Anti-Racism Resources | Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-racism

This page is designed to be a non-exhaustive list of resources intended to help students, faculty, and staff at the University of Waterloo in developing a deeper understanding of racism toward racialized folks, and more specfically anti-Black racism and racism toward Indigenous folks; as well as provide tools for campus community members to engage in anti-racism work across campus.

Quick Links to Resources:

Racism, and Anti-Black Racism in Canada
Racism, and Anti-Black Racism in Education
General Resources on Racism, and Anti-Black Racism
Resources specifically for Black, Indigenous and Racialized Community Members
Resources for White Allies
Resources to Work Toward Anti-Racism
General Resources to Support and Amplify the Work of Black Authors, Documentarians and Artists
General Resources for Families with Children & Young Adults
Supporting Anti-Racism and Black, Indigenous & Racialized folks in Waterloo Region

Anti-Black racism, colonization and all other forms of racism, are ongoing, oppressive and violent; and impact people on our campus directly. We hope that racialized campus members find helpful resources and supports on this page, and through our Office more broadly. These resources are a compliment to the anti-racist work our Office is undertaking, and hope you will find them useful.

For allies reviewing these resources, please think about how they speak to your role on campus, and consider ways in which they can inform your active commitment to embedding anti-racism into your department, team, classroom, and other spaces you occupy on campus. Reviewing resources, and attending trainings are a great first step in working toward anti-racism and equity, but they should be the tools you use to inform your commitments, not the end goals themselves.

We acknowledge that there are many resources listed below, and many not captured here. If after reviewing these resources you notice gaps, please see the end of this webpage for more information about how you can contribute suggestions. We will continue to update these resources in the coming weeks and months.

Racism, and Anti-Black Racism in Canada

Resource	In Brief
Dominant Cultural Narratives, Racism, and Resistance in the Workplace: A Study of the Experiences of Young Black Canadians	Published by Community Psychology Article by Julian Hasford, focuses on experiences of young black Canadians in the workforce
Colour of Poverty: Fact Sheets Tools and Resources	Collection of fact sheets, tools and resources unpacking the intersections of poverty and race in Canada
Racism in Canada Is Ever-Present, But We Have A Long History Of Denial	Author: Maija Kappler Excerpt from online article: “Growing up, people always talked about racism like: ‘It’s over there. It’s in America,’” Black Toronto writer and educator Barbara Yebuga told me. ‘But that’s just not true. Don’t let a border fool you.’”
Interrupted childhoods: Over-representation of Indigenous and Black children in Ontario child welfare	Published by the Ontario Human Rights Commission
Book: The Skin We’re In: A Year of Black Resistance and Power, Desmond Cole	A book that addresses the “bubble of Candian smugness and naïve assumptions of a post-racial nation” and “chronicles just one year- 2017- in the struggle against racism in this country”
Canada Has a Black Incarceration Problem	Author: Catherine McIntyre Explores the annual report (2016) authored by then federal prison watchdog Howard Sapers, where he details the demographics and conditions within Canada’s federal prisons
Podcast: Colour Code	A Podcast about Race in Canada; produced by Globe and Mail Hosted by Denise Balkissoon and Hannah Sung
Podcast: The little-told history of Canadians as slave owners, not just slave rescuers	Canadians take pride in the story of the Underground Railroad, but McGill art history professor, Charmaine Nelson says Canada was not so innocent, and that we, too, were a slave-trading country.
Statement from Black Health Leaders on COVID-19’s impact on Black Communities in Ontario	Published by Alliance for Healthier Communities Argues that we will not “contain COVID-19 without bringing critical analysis and differential population health actions to our pandemic response.” Explores the ways the COVID-19 has amplified disparities that already existed in Canada
Five Charts that Show Systemic Racism in Canada	CTV published Statistics Canada data that underscores the systemic differences between white, people of colour, and Black communities.
Canada Asked For a Report on MMIWG. Now It’s Ignoring It	Article by Alicia Elliott, focusing on the Report on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls that was published June 3, 2019 – and the ways in which it has been ignored.
National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG)	National Inquiry on MMIWG: the final report, findings, supplementary reports and other resources.
On Anti-Black Racism Canada can do better, be better	A Toronto Star article written by Perry Bellegarde, Asif Khan, Shimon Koffler Fogel, Queenie Choo and Tejinder Singh Sidh on the state of anti-Black racism in Canada.

