Anti-racism resources

We've compiled this list of anti-racismresourcesto help direct our community to various supports on campus. Note that we do not endorse any specific treatments or products on this page. This list of resources is for information only.

We recognizethe ongoing need to createa campus environmentthat is respectful and focused on ensuring human rights and dignity for all. In the event that anyone is suffering discrimination or injustice, they may leverage the resources below. It is the diversity of our communityat the University of ݮƵ that strengthens our school and it is important that all feel supported, seen and heard.

Along with the anti-racism resources on campus and reading lists, we have included a downloadable calendar that focuses on annually observed days of the year focused on social justice and Anti-Racism.

Anti-racism resources

  • If you’re a student, faculty or staff member and you’ve experienced racism and need a space for support, understanding your resources, potential next steps and/or advocacy: connect with the Equity Office atequity@uwaterloo.ca.
  • If you’re a student, faculty or staff member and you’ve experienced discrimination or harassment on campus you canfile a report under Policy 33.
  • If you are experiencing distress, the Health and well-being team provides counselling services for individuals, as well as resoures for support.
  • is also availablein the ݮƵ Region, providing support to those in distress: phone1-844-437-3247.
  • ճHuman Rights, Equity and Inclusion Office (HREI)has a variety of resources available:
  • President's Anti-Racism Taskforce (PART) is a group dedicated to amplifying BIPOC voices and learning from their insight and experience. Their mission is to weave anti-racism into the fabric and culture of all campus operations, communities, pedagogy and lifestyle.
  • is a student-led ݮƵ Undergraduate Student Association (WUSA)serviceto address racism and xenophobia on the University of ݮƵ campus.
  • is aprogressive group of University of ݮƵ staff & students working together to use theirvoices and platforms to create change within the ݮƵ network. 

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Anti-racism reading lists

Part of combating racial injustice is taking the time to learn about where it stems from, and how it impacts oursociety.

These lists of resources and information are here to help students, faculty, and staff in our departmentdevelopa deeper understanding of issues of racism, anti-Black racism, anti-Indigenous racism and anti-Asian racism; as well as provide tools for campus community members to engage in anti-racism work across campus.

We will continue to update and editthese lists weekly. If you have any recommendations for additional resources, notice any broken links or have other feedback about these lists, please contact us using this feedback form.

Anti-Racism & Black Political Thought
Resource Description
The Skin We're In describes the struggle against racism in Canada during the year 2017, chronicling Cole's role as an anti-racist activist and the impact of systemic racism in Canadian society.
An analysis on the psychological violence, degradation and harm that Black youth face in Canadian Schools.
This book by Joseph Mensa covers 300 years of Black Canadian history, from the first migration of slaves, black loyalists, and Civil War refugees to the expansive movement brought about by the establishment of the point system in 1967. It also addresseshousing, the labor market, sports management, and race and ethnic relations.
Critical race theories reveal systemic racism in travel industry.
"Until We Are Freebusts myths of Canadian politeness and niceness, myths that prevent Canadians from properly fulfilling its dream of multiculturalism and from challenging systemic racism, including the everyday assaults on black and brown bodies.
In this book, Canada’s first Black professional hockey player discusses his experiencefacing racism ina predominantly white sport.
In How to Be anAntiracist, Kendi takes readers through a widening circle ofantiracistideas—from the most basic concepts to visionary possibilities—that will help readers see all forms of racism clearly, understand their poisonous consequences, and work to oppose them in our systems and in ourselves.
Code Switch by NPR is a podcast featuring fearless conversations about race, hosted by journalists of color. This podcast tackles the subject of race head-on, and explores how it impacts every part of society — from politics and pop culture to history, sports and everything in between.

Steven Bradbury and Jim Lusted’s book “Race, Ethnicity and Racism in Sports Coaching” focuses on the ways in which race, and ethnicity operate, and how they are experiences or addressed within the context of sports coaching.
This article examines the importance of understanding the hate towards black communities and how we can push towards an integrated community.

This TED talk by Megan Ming focuses on the underlying issues in our society and how we can stop racial injustice.

