Anti-Racist Pedagogy
Aisha Wilks and E. Scherzinger
DID YOU KNOW that Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC) students might navigate the University differently than their white peers due to experiences with race, racialization, and racism?
Not every class will address race in the course material, but with an increasingly diverse student body, it’s important for instructors to consider their language, subject matter, and delivery with care. By taking a proactive approach to anti-racism, instructors can create a more inclusive environment for BIPOC students.
- Identify appropriate terminology explicitly, e.g., “people of colour” rather than “coloured people”
- Don’t assume students’ immigration history, class status, or knowledge based on their race
- Address offensive comments during class discussion, even if they don’t seem malicious
- Include (racially) diverse voices in the syllabus and in course content (e.g., images)
- Create opportunities for students to provide feedback during the course–be prepared for anything from resistance to constructive criticism!
If the course is likely to discuss the experience of racialized people, it’s important not only to provide relevant context and support, but to prepare for the possibility of conflict in the face of challenging material.
Strategies
These strategies can help to create a more inclusive classroom environment for BIPOC students:
- Welcome diverse frames of reference, perspectives, etc. as racialized and/or immigrant students do not necessarily share the same cultural context as their white and/or Canadian-born peers
- Set explicit guidelines to avoid the use of racist slurs in class discussion and to address their use in writing
- Don’t hesitate to acknowledge and apologize for mistakes if/when students raise valid concerns
- Inform (first-year) students of equity, diversity, and inclusion initiatives on campus (e.g., Let’s Talk About Race)
Resources
For more information on race relations in Canada and anti-racist pedagogy, please see:
- Canadian Race Relations Foundation’s Research Projects, including 2019 Race Relations Survey
- Ijoema Oluo, So You Want to Talk About Race?
- Robin DiAngelo, “White Fragility”
- Hamilton Anti-Racism Resource Centre