Unity of BIPOC Community
Although the term BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Colour) has received criticism within the different groups for reducing complex interactions and histories into one group, we believe that these arguments only serve to maintain existing systems of discrimination and promotes tokenism at best.
Our coalition welcomes White allyship, collaboration, and solidarity, while remaining committed to fostering a united approach among the BIPOC community to move beyond old promises of inclusion that have yet to be met in higher education. Whether conscious or not, a “divide and conquer” approach is still utilized in academia, centring Whiteness as the focal point for all anti-racism expertise and discussions, while diminishing or dismissing inter-BIPOC dialogue that promotes unity to disrupt White dominated hierarchies.
The BIPOC Academic Coalition’s (BIPOCAC) primary goal is to reveal systemic racism through research and education and, most importantly, defend those that are affected. We define systemic racism as a form of racial discrimination in universities that occur through the guise of democratic processes and the hyper vigilance of policies and procedures, or, conversely, the abandonment of policies and procedures for new, ad hoc, modes of governance, investigation, evaluation or discipline that achieve the ends of maintaining White dominance through the façade of fairness and objectivity.
The BIPOCAC is committed to the principle that we are only going to be able to better defend ourselves and each other against systemic racism through dialogue within, and a responsive and resolute supportive coalition. We also recognize the importance of allies in this work and welcome White academics and community members who are committed to standing in solidarity with BIPOC communities and contributing to efforts toward racial equity in higher education.
If you are a member of the academic BIPOC community and are interested in joining our efforts, please click the “Join” button below and help us shape a future of racial equity in higher education. If you are a White ally interested in supporting this work, we invite you to join us in solidarity and contribute to the Coalition’s efforts.