Indigenous Liberation in Canada
Resource Description
This timeline presents key events and developments in Indigenous history in what is now Canada, from Time Immemorial to present. While no timeline can be exhaustive in its coverage, it provides a broad chronological overview to support educators and students.
An Indigenous Ally toolkit created by the Montreal Urban Aboriginal Community Strategy Network.

An article by theThe National Collaborating Centre for Indigenous Health about Canada's history of racism against Indigenous peoples.
Since its creation in 1876, the Indian Act has shaped, controlled, and constrained the lives and opportunities of Indigenous Peoples, and is at the root of many enduring stereotypes. Bob Joseph's book comes at a key time in the reconciliation process, when awareness from both Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities is at a crescendo.
Aboriginal Peoples and Sport in Canadauses sport as a lens through which to examine issues such as individual and community health, gender and race relations, culture and colonialism, and self-determination and agency. In this groundbreaking volume, leading scholars offer a multidisciplinary perspective on how unequal power relations influence the ability of Aboriginal people in Canada to implement their own visions for sport.

This book is a highly recommended collection of Indigenous voices who speak to the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, and the essayists own work with anti-violence initiatives.

This graphic timeline is meant to act as a starting point for people to familiarize themselves with Canada's colonialist, white supremacist history and present, ongoing discrimination against Indigenous communities.
Article by the Canadian Encyclopedia about the enslavement of Indigenous Peoples in Canada.
A book on the true story of racism, indifference and the pursuit of justice for missing and murdered indigenous women and girls
Prof. Bryan Grimwood’s article highlights the erasure of Indigenous cultures by settler colonial power relations and illustrates that tourism is a social force through which settler stories are both perpetuated and resisted.
Separate Beds is the shocking story of Canada's system of segregated health care. Operated by the same bureaucracy that was expanding health care opportunities for most Canadians, the "Indian Hospitals" were underfunded, understaffed, overcrowded, and rife with coercion and medical experimentation.

In There's Something In The Water, by Ingrid R. G. Waldron examines the legacy of environmental racism and its health impacts in Indigenous and Black communities in Canada, using Nova Scotia as a case study, and the grassroots resistance activities by Indigenous and Black communities against the pollution and poisoning of their communities.
This book, the first comprehensive, data-based study of racialized and Indigenous faculty members’ experiences in Canadian universities, challenges the myth of equity in higher education.-

This resource page highlights Canadian owned businesses and resources that help people recognize individuals to ally ourselves with.

Asian Solidarities
Resource Description
University of ݮƵ student Christina Pham shares her own experience with racism and how she and her family are coping with recent events.
This article delves into the racial segregation Asian-Canadians face in many aspects of everyday life in Canada such as the work, leisure, housing & health care, politics and education sectors.

This article discusses the history and implementation of the head tax along with other racist immigration policies the Canadian Federal Government introduced to target Chinese people.

This article highlights Canada’s long history of anti-Asian racism which has been amplified amid COVID times.
) Addressing Anti-Asian Racism: A Resource for Educators provides a foundation for reflection, discussion and social justice action. It was created by a team of educators of Asian descent whose lived experiences, both personal and professional, knowledge and passion for social justice are reflected in its pages
A timeline of the history of South Asians in Canada from 1885-Present.

A Canadian organization formed through a coalition of Asian community groups concerned about anti-Asian hate crimes.

Pandemic Rapid-response Optimization To Enhance Community-Resilience and Health is a community-engaged action research project that aims to reduce the negative psychosocial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Chinese Canadians and other affected groups while promoting community resilience.

Resources for Allies

Resource

 Description
An article by Peggy Mcintosh, analyzing white privilege and its benefits in society.
A guide meant to get people up to speed on the anti-racist movement.
An article by Yawo Brown, speaking on the definition of "polite" white supremacy.
An article by Holiday Phillips, discussing the wave of performative allyship on social media

A book written by Paul Kivel, full of powerful strategies and practical tools for white people committed to racial justice.

Assessing the ways in which white privilege can alter the way of individuals and racism is important in our society and this article focuses on just that.

A white man’s reflection on how riding his bike has helped him to understand the concept of white privilege without feeling defensive.

Ibram Kendi speaks about his experience moving into a new state in America while describing what it means to be black and white in America.

Michael Harriot breaks down the ways we observe and measure white privilege in our communities.

