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Terms: BIPOC, Black History in Canada
BIPOC
Phonetic Pronunciation: by-pock
Definition:
BIPOC is an abbreviation of "Black, Indigenous, (and) People of Colour."
History:
The term "BIPOC" first appeared on Twitter in 2013. Its usage spiked in 2020 as racial justice awareness increased in the United States, particularly following the Black Lives Matter movement, which arose in the wake of the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery (1).
Building on this, the BIPOC Project explains that the term is used to “highlight the unique relationship to whiteness that Indigenous and Black (African Americans) people have, which shapes the experiences of and relationship to white supremacy for all people of color within a U.S. context.” (2)
Current Usage:
BIPOC is primarily used by organizations and people in activist spaces to highlight the unique relationship Black and Indigenous communities have with racism and white supremacy. This term reflects the intersectionality that is inherent to racism, discrimination, and systemic oppression. Although Canada has a similar history concerning its Black and Indigenous communities, it is important to note that BIPOC is a US-centric term. Therefore, the term POC (People of Colours) may be more appropriate to use in locations where the Black and Indigenous experiences may not be as culturally relevant (3).
Examples:
A situational example is: To increase the recruitment of BIPOC employees, a company decides to implement anonymous hiring to combat unconscious bias and discrimination.
A sentence example is: "We should invite BIPOC speakers to present their experiences on systemic oppression to create an inclusive conference."
Perspective:
Some criticize that foregrounding the Black and Indigenous communities in name only is purely a symbolic gesture without making any meaningful change. This is because organizations may have used the term BIPOC even when these communities are not central to the conversation. The term BIPOC may assert that the harms of one group are more important than those of the others, thus engaging in “Oppression Olympics.” This can divide the communities of colour and dilute their collective power (4).
Another criticism of the term BIPOC is that it erases the significant differences among these communities by lumping them under one category. The term can sideline the specific realities of other racial groups, such as Latinx and Asian American, by grouping them together as “leftover” people of colour (5).
Did You Know?
While umbrella terms can be useful for addressing broad systemic issues, using specific language to identify communities within the broader BIPOC acronym is crucial for accuracy, respect, and effective communication.
Sources:
(1) BIPOC: What It Means & When To Use The Term (with Examples)
(3) Representation Matters: What BIPOC Means in the Language of Solidarity
(5) Why the term “BIPOC” is so complicated, explained by linguists
Resources:
Black Peoples, Indigenous Peoples, People(s) of Colour (BIPOC): Inclusive and antiracist writing
Canada Confesses Database: BIPOC Communities
Intersectional Indigenous Identities: Afro-Indigenous and Black Indigenous Peoples
Black History in Canada
Definition:
"Black History in Canada encompasses the study, recognition, and celebration of the history, experiences, achievements, and contributions of Black individuals and communities. It acknowledges the rich and diverse narratives of people of African descent and their significant impact on various aspects of society, culture, politics, science, arts, and more.
Within this historical context, it is important to address the existence of slavery in Canada. Slavery in Canada refers to the historical practice of owning and exploiting enslaved Africans and African-descended individuals within Canadian territories. It persisted during the colonial period and was gradually abolished between c. 1629 and 1834 through legislative measures.
After 1834, people of African descent were legally free, but they were not equal: they faced significant racial segregation, discrimination, prejudice, and inequality in Canadian society. The legacy of slavery in Canada has had profound social, economic, and cultural implications." Black History in Canada Education Guide
“The story of African-Canadians spans more than 400 years, and includes slavery, abolition, pioneering, urban growth, segregation, the civil rights movement and a long engagement in civic life.” Lawrence Hill
Sources:
Black History in Canada Education Guide
The Enslavement of African People in Canada (c. 1629–1834)