We all have a part to play when it comes to anti-racism.

Anti-racism is the deliberate act of opposing racism and promoting a society that is thoughtful, inclusive and just. This is the society British Columbia aspires to be. But our history is rooted in stories of exclusion and discrimination based on race — from residential schools to discriminatory policies against Asian and Black Canadians, to the experiences of Indigenous peoples accessing health care today.

Living in a society steeped in colonialism and systemic racism impacts all of us. We each carry prejudices. None of us are individually responsible for systemic racism, but we all have a part to play to confront it. To support you on your journey, we’ve developed a series of Anti-racism Reminders. We hope they help you to see things in a different light and spur conversations at home, at work and all the places needed to create a better and safer B.C.

ANTI-RACISM REMINDERS

Click the squares to flip them over, read the reminder and share on social media.

Reminder #1

If you’re unaware of privilege, you might be privileged.

From health care and education to employment and income, some people have more access than others. Understanding these disparities are real is the first step toward changing things.

Reminder #2

We can’t tackle racism if we can’t talk about it.

It’s hard to discuss racism. It’s awkward. It stirs up a lot of strong emotions. But it’s worth it, as we work toward a more equitable society.

Reminder #3

Speak up, it’s the right thing to do.

When friends, family or coworkers make an inappropriate comment, even in private, don’t let it slide. Listen. Probe. And let them know their words matter.

Reminder #4

Anti-racism opens doors without closing any.

Anti-racism doesn’t remove rights from anyone. It’s about giving everyone access to the same benefits in society and the same dreams of a fulfilling life.

Reminder #5

Anti-racism requires something from all of us.

It can be a lot of different things. But it can’t be nothing. Shop at stores owned by people of colour, hire with purpose, attend workshops and events focused on anti-racism and look for other ways to support racialized people.

Reminder #6

Racism can happen in everyday conversations.

Say you ask someone who looks different from you where they’re really from. Your intention might not be hateful. But the question is still racist. It says you see them as an outsider. Racism can be unintentional, which is why we all need to be intentional about being anti-racist.

Reminder #7

Don’t shut down when you mess up.

You’re going to make mistakes. But don’t let that stop you from continuing your journey. Anti-racism is hard work. It takes effort. But it’s worth it.

Reminder #8

You can be polite and racist at the same time.

Racism isn’t always overt. Canadians have a reputation for being polite — but racism can sometimes hide in politeness. Because the same personal prejudices and systemic racism we see in other countries exist here too.

Reminder #9

Open a book and your mind. It’s empowering.

There are a lot of great resources on the topic of anti-racism. Read a book. Watch a documentary. Listen to a podcast. By playing your part, you’re working toward a better B.C.

Meet the Artists

A collection of talented BC-based artists created the illustrations seen across the campaign.

Kunal Sen

Reminder #1

Kunal is an Animation Director and Motion Designer based in Vancouver, BC. Over the past 10 years Kunal has worked in a variety of mediums: animation for film, broadcast television, advertising, music videos, projections for theatre as well as UIs for video games and apps. Kunal has also taught Motion Graphics at Emily Carr University as a sessional faculty.

Tisha Deb Pillai

Reminder #2

Tisha is an Animation Director and Motion Designer based in Vancouver, BC. She graduated with a Bachelor of Media Arts in Animation from Emily Carr University of Art and Design. Her films have screened at TIFF, Cinanima, Anima Mundi, OIAF, NYICFF and is part of a permanent film collection at the MOMA in New York.

Kristen Campbell

Reminder #3

Kristen graduated with a BFA from Emily Carr University of Art + Design in 2012. Following graduation, her short film, Swift, was awarded Best Student Animation at TIFF, and most recently her work on The New Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle was nominated for a 2020 Daytime Emmy Award. She currently works as an animator and motion designer/compositor, and lives with her three cats in Vancouver, BC.

