Anti-Black racism

It is important to touch on anti-Black racism because “history requires us to recognize Black experiences with racism as uniquely different from other experiences with racism” (CAMH, 2021a, p.8).

Anti-Black racism is a systemic form of prejudice, discrimination or antagonism that intentionally or unintentionally harms people of African origin through systems and structures that exclude, silence, devalue and marginalize Black experiences. Anti-Black racism is rooted in the history and legacies of slavery and colonization. It continues to uphold narratives of white superiority and Black inferiority, thereby creating and reproducing prejudices, stereotypes and disadvantages for Black people (Black Health Alliance, n.d.).

Significant systemic racial disparities exist in a number of social determinants because of anti-Black racism and discrimination. These include income, education, social inclusion, employment and food security (CAMH, 2021a). Anti-Black racism also increases the risk of mental illness because Black populations are more likely to be exposed to negative social circumstances, which lead to stress (CAMH, 2021a)

People of African descent are not a homogenous group. There are differences in generation status, ethnic and cultural origins, immigration, geography, language, and more (CAMH, 2021b). These differences mean that one size does not fit all when delivering programs and services.

Featured resource

The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health and the Anti-Black Racism and Mental Health Advisory Committee created the “Dismantling Anti-Black Racism Strategy.” It identifies key priority areas at the organizational, staff and clinical level, and includes 22 actions that aim to decrease anti-Black racism at CAMH.

Read this strategy