Racism, and Anti-Black Racism in Education

Resource	In Brief
The Diversity Gap in 2020: Leadership Pipelines at Five Canadian Universities	Research by Genevieve Fuji Johnson and Robert Howsam, Methodology by Malinda S. Smith and Genevieve Fuji Johnson Research that highlights the vast disparity between white and racialized members of senior management and leadership at Canadian Universities
The Equity Myth: Racialization and Indigeneity at Canadian Universities	Authors: Frances Henry, Enakshi Dua, Carl E. James, Audrey Kobayashi, Peter Li, Howard Ramos, and Malinda S. Smith
Can We Talk About Canada's Racism Problem at Universities?	Author: Victoria Rodney, AVP Equity, WUSA
The Indigenous Diversity Gap	Authors: Malinda S. Smith and Nancy Bray Gap of Indigenous people in Canadian Academic spaces
Addressing Anti-Black Racism in our Schools	Webinar from the Canadian Race Relations Foundation on examining anti-Black racism in our schools
Race, Structural Violence, and the Neoliberal University: The Challenges of Inhabitation	Article published by Critical Sociology, by Jennifer F. Hamer, and Clarence Lang About the relationship between race, racism, neoliberalism and post-secondary institutions
Racialized Poverty in Education & Learning	Published by: Colour of Poverty – Colour of Change Fact sheet discussing how racialized people are disadvantaged in education and learning
Don’t Say Nothing	A call for the response of teachers and educators
#BlackInTheIvory	An article by Francie Diep on the movement #BlackInTheIvory (founded by Joy Melody Woods and Shardé M. Davis), focused on the experiences, advocacy and activism of Black scholars and academics – specifically in relation to anti-racism and structural change in post-secondary institutions.

General Resources on Racism, and Anti-Black Racism

Resource	In Brief
Black Lives Matter: A Commentary on Racism and Public Health	Article by Jennifer Jee-Lyn García, PhD and Mienah Zulfacar Sharif, MPH Focusing on the intersections of racism and public health
Good Ancestor Podcast: Conversations With Change-Makers & Culture-Shapers	Host: Layla Saad, with special guests
Glossary for Understanding the Dismantling Structural Racism/Promoting Racial Equity Analysis	Published by Aspen Institute A glossary that defines and provide context for key words essential in understanding the dismantling structural racism/promoting racial equity analysis (example: structural racism; racial equity; systemic racism; white privilege; institutional racism…)
COVID-19 in Racial and Ethnic Minority Groups	Published by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Article explores disproportionate burden of illness and death among racial and ethnic minority groups.
Coronavirus is not the 'great equalizer' – race matters	Author: Roberta K. Timothy Excerpt from online article: “Based on my research, I believe that the actions and omissions of world leaders in charge of fighting the COVID-19 pandemic will reveal historical and current impacts of colonial violence and continued health inequities among African, Indigenous, racialized and marginalized folks.”
How Racism Makes Us Sick	Ted Talk by David R. Williams discussing the intersections of health and racism
The "Problem" Woman of Colour in the Workplace	A resource adapted by COCo (Centre for Community Organizations) in Quebec, that highlights the common patterns/cycle that women of colour experience when they join an institution/organization, especially one with predominantly white leadership.