This page discusses the importance of recognizing white privilege and includes a video helping the audience examine it from a visual point of view.

What does it mean when we talk about race? The Seattle Times examines the different ways race effects everyone.

2SLGBTQ+ Resources
Resource Description
RinaldoWalcotttakes a look atcategories of "queer and Black" and "Black queer" through the lens of multiculturalism and Canadian identity in. The essay collection reflects on how capitalism, colonialism and sexual identity intersect and shape culture, politics and Black expression.
This article written by David Thibodeau, talks about the barriers the LGBTQ+ community face in sport participation, and how we can make our teams and clubs more inclusive and welcoming.
Many elderly folks in the LGBT community face systemic discrimination in long term care, leading to a lack of trust in health care providers. The resources below feature practices to help make LTC homes an inclusive space.

In this collection of essays and interviews edited by activist-scholar Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor, founding members of the organization and contemporary activists reflect on the legacy of its contributions to Black feminism and its impact on today’s struggles.

The role of Black queer people in the Toronto protests and the Stonewall Riots are not at the forefront of the discussion when it comes to Toronto Pride today.”Olivia Bowden’sarticletalks about theroles Black queer people had in theorigins of Pride in Canada, and how Pride has historically excluded Black voices.

An article by the Canadian Encyclopedia about the history of

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights in Canada

BIPOC Mental Health Resources
Resource Description

A comprehensive guide of resources centering the voices of folx who identify as Black, Indigenous and/or a Person of Colour.

A directory of BIPOC therapists who are committed to supporting BIPOC in all our intersections.

Offers immediate mental health counselling and crisis intervention to all Indigenous peoples across Canada.

Indigenous women can get help, support, and resources seven days a week, 24 hours a day, with services in 14 languages.

Good2Talk is the post-secondary student helpline in Ontario. You can call and talk to a counsellor about anything.

Mental health and substance use support all across Canada.

Across boundaries provide equitable, holistic mental health and addiction services for racialized communities.

Educate and empower the community about healing practices and offering an array of call-to-action programs.
Addiction and mental health supports for BIPOC individuals through Defining Wellness Centers.

Anti-Racism/Mental Health Podcasts
Resource Description

Don’t Call Me Resilient is a podcast series featuring conversations surrounding race and racism and digs deep into the conversations through an anti-racist lens. Certain issues covered in podcast episodes involves pain of racism, inequity to our schools, and Indigenous land rights.

Inappropriate Questions is a podcast that unpacks the tricky questions people wonder and may be too personal for other people. This podcast is a great listen to understand different perspectives and understandings of certain questions you may even wonder.

The Positive Psychology podcast covers many different types of topics such as self-love, sex, narcissism and many more. This podcast focuses on looking at things through a positive perspective and focuses on helping people become happier without dwelling on negative aspects within their lives.

The Secret Life of Canada is a Canadian based podcast that focuses on Canadian anti-Black racism and the history of people of colour. Created by Leah-Simone Bowen, and Falen Johnson, this is a podcast that brings hidden histories to the surface.

The Colour Code podcast covers the topic many Canadians avoid, talking about race. This podcast digs deep into the different ways race can affect our everyday lives and certain examples from the past that influenced Canadian history.

Based in Toronto, Black Tea is a podcast series that talks about the diversity of Canada and raise awareness about the uncomfortable Black community conversations out in the open.

Seat at the Table is co-hosted by friends Martine St-Victor and Isabelle Racicot who have in-depth conversations surrounding race and racism. They capture personal stories about the power of the Black Lives Matter movement and how we can move forward.

Born and Raised talks about the loaded question for children of immigrants “Where are you really from?” With part reflection and part storytelling, Born and Raised digs into our experiences with our family and culture.

Speaking of Racism is a podcast dedicated to frank, honest, and respectful discussions about racism in North America. Celebrating everyday activities who are disrupting, deconstructing, and dismantling racism are all ideas shared in this podcast.

Attitudes cover LGBTQ+ and gender issues with deep conversations surrounding common complications in communities across our world. This show tackles big political and cultural issues facing women and marginalized communities.

The Happiness Lab raises awareness about the importance of remaining happy and how it may seem unattainable sometimes. Author Dr. Santos uses scientific research to showcase the link between human behaviour and emotions.

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