Racial Equity in Higher Education through BIPOC Unity
Supporting BIPOC Academics through Unity
Although Higher Education in Canada and the Global North freely acknowledge the existence of Systemic Racism in universities, little has been done to change the inequity beyond “diversity window dressing”.
Through a unified effort, the Black, Indigenous and People of Colour Academic Coalition (BIPOCAC) aims to break the cycle of racial inequity through Unity, Research, Education and Advocacy.
Unity of BIPOC Community
Equity to the BIPOC community as a whole will not come through division, rather we believe it will be achieved via inter-BIPOC dialogue and committed unity. The challenge is for members within the BIPOC community to understand the experiences and realities of other groups to advocate for each other in the face of systemic racism in academia. We invite members of the BIPOC academic community to join our organization and stand united against discrimination.
Advocacy for BIPOC Academics
We understand that the professional life of BIPOC academics is filled with both micro and macro aggressions, all typically carried out through the democratic institutional norms of higher education. Whether it is the hopeful graduate student, part-time lecturer, tenure track or tenured professor, BIPOC academics will undoubtedly face discrimination that leads to very real feelings of isolation, censorship, self doubt and helplessness. We aim to be a united voice to speak directly to the status quo of higher education and demand dignity, honour, safety and justice for our BIPOC community.
Research for Action towards Equity
The vast majority of Canadian and Global North Universities acknowledge and teach that BIPOC academics have historically and presently face discrimination throughout their careers. There already exists of dearth of research on this fact, including the Canadian University Association of Teachers’ 2018 “Equity Report”, quantitatively stating that BIPOC representation in academia is disproportionally underrepresented. Our research aims to take action on an already well established problem. We firmly believe that universities should no longer be making a profit on BIPOC discrimination and must now face the realities they have perpetuated.
Education to Build Awareness
Our education efforts focus on building awareness in the general public, the news media and especially the future generation of both White and BIPOC academic hopefuls. Our aim is to educate Canadian society on the reality that their public universities need to go beyond mere equity, diversity, and inclusion policies, rather the public universities need to hire more BIPOC faculty and staff that ensures the best candidates are given fair hiring opportunities.. In connection with advocacy, we are also available to respond to the news media on how systemic racism functions in higher education. As educators, our experiences in universities give us great hope in today’s youth being much more open to the “difficult conversations” described by existing professors and administrators, and we are available to facilitate such dialogues that will “disrupt the system”.
“The Master's Tools Will Never Dismantle the Master's House”
— Audre Lorde
Join our Call to Action!
BIPOC academics need to be united to demand that Canadian universities seriously address systemic racism within the institution. White allyship is appreciated, but we cannot depend on the Status Quo to lead or produce the kinds of “disruption” they claim to be seeking. If you are a member of the BIPOC community and want to stand in solidarity with other BIPOC academics to advocate for change and defend those that are under attack, join us. This is a call to action! Join us, so that a new generation of BIPOC academics and students will experience true equity in Canada’s universities.
Contact
Feel free to contact us with any questions.
contact@bipocac.org