One story can't end racism in Canada — but 'The Skin We're In' will fuel the fight

During Black History Month, I started to make my way through Desmond Cole’s The Skin We’re In.

Canada’s national narrative, in contrast to that of our American neighbours, tells a story of global peacekeepers, apologetic citizens, and liberal multiculturalism. Nowhere is our purported difference to the U.S. witnessed more than in conversations about race and racism. The often unquestioned belief in Canada’s multicultural values and historical innocence is often used to dismiss the experiences of racialized Canadians and camouflage the white supremacy inherent in Canada’s systems and institutions.

If you haven’t read it, The Skin We’re In actively contests Canada’s national narrative by following a year in Black encounters with and resistance to white supremacy.

This lead me to the CBC documentary of the same name, a telling perspective of Black life in Canada. You can check it out at https://gem.cbc.ca/firsthand/s02e14

Well worth a viewing.