Racial Discrimination has been described as any distinction, conduct or action, whether intentional or not, but based on a person’s race, which has the effect of imposing burdens on an individual or group, not imposed upon others or which withholds or limits access to benefits available to other members of society (OHRC). It includes unjust or prejudicial systems, policies, behaviours and attitudes designed to marginalize Black, Indigenous and people of colour. The manifestation and impact of racial discrimination within social, cultural, economic and political contexts is also influenced by intersecting identities and may be unique to each environment. For example, Apartheid in South Africa and racial discrimination in Brazil may share some common elements, but their impact differs due to geographic, political, historical and systemic factors.
Discrimination based on skin tone is referred to as colourism and is a form of prejudice and exclusion in which people from certain ethnic or racial groups are treated differently based on the lightness or darkness of their skin. Colourism focuses on how racism is expressed in the psychology of a people. A key difference between racism and colourism is that racism deals with the subjugation of one group who believe they have racial superiority and colourism deals with prejudices around skin tone from within the group itself.
While Canada does not officially recognize a racialized hierarchy, our country’s history is mired with examples of such racist injustice. Indigenous, Black, Asian and South Asian people, to name a few, have all been subject to state-sanctioned and state-supported racism through policies such as The Indian Act, the Transatlantic Slave Trade, Chinese head tax and the Internment of Japanese Canadians.
The concept of racial hierarchy refers to a societal structure where certain racial groups are positioned as superior while others face systemic disadvantages. This phenomenon happens worldwide, but in North America, it refers to the belief that the dominant group has the most privilege and power due to skin colour and the least privileged and powerful groups, often of darkest complexion, are Indigenous, Black or people of colour.
The United Nations emphasizes the importance of dismantling racial discrimination and promoting equality for all. In its statement on IDERD, the UN General Assembly affirms:
“All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights and have the potential to contribute constructively to the development and well-being of their societies. […] Any doctrine of racial superiority is scientifically false, morally condemnable, socially unjust and dangerous and must be rejected, together with theories that attempt to determine the existence of separate human races.”
Racial discrimination affects individuals, communities and society in profound ways. It can take subtle forms, such as microaggressions and biased policies, or manifest overtly through racial slurs, blatant exclusion and over policing as well as disproportionate representation of Indigenous, Black and people of colour within justice and welfare systems. It also includes Islamophobia and Antisemitism, which contribute to the marginalization of Jewish and Muslim communities through harmful stereotypes, hate crimes and systemic barriers. Racial discrimination affects everyone, eroding respect, physical and psychological safety and social cohesion. Recognizing racial discrimination is crucial to effectively addressing and preventing it. Creating safer and inclusive communities is possible when the community is aware of its presence and consequences and actively works to address and dismantle it.
Furthermore, racism deeply affects communities by limiting opportunities, fostering social divisions, and creating long-term inequalities. On a macro level, it can impact access to education, employment, healthcare, and housing, leading to disparities that persist across generations. Racial discrimination also contributes to mental and physical health challenges, in the form of race-based and generational trauma. By addressing racism and racial discrimination, communities can build more inclusive, equitable, and thriving environments for everyone.
Recognizing and addressing racial discrimination is a collective responsibility. By raising awareness, challenging bias, and advocating for equitable policies, communities can foster environments where everyone feels valued and empowered. Eliminating racial discrimination isn’t just about justice – it’s about building a more inclusive, thriving society for all.
How can I engage and educate myself?
- Commit to self-education, unlearn binary bias, racial bias and colourism and how to intervene when you witness racial discrimination: What does this look like?
- Start your anti-racism journey by registering for the EDIA fundamentals module to engage in self-paced learning about principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. Additional topics include the foundational knowledge of Islamophobia and Antisemitism, click the link to register: (Register here)
- Book a workshop with the Equity and Inclusion office to learn about different types of racial discrimination such as microaggressions and anti-Black racism. (Book here)
- Check out the MacPherson Institute on anti-racist pedagogy and how to incorporate anti-racism in the classroom (Resources here)
- Connect with your Faculty and Departmental EDI Leads to receive tailored learning on anti-racism applicable to your area of knowledge.
- Visit your McMaster University Libraries for our ongoing displays that highlight racial and ethnic diversity. This year, the McMaster University Libraries have featured International Women’s Day, Irish Voices, Black History Month, Black Health, Autism Awareness, Asian Lunar New Year, Holocaust Remembrance, Diwali and Hindu Heritage, Indigenous History, Indigenous Health and Sikh Heritage to name a few.
- Explore our McMaster Universities Libraries Featured Collections (Click here)
- Take a look at our International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination Reading List (Library Guide) (Click here)
- Celebrate people from all walks of life and their belief systems, not simply ‘tolerating’ them: What does this look like?
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- Attend events that celebrate racial diversity. Events include panels, lectures, lunch and learns, festivals planned by fellow colleagues.
- Checking out book displays in the library that feature diverse stories about people from all walks of life
- Read about some of the exciting work the Libraries is doing for racial equity here and here.
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- Be aware of on-campus intake offices where you can report and/or disclose instances of racial discrimination:
- Human Rights & Dispute Resolution (HRDR) Program – Equity & Inclusion Office Available to all members of the University community, the HRDR team can support employees in exploring resolution options that best suit their needs. This service is available to all students, staff and faculty at McMaster.
- Employee/Labour Relations- Human Resource Services This office is available to and only services employees. Those accessing this service can expect to have their resolution options explored as well.
- Office of Respectful Conduct in Clinical and Academic Environments (ORCCA) This service functions as a community resource for all Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) members to educate, promote, support and address respectful conduct and behaviour across academic and clinical environments.
Statement co-authored by,
Eve Nyambiya, Anti-Black Racism Initiatives Coordinator, Equity and Inclusion Office
Crystal Aisha Kerr, DEIA Strategist – Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility, Office of the University Librarian
McMaster University
Events in the Community:
Hamilton Antiracist Resource Centre (HAARC) is hosting the following event to acknowledge International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination! Join the Hamilton community at the David Braley Health Sciences Centre, 100 Main St. West, for a day filled with anti-racism discussions, guest speakers, and workshops aimed at confronting racism and discrimination. Let’s come together to work towards building a more inclusive Hamilton. Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of this anti-racist learning opportunity.
Please register here: