Frequently Asked Questions
Q: WHAT is the issue?
A. Although countering Systemic Racism has become part of Higher Education’s branding for attracting students, assuring research funding and comfort the general Canadian public, little change has occurred in universities. The phenomenon is present in employment, training, funding, and other areas of knowledge production in Canadian institutions of higher learning and research. The perpetual underrepresentation of racialized and Indigenous people in management and as faculty members, and teaching assistants in certain programs such as law, medicine, and social sciences, is one indication of systemic racism, even though many universities are subject to employment equity laws and programs.
Q: WHY have we created the BIPOCAC?
A. At most Canadian universities, there is a lack of tangible assistance for members of the BIPOC community when it comes to systemic racism. Systemic racism is widely known in academic literature to function in a manner that is unrestricted, rarely overt and usually occurs over an extended period of time. Existing policies, such as harassment policies, do not address the nuances of systemic racism. Equity Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) committees or taskforces in universities typically leave out administrators, faculty, staff, students and community members who have expertise and/or experience in anti-racism/discrimination leaving members to either discover, reinvent or ignore well-established research on anti-racism, thereby extending inequity. Most university EDI offices (mandated to advance equity, diversity and inclusivity policies) are under Human Resources/management, and highly unlikely to take risks in defending the BIPOC community at the potential of causing reputation damage to the institution (and themselves). Unions also have limitations, as systemic racism also occurs between union members. Due to these factors and the lack of tangible support and opportunities for members of the BIPOC community in teaching and management positions in universities, as well as systemic barriers to higher education and research funding, the BIPOCAC aims to fill this void.
Q: HOW do we aim to achieve your goals?
A. We aim to progressively end systemic racism through advocacy, research and education, through networking, coalition-building and capacity-building within the Canadian higher education system.
ADVOCACY: Mobilize the BIPOC academic community to act in solidarity to reveal systemic racism in higher education and to support victims.
RESEARCH: Carry out research of systemic racism in higher education and its impact on Canadian society and facilitate studies through our growing network.
EDUCATION: Knowledge mobilization with all higher education stakeholders about the research and literature regarding systemic racism, including working with allies inside and outside higher education institutions, especially faculty, staff, and student unions.
Q. WHO do we want to work with?
A. Primarily BIPOC members in higher education and key organizations that are stakeholders in Canadian institutions of higher learning and knowledge production, such as university faculty, staff, and student unions, as well as community partners.