
Black Canadians are 2X more likely to face discrimination in the hiring process and 2X more likely to experience discrimination in the workplace.
The Black population in Canada is 1.7X more likely to live in a low-income situation compared to the rest of the population.
(PHAC, 2020)

Resources for the Black Community

Family, Community, Self-Care Tool Kit: Written by the Association of Black Psychologists and Community Healing Network, this toolkit provides information about how stress and trauma affect the body and mind, and offers self-care strategies for dealing with the effects of racism.

Black Youth Helpline: Black Youth Helpline serves all youth and responds to the need for a Black youth specific service, positioned and resourced to promote access to professional, culturally appropriate support for youth, families and schools. Click here to volunteer.

Black Women in Action: BCW in Action works to empower Black Canadian women and girls by building self-esteem, leadership, and confidence through conferences, workshops, and programs. They also conduct research, promoting cultural understanding and activities. Click here to volunteer.

More Resources

Head to the Canada Confesses resource page to find support here.
Submit an anonymous confession or contact us directly to get more support suited to your needs.
Check out the resources listed below for more support. ⬇️

GET INVOLVED | MAKE A CHANGE

ORGANIZATIONS DOING THE WORK

Black Health Alliance: Black Health Alliance aims to improve the health and well-being of Black Canadians through health promotion, research, public policy, fundraising, and more. They also provide resources through knowledge (reports and research findings), and community services (health and safety).

Foundation for Black Communities: FFBC promotes change by working with Canadian communities, political groups, and businesses to support Black organizations and people with needed resources to become self-sufficient. They also work to advance equity and justice by addressing systemic anti-Black racism. Click here to support FFBC’s proposal for funding.

LEARN MORE & EDUCATE

Black Canadian Calendar: Use this calendar to learn about more important Black figures and their contributions to Canadian culture and society every day of the year.

28 Moments of Canadian Black History: A playlist put together by Anne Moreau, this YouTube series highlights important Black history in Canada that has been left out of teachings in Canadian schools.

Black Talk Podcast: Black Talk is a podcast about the personal experiences of global Black experts and Black Canadians contextualized within the historical experience of being Black. It provides an eye-opening perspective for all on the Black experience, anti-Black racism, and achievements of the Black community.

Resources on how to talk to your family and friends about race and racism: As an ally to the Black community, it is imperative to talk and educate those around us about the effects and complexity of racism in our systems. Use the following guides to support you through these conversations. Be sure to do your own research and call out any misinformation!

MORE THAN PERFORMATIVE ACTION

Support, volunteer with, and follow Black organizations, creators, and businesses.

Support Black History Month every February and work to dismantle systemic racism 365 days of the year.
Call out racism, and speak out in support of Black communities and anti-racist practices.
Vote for officials who work towards equality and speak out against systemic racism. Register to vote here.
Follow Canada Confesses on social media to stay informed and support a movement of change.

Spotlight 🔍

Creators, posts, and organizations that deserve your attention.

Got Feedback?

Canada Confesses values the input from our project participants (YOU!) and affiliates/partners so we can continually improve our project, ensure we're not doing harm to any communities, and create initiatives that better serve you. Submit feedback here.

If you know of any resources related to Black injustices or any social justice issue, please submit here.