Resources Specifically for Black, Indigenous and Racialized Community Members

Resource	In Brief
Self-Care Tips for Black People Who Are Struggling With This Very Painful Week	Author: Rachel Miller Excerpt from online article: “Amid all this suffering, it can be hard to believe Audre Lorde when she said that caring for yourself is a form of self-preservation and, thus, “an act of political warfare.” But it is, and it matters.”
BIPOC Wellness Practitioners Database For Kitchener-Waterloo	A database of wellness practitioners and fitness spaces founded by self-identified People of Colour.
5 Black Mental Health Resources to Fight the Harmful Effects of Racism	Recommendations of podcasts and other online resources for black folks impacted by racism
BLM Meditation to Help People Cope with the Tiring Cycle of	Article and link to BLM Resource
Self-Care DIY	Self Care Resource written by Kim Crosby, a black queer journalist on self-care
Coping With Race-Related Stress	Resource for students of colour and how to cope with race related stress
A Love Letter To My Black Community on Campus	Posted by Charisse Williams, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist, Assistant Director/Training Director, University of Washington Counselling Centre. An open letter to Black students on campus
Resources for BIPOC Students, University of Washington Counselling Centre	Resources for caring for mental health, specifically for BIPOC students who have been directly or vicariously impacted by racial trauma
Kind Minds Family Wellness	Kind Minds Family Wellness is an organization servicing and supporting Black community members in the Waterloo region in the following areas: culturally suitable counseling, education, research, advocacy on anti-Black racism and systemic oppression, support in navigating community services, and the delivery of culturally informed educational programs and groups for children, youth and adults.

Resources for White Allies

Resource	In Brief
Book: White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism Reading Group Guide Robin DiAngelo discusses 'White Fragility'	Author: Dr Robin DiAngelo; Foreword by: Michael Eric Dyson
Book: Me and White Supremacy	Author: Layla Saad Publisher notes: A 28-Day Challenge to Combat Racism, Change the World, and Become a Good Ancestor leads readers through a journey of understanding their white privilege and participation in white supremacy, so that they can stop (often unconsciously) inflicting damage on black, indigenous and people of color, and in turn, help other white people do better, too.
For Our White Friends Desiring to Be Allies	Author: Courtney Ariel Six things allies can do to be stronger in their work
‘Scaffolding Anti-Racism’	A google document created by Anna Stamborski, Nikki Zimmermann, and Bailie Gregory, for white allies with staged resources and suggestions depending on your stage of development
Deconstructing White Privilege	Video Presenter: Dr Robin D’Angelo
What White Colleagues Need to Understand	Article by Clarice Brazas and Charlie Mcgeehan, that speaks to the experiences of educators of colour
75 Things White People Can Do for Racial Justice	Article by Corinne Shutack with some suggestions around engaging with anti-racism for white people.
Confronting racism is not about the needs and feelings of white people	Article by Ijeoma Oluo about the ways that white people take up space in discussions on race, and the impacts of that on educators of colour.
White People: This is How to Check Your Privilege When Asking People of Colour for Their Labour	Article by Sophia Stephens focused on how and when to ask BIPOC folks for their labour, and how not to.
Teaching While White, White People Leading DEI Work	Article by Ryan Williams-Virden on the role that white people have in anti-racism and equity.
When Feminism is White Supremacy in Heels	Rachel Cargle unpacks the ways in which “from tone policing to whitesplaining, the liberal white women’s feminism is more toxic than they realize”

Resources to work toward Anti-Racism

Resource	In Brief
Black Lives Matter – Various Resources	Include mental health resources, BIPOC resources, etc.
Talking About Race from National Museum of African American History & Culture	Collection of resources, tools and guidance on talking about race and racism
So You Want to Talk About Race	Author: Ijeoma Oluo Publisher notes: Ijeoma Oluo guides readers of all races through subjects ranging from intersectionality and affirmative action to “model minorities” in an attempt to make the seemingly impossible possible: honest conversations about race and racism, and how they infect almost every aspect of American life.
Building the anti-racist university: next steps	Article discussing anti-racist higher education institutions and how to address institutional racism
Anti-Racism Guide from Western Carolina University	Definitions of racism, anti-racism, white supremacy, a collection of resources for anti-racist allies and people of colour
Navigating race in Canadian workplaces: A toolkit for diversity and inclusion practitioners	Published by Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion
How to Deconstruct Racism, One Headline at a Time	Ted Talk Video Presenter: Baratunde Thurston Baratunde Thurston explores the phenomenon of white Americans calling the police on black Americans who have committed the crimes of ... eating, walking or generally "living while black." In this profound, thought-provoking and often hilarious talk, he reveals the power of language to change stories of trauma into stories of healing -- while challenging us all to level up.
We Must Step up for Black People Right Now	Author: Sheree Atcheson, Forbes Magazine Ways to show up for Black folks right now
The Anti-Racist Reading List	List curated by Ibram X. Kendi, Director of the Antiracist Research and Policy Center at American University, author of How to Be an Anti-Racist
How To Be An Anti-Racist	Book by Ibram X. Kendi. From the description: “Instead of working with the policies and system we have in place, Kendi asks us to think about what an antiracist society might look like, and how we can play an active role in building it.”