Priscilla Yu

Reminder #4

Priscilla is a Canadian multi-disciplinary artist, specializing in murals, illustration, creative direction, and surface design. Her work is inspired by the perceivable patterns found in everyday life — through textiles, design, and architecture — as well as nature’s universal patterns on both the macro and micro scale.

Paisley Eva Nahanee

Reminder #5

Paisley Eva is a graphic designer and illustrator who is inspired both by Sḵwx̱wú7mesh art as well as contemporary design. She plays with the blending of both in her work to create something that mixes tradition with modern techniques to create pieces that both honour her ancestors while innovating. Beyond design Paisley Eva is a decolonial facilitator and a DJ.

Cheyenne Manning

Reminder #6

Cheyenne is a Vancouver artist and designer. Her father is from Trinidad, a Caribbean callaloo of cultures. Her Mother is mixed Indigenous/European, specifically Ojibway-Anishinaabe from the Curve Lake First Nation in Ontario. With a BA in Visual Communications, she colourfully blends design, nature and culture.

Jason Bempong

Reminder #7

Jason Bempong is a multi-disciplinary artist who expresses themselves through dance, acting, illustration and clothing design. Jason’s colourful, vibrant illustrative works capture their unique individuality — including their African roots. Rich West African inspired prints and hand-painted clouds, combined with up-cycled clothing, convey an ever-playful, authentic 90s nostalgia.

Laura Kwok

Reminder #8

Laura Kwok is a Canadian artist and muralist with a young spirit and old soul. Her style is vibrant and free, drawing on natural elements and celebrating the magical moments in life. Laura is curious about how art plays a therapeutic role in healing humans, creating connections, and strengthening communities.

Oakland Galbraith

Reminder #9

Oakland is a 13-year-old Black/Indigenous/white artist from Vancouver, BC. He specializes in illustrative work, highlighting themes of identity, inclusion, and the social fabric of his city. Oakland’s art has been featured by the 2020 Vancouver Mural Festival, and on an electrical box for the City of Vancouver.

Further Resources

We hope you explore the links below and dig deeper into the important topic of anti-racism.

Hua Foundation
Hua Foundation is a youth empowerment non-profit working on racial equity and civic engagement issues on unceded Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh territory known as Vancouver, Canada.

Challenging Racist “British Columbia”: 150 Years and Counting
This multi-media resource documents how the recent cycle of anti-racist activism is part of a broader history of Indigenous, Black and other racialized communities challenging white supremacy for over 150 years.

Be Anti-racist
BC’s Office of the Human Rights Commissioner examines what stands between us and an anti-racist province.

CBC Unmasking Racism
Unmasking Racism is a virtual town-hall segment on systemic racism that explores solutions to build safer, more inclusive communities.

Stratagem, Equity and Inclusion
By Cicely Blain Consulting, this 60-page printed workbook is an immersive, deep-dive resource about equity, inclusion and social justice.

Decolonize First
By Ta7talíya Michelle Nahanee, this is a liberating guide and workbook for peeling back the layers of neocolonialism. It features 16 pages of process, prompts and links to resources to support your decolonizing journey.

I Dream Library
This website offers educational tools promoting 2SLGBTQQIA+ IBPOC representation in classrooms and libraries. It features readings lists for kids in pre-kindergarten and Grades 8+, including social justice and sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) booklists.

The Skin We're In
Puncturing the bubble of Canadian smugness and naive assumptions of a post-racial nation, Desmond Cole chronicles one year — 2017 — in the struggle against racism in this country. It is a vital text for anti-racist and social justice movements in Canada.

Hogan’s Alley Society
This organization provides a collection of anti-racism resources specific to the Canadian context. The site also provides a way to get involved in their Metro Vancouver Regional District Black Experience Project, which maps out the experiences, contributions, and challenges of people of African descent in the city.

Call It Out
This 30-minute interactive e-course by the Ontario Human Rights Commission allows you to learn about the history and impact of racism in Canada. It helps you unpack terms like “race,” “racial discrimination,” and “white privilege,” and guides you as to how you can prevent and address racism and hate.