Alright, fam, let’s cut through the politeness and confront something serious: Canada's reputation as a diverse, welcoming haven is being challenged. Beneath the surface of our multicultural image, a disturbing rise in racism is making waves, impacting the lives of countless individuals and chipping away at the very fabric of our society. This isn't just about isolated incidents; it’s a systemic issue that's showing up in terrifying ways, and we need to talk about it.

So, buckle up. This isn't going to be easy, but it's essential.

📈 The Numbers Don't Lie: A Disturbing Trend

For years, Canada has prided itself on diversity, but recent data paints a stark picture. Statistics Canada reports a significant increase in police-reported hate crimes, with a particularly sharp rise during the pandemic. While some of this is due to better reporting, experts agree that it also reflects a genuine increase in racist acts. These aren't just statistics; they represent real people experiencing fear, discrimination, and violence.

From microaggressions in the workplace to overt acts of hate, racialized communities are feeling the shift. The online sphere has become a breeding ground for hate speech, often normalizing discriminatory views that then spill over into real-world interactions.

✊🏿 Anti-Black Racism: A Persistent Shadow

Despite efforts to acknowledge and address it, anti-Black racism remains deeply entrenched in Canadian society, manifesting in various forms:

• Systemic Bias in Institutions: The justice system is a prime example. Black individuals are disproportionately surveilled, arrested, and incarcerated compared to their white counterparts. A landmark report by the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) in 2020 on racial profiling by the Toronto Police Service found that Black people were significantly more likely to be stopped, searched, and face charges for low-level offenses. This isn't just about individual officers; it's about policies and practices that perpetuate bias.
• The Case of Dafonte Miller: In 2016, Dafonte Miller, a young Black man, was violently assaulted by an off-duty Toronto police officer, Michael Theriault, and his brother. Miller lost an eye in the attack. The case garnered national attention, highlighting issues of police accountability and systemic racism within the justice system. While Theriault was eventually convicted of assault, the initial handling of the case and the intense public pressure required to bring it to justice underscored the challenges faced by victims of anti-Black violence.
• Discrimination in Daily Life: Beyond the legal system, Black Canadians frequently report discrimination in housing, employment, and healthcare. From being denied rental applications to facing barriers in career advancement, these everyday experiences chip away at well-being and economic opportunity.

🌏 Anti-Asian Hate: Fueled by the Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic unleashed a horrific wave of anti-Asian racism across the globe, and Canada was no exception. Fueled by xenophobic rhetoric linking the virus to people of Asian descent, hate incidents soared.

• Verbal Assaults and Physical Attacks: Asian Canadians reported a dramatic increase in verbal harassment, racial slurs, and even physical assaults in public spaces. News reports and social media documented numerous instances of individuals being targeted simply because of their appearance. In Vancouver, police reported a staggering 717% increase in anti-Asian hate crimes in 2020 compared to the previous year.
• The Case of Vicha Ratanapakdee (US context, but reflects Canadian sentiment): While this specific case happened in the US, the brutal unprovoked attack on 84-year-old Thai man Vicha Ratanapakdee, who died from his injuries, sent shockwaves through the Asian diaspora globally, including Canada. It symbolized the extreme violence that anti-Asian hate could lead to, prompting solidarity movements and calls for protection within Canadian Asian communities who feared similar attacks.
• Economic Impact: Beyond the physical and emotional toll, many Asian-owned businesses faced boycotts or decreased patronage, adding economic hardship to an already stressful period.

☪️ Islamophobia: A Deadly Reality

Islamophobia is a pervasive issue, often fueled by media stereotypes and political rhetoric that paint Muslims as a monolithic threat. In Canada, this hate has turned deadly.

