BIPOC
and
Anti-Racism

Learners who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC) may face discrimination and racism in the classroom and in Canadian society. All learners benefit from learning about anti-racism in Canada, and all learners benefit from equitable, diverse, and inclusive classes. As a LINC instructor, you are in a privileged position in Canadian society in relation to your learners. It is important to reflect on this privilege and consider 
to what extent it may influence and underpin your approach to teaching immigrants and refugees.

There are several approaches to anti-racism in a LINC class. You are responsible for managing the learning environment and ensuring it is a safe space for all. You can do this by establishing clear expectations for all your learners to demonstrate respect and inclusion. The language that you use will serve as a potent model of the appropriate terminology and respectful approach expected in Canadian workplaces and society in general.

Your teaching and learning materials should be free from bias, stereotypes, and offensive terminology. If you come across materials where such images and language appear, you have an opportunity to call out these representations to your learners. In addition, BIPOC learners should see themselves represented in the curriculum and content of the LINC class. These representations need to go beyond token representations (ATESL, 2022) such as “the first Black Canadian to…” and show the cultures and worldviews of BIPOC learners. These learning resources might include guest speakers, visuals, and online materials.

Be aware that learning about racism and discrimination can bring up emotional responses or trigger traumatic experiences for learners. If learners share their experiences, your role as a LINC instructor is to provide space for this sharing but also to ensure that no learner feels pressured to share. Learners may need time and space to recover from sharing these experiences (ATESL, 2022) and their reactions should not be minimized. You may find yourself an ally for BIPOC learners as they navigate Canadian systems (ATESL, 2022).