General Resources to Support and Amplify the Work of Black Authors, Documentarians and Artists

Resource	In Brief
As Long as We Have Breath in Our Bodies - Essay - Book	Author: Imani Perry (Twitter: @imaniperry) Publisher’s comments (for book): Explores the terror, grace, and beauty of coming of age as a Black person in contemporary America and what it means to parent our children in a persistently unjust world.
31 Black Canadian Female Playwrights You Need to Know	Curated by Amanda Parris
Here We Are Here: Black Canadian Contemporary Art	This exhibition at the Royal Ontario Museum is now closed, but the artists are still featured. Explore and support their works independently.
Black Visual Artists in Canada	Published by Black in Canada
13th Trailer Full Documentary	A documentary by filmmaker Ava DuVernay, that explores the racist history and causes of disproportionate incarceration rates for Black Americans
Cineplex 45 Movies by Black Creators Free to Stream in Canada	For a limited time Cineplex is offering free download of these films, and paying the royalty fees. From the Cineplex website: “This collection of important films was curated to elevate Black stories, artists and filmmakers and spark discussion. These films are available to view at no cost.”
Nîpawistamâsowin: We Will Stand Up	Canadian documentary directed by Tasha Hubbard. From the description: “the film centers on the 2016 death of Colten Boushie, and depicts his family’s struggle to attain justice after the controversial acquittal of Boushie’s killer”

General Resources for Families with Children & Young Adults

Resource	In Brief
Your Kids Aren’t Too Young to Talk About Race	Collection of resources, curated by Katrina Michie, with guidance on talking to children about racism
5 Black Children’s Authors and Illustrators You Should Know	Collection curated by Licia Bobesha
GrassROOTS Community Foundation: 1000 Black Girl Books Resource Guide	This resource guide was created in direct response to the multiple requests made by educators, parents and students, and features Black girls as the main characters.
NPR K-12 Reading List	Notes from the curator: These books tackle themes like international adoption, biracial families and cultural history, to name a few. Not all of the authors are minorities, but every book features a protagonist of colour that children can point to and say, "That's me!"
Black Lives Matter at School	Aimed at educators, but provides lesson plans and suggestions for kids K-12

Supporting Anti-Racism and Black, Indigenous & Racialized folks in Waterloo Region

Thank you for taking the time to review these resources. We will continue to update and edit in the coming days, weeks, and months. If you think something is missing that should be posted here, notice any broken links or have other feedback about this list of resources, please email: equity@uwaterloo.ca.

If you have resources that you would like to suggest, please know that we are looking for resources that are not behind a paywall wherever possible, and are specifically seeking to highlight:

Resources that are by BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Colour) folks doing anti-racist work
Resources that are designed to offer support to BIPOC folks/our BIPOC students, faculty and staff
University/post secondary specific resources around anti-Black racism, racial disparities, anti-racism work etc.
Guides and resources on practical strategies to be anti-racist in the workplace, and in the classroom
Resources that fill a gap in the materials/sources we have listed

Disclaimer: We recognize that these resources are not perfect and that some of the views, information or opinions do not necessarily reflect those of the University of Waterloo; but we have selected them because we think that they may be valuable in your engagement with this topic and movement.