Understanding Canada’s history of racism is key to a just and equitable multicultural society, an anti-racism symposium at Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) heard Tuesday.
Speaking at the inaugural event of KPU’s newly-established Office of Anti-Racism, Dr. Chandrima Chakraborty says the long history of discriminatory policies that set the conditions for anti-Asian violence during the COVID-19 pandemic remain unacknowledged.
“Learning about the historical legacies of contemporary racisms is necessary if we are to intervene and challenge structural racisms that have resurged against Chinese and, more generally, Asian Canadians,” says Chakraborty, director of the Centre for Peace Studies at McMaster University. “We must critically take up difficult histories to move to a more racially just Canada now and into the future.”
The first-ever event organized by KPU’s Office of Anti-Racism drew a capacity crowd to KPU Surrey’s conference centre on March 21. Guests included students, employees, administrators and local politicians. Talks given by KPU students and employees were in addition to Chakraborty’s keynote presentation.
Chakraborty is researching the relationship between race, racism and the global pandemic, focusing on South Asian and East Asian Canadians.
“It is not surprising the COVID-19 pandemic quickly activated elements of historical or latent stereotypes about Asian Canadians or Chinese Canadians that are stored in the nation’s long-term memory,” she says.
Chakraborty notes KPU can play a significant role in making systems and structures more inclusive and responsive to the needs and experiences of racialized groups.
“Informed by the lived experiences of affected communities, research collaboration across multiple disciplines, and robust partnership with community organizations will allow institutions of higher education such as KPU to offer a holistic response to a host of societal problems. Symposiums such as these are an excellent first step that can enhance cross-cultural, cross-racial learning by prompting difficult, but necessary conversations.”
Last fall Dr. Alan Davis, KPU president and vice chancellor, promised to establish an Office of Anti-Racism and implement a host of other recommendations of the university’s Task Force on Anti-Racism. One recommendation calls for an annual symposium to discuss and encourage confronting racism, and to share research and scholarship.
Dr. Asma Sayed, KPU’s Canada Research Chair in South Asian Literary and Cultural Studies, is leading the Office of Anti-Racism on an interim basis, and says the symposium coincides with the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
“We are excited that we are able to provide this opportunity for learning, discussions, and dialogue. As an institution, KPU is prioritizing focusing on social justice. It is imperative for us to continue to learn and engage with issues that are important for building equitable and inclusive institutions and societies. Unfortunately, racism is embedded in our social and institutional structures and systems, and we must work to dismantle colonial structures and foster anti-racism,” says Sayed.
The Office of Anti-Racism continues to work on implementing the 64 recommendations delivered by the Task Force on Anti-Racism in October 2022.
“We are looking forward to building new programs, policies and procedures which will allow us to move closer to building an anti-racist institution,” says Sayed.
