Racism or allyship?

Understanding the difference between racism, allyship and anti-racism can help Defence Team members recognize and challenge behaviours and practices that reinforce systemic racism and racial discrimination.

Racism

People who are racist:

• Believe there are inherent significant biological differences across the human spectrum (for example, beliefs of genetic superiority)
• Inflict harm or wish harm to members of racialized groups or do not work to reduce harm to racialized persons
• Do not believe in equality of all persons or believe in equality but not equity (for example, do not support reconciliation efforts)
• Do not believe that racism exists or believe that racism is warranted or justified
• Deny the existence of unconscious bias and refuse to engage in self-reflection and education to address their own biases and racist beliefs

Ally

People who are allies:

• Align themselves to racialized persons and demonstrate empathy towards the challenges racialized persons face
• Take active steps to understand their own unconscious and conscious biases
• Actively learn about and celebrate cultures other than their own and actively learn about racism in Canada and its continued impacts
• Use their voice to amplify the voices of others and make space at the table for racialized voices
• Call out racial discrimination, bias, bigotry and micro-aggressions when they see it

Anti-racism

People who are anti-racists:

• Use their power and privilege to advance the socio-economic status of racialized persons, and actively work to combat and eliminate racial discrimination
• Take measured and specific steps to ensure marginalized persons feel like they fully belong in the economy and society and its institutions (for example, schools, communities, workplaces, places of worship)
• Work to dismantle systems that were not designed for diverse peoples and which results in their differential treatment
• Create and implement equity granting measures to racialized groups to address equity gaps and achieve equality

Back to top