• The London Attack (2021): In June 2021, a devastating act of Islamophobia shook the nation when a truck intentionally plowed into the Afzaal family in London, Ontario, killing four members—a grandmother, father, mother, and their teenage daughter—and seriously injuring their nine-year-old son. This was a clear act of targeted terrorism, fueled by anti-Muslim hate. The tragedy ignited widespread outrage and forced Canada to confront the deadly consequences of Islamophobia head-on, leading to calls for national action against white supremacy and hate groups.
• Mosque Attacks: Prior to London, the Quebec City Mosque shooting in 2017 claimed the lives of six Muslim worshippers and injured 19 others. These attacks are grim reminders that Islamophobia is not just about words; it can lead to targeted violence.
• Everyday Discrimination: Muslim Canadians regularly face discrimination in employment, travel (e.g., "no-fly lists"), and public life, where their faith is often scrutinized or misunderstood.

Indigenous Peoples: A Legacy of Colonialism and Ongoing Racism

Racism against Indigenous peoples is deeply rooted in Canada's colonial history and continues to manifest in systemic ways, often leading to devastating outcomes.

• Residential School Legacy & Intergenerational Trauma: While the residential school system officially ended decades ago, its impact—intergenerational trauma, cultural loss, and systemic disadvantage—continues to fuel racism. The discovery of unmarked graves at former residential school sites across Canada has brought renewed attention to this horrific chapter and the ongoing pain it causes.
• Healthcare Disparities: Indigenous individuals often face explicit racism within the healthcare system. The case of Joyce Echaquan in 2020 highlighted this stark reality. A 37-year-old Atikamekw woman, Echaquan livestreamed herself from a Quebec hospital bed as nurses hurled racist insults at her just before she died. Her death brought national attention to the systemic racism Indigenous patients face, sparking outrage and calls for widespread reform.
• Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People (MMIWG2S): This ongoing crisis is a direct consequence of systemic racism, colonialism, and sexism. Indigenous women and girls are disproportionately victims of violence, and their cases are often not given the same attention or resources as those involving non-Indigenous people. The national inquiry's findings in 2019 labeled it a "genocide," a term that continues to provoke debate but underscores the severity of the crisis.
• Land Disputes and Resource Extraction: Indigenous communities often face racism and disrespect in their ongoing struggles to protect their traditional lands and assert their rights against resource development projects, highlighting continued disregard for their sovereignty and environmental stewardship.

🤷‍♀️ Why is This Happening Now?

Several factors are contributing to this unsettling trend:

• Online Echo Chambers: The internet, while connecting us, has also created echo chambers where hateful ideologies can fester, spread, and recruit without significant challenge.
• Polarized Politics: Increasingly polarized political landscapes can sometimes normalize rhetoric that demonizes certain groups, giving permission for hateful views to be expressed more openly.
• Economic Stress: During times of economic hardship (like the current affordability crisis), some individuals and groups unfortunately look for scapegoats, leading to increased targeting of racialized communities.
• Failure to Educate: A lack of comprehensive education about Canada's true history of colonialism, slavery, and systemic discrimination means many Canadians are unaware of the deep roots of racism in our society.

✊ What Can We Do?

It's easy to feel overwhelmed, but inaction is not an option. Here's how Gen Z can push back:

1. Educate Yourself: Learn about Indigenous history, the history of racialized communities in Canada, and the nuances of systemic racism. Follow racial justice advocates and organizations.
2. Speak Up: Challenge racist jokes, comments, or microaggressions when you encounter them, whether online or offline. Silence is complicity.
3. Support Racialized Communities: Amplify their voices, support their businesses, and donate to organizations fighting for racial justice.
4. Demand Accountability: Advocate for policy changes in institutions (police, healthcare, education) to dismantle systemic racism. Vote for leaders who prioritize equity and justice.
5. Be an Ally/Accomplice: If you are not racialized, understand your privilege and use it to stand with and uplift those who are targeted.

The Takeaway?

Canada's true strength lies in its diversity, but that strength is being tested. Ignoring the rising tide of racism won't make it disappear. As Gen Z, we have the power to challenge the status quo, demand justice, and build a truly equitable Canada for everyone. This isn't just about being "nice"; it's about being actively anti-racist. The conversation starts now.