There are approximately 1.4 million Black people in Canada, and 3.8 million Indigenous people.
Given the historical discrimination experienced by Indigenous peoples and Black Canadians, many BIPOC have struggled to gain access to education, employment opportunities, social safety nets and capital.
The term BIPOC is increasingly used as a way to describe all folks of colour in contrast with white Canadians. The term has become popular in recent years as an umbrella term to describe visible minorities from a range of marginalized backgrounds including Black and Indigenous groups, among others.
Studies show that BIPOC business owners are significantly under-represented when it comes to small business loans received from traditional banks, meaning many entrepreneurs of colour have relied on alternative financing options such as peer-to-peer lending platforms or merchant cash advances.
Introduction:
The topic of race is a difficult one to navigate, especially in the context of business.
However, with heightened awareness around BIPOC and anti-racism
initiatives in Canada, it’s an important conversation to have and understand.
That being said, what do these terms actually mean? And how are they shaping the business landscape in Canada?
In this article, we’ll explore the meaning behind BIPOC and anti-racism, their impact on business in Canada, and how you can help drive meaningful change.
To start, we need to understand the terms BIPOC and anti-racism.
BIPOC stands for Black, Indigenous and People of Colour. It is a term used to refer to people who are marginalized by society because of their racial identity, or because they identify with a specific cultural or ethnic group that has been historically oppressed by white people in North America and around the world.
The term "people of colour" can be understood as an umbrella term that covers all types of non-white communities; however it's important to note that different communities experience discrimination differently due to varying intersectional identities (i.e., race plus gender plus sexual orientation).
For example: being black means you're oppressed by white supremacy—but also may face oppression based on your gender identity as well--and so on...
Anti-racism is not just about being opposed to racism itself; but about understanding how racism works through systems like capitalism, colonialism and patriarchy (among other things) so we can dismantle them altogether!
Now that we have an understanding of BIPOC and anti-racism, let’s dive into how they affect the business landscape.
BIPOC's are often excluded from the business landscape because of their race.
BIPOC's are often excluded from the business landscape because of their gender.
BIPCO's are often excluded from the business landscape because of their sexual orientation.
How can business owners help?
Here's the bottom line: there are many ways to be an ally.
The first step is to recognize your own privilege, and then take action by educating yourself about the history of racism in Canada.
By being aware of how your actions affect other people, you can help ensure that BIPOC have the opportunity to apply for jobs and grow their skillsets among diverse artists and creatives.
The best way to do this is by hiring more BIPOC employees!
Hire BIPOC's as freelancers if you don't currently have any full-time positions available but want to give them exposure within your company (especially if it's related to their field).
This can help build up portfolios for future job applications (and might also lead one day into a full-time position).
Understanding BIPOC and anti-racism is key to improving the business landscape.
The BIPOC community is the fastest growing and most underrepresented group in Canada.
They are also the most underrepresented group in the business world, with less than 1% of senior management role being occupied by people from this demographic.
The reason for this lack of representation can be attributed to a combination of factors, including:
Lack of diversity training within organizations (specifically at executive level)
A lack of visibility for BIPOC leaders in business and media
Inclusion not being a priority when it comes to hiring practices
Conclusion
I'm just going to say it: racism is bad for business. It’s bad for those who experience it, and it’s bad for those who perpetuate it.
This is why we need to talk about BIPOC in the context of anti-racism and how that affects our business landscape.
We also need to get comfortable with having these conversations because, as I mentioned earlier, there are many people who don’t know how to begin talking about racist issues in a way that doesn’t make them feel uncomfortable or embarrassed by their own ignorance and prejudice.
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How do you think we could converse about this topic is a solution-oriented way to evoke change?
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Thanks for reading June's article and if you found this information insightful, thought provoking and/or is in need of further discussion then comment with your opinion below!
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- Tara "Articulate Tee" Omorogbe
Yorumlar