Decolonizing Equity

Institutions are increasingly aware of their roles in settler colonialism and anti-Black racism, and racialized workers are tasked with developing equity plans. This collection acknowledges this work as both survival and burden for Black, Indigenous, and racialized peoples. It highlights what we already know and are already doing in our respective areas and offers a vision of what equity can look like through a decolonial lens. The focus on decolonizing equity is an invitation to re-articulate what equity work can look like when we refuse to separate ideas of equity from the historical and contemporary realities of colonialism.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 208 pages
Publication date: 30 August 2022
Publisher: Fernwood Publishing Co Ltd

Institutions across the globe are increasingly recognizing their involvement in settler colonialism and anti-Black racism. As a result, many racialized workers are being tasked with creating equity plans for their departments, associations, or faculties. This collection recognizes this work as both a survival strategy and a burden for Black, Indigenous, and racialized peoples. It highlights the knowledge and practices that we already possess in our respective fields and provides a glimpse of what decolonial equity can entail.

One of the key questions that this collection seeks to address is how we can make this work possible. How do we care for ourselves and each other as we engage in this work? What forms of solidarity, collaboration, or allyship can we cultivate in our pursuit of decolonial equity? What are the implicit and explicit barriers that we face in shifting equity discourse, policy, and practice, and what strategies, skills, and practices can help us create environments and lived realities of decolonial equity?

To answer these questions, the collection features contributions from a diverse range of scholars, activists, and practitioners. These voices offer insights into the experiences and perspectives of Indigenous, Black, and other racialized peoples as they navigate the complexities of decolonial equity work. They challenge us to think critically about the ways in which our institutions perpetuate colonialism and anti-Black racism and offer alternative visions for a more just and equitable future.

One of the central themes of the collection is the importance of re-imagining what equity work can look like when it is grounded in a decolonial framework. Contributors argue that traditional notions of equity, which are often rooted in Western colonialism, are inadequate in addressing the unique experiences and challenges faced by Black, Indigenous, and racialized peoples. Instead, they propose a vision of decolonial equity that is rooted in the recognition of Indigenous sovereignty, the dismantling of colonial structures, and the promotion of collective well-being.

Another important theme of the collection is the need to center the voices and experiences of Indigenous, Black, and other racialized peoples in the pursuit of decolonial equity. Contributors argue that the dominant narratives and frameworks of equity work often overlook the contributions and perspectives of these communities. By centering their voices and experiences, we can create a more inclusive and effective approach to equity work that recognizes the diversity and complexity of our shared realities.

The collection also explores the challenges and barriers that racialized workers face in their pursuit of decolonial equity. Contributors discuss the ways in which institutional racism, discrimination, and marginