Description

Decolonizing Anti-Racism

This article interrogates antiracism theorists for their failure to address ongoing colonization of Indigenous peoples in the Americas. The authors argue that the implications of this failure are profound. First, it marginalizes and excludes Aboriginal activists and academics from the larger project of antiracism. Second, this failure makes antiracism complicit in the ongoing colonization of Aboriginal people, and renders it largely irrelevant to Indigenous decolonization. Third, the article illustrates the ways in which this failure distorts our understanding of “race” and racism. The authors call for the decolonization of antiracism and offer suggestions on thinking through the ways in which historic and ongoing colonialism has shaped and continues to structure the relationship that peoples of color have with white settler nationalist projects. Finally, the authors underline the need for dialogue between antiracist theorists/activists and indigenous theorists/activists that is not simply based on common experiences of racism, but on addressing their different relationship to colonialism in Canada.

white-settler nations, colonialism in Canada, ongoing colonization of indigenous or Aboriginal peoples, court decisions, race and racism, activism

Citation: Social Justice Vol. 32, No. 4 (2005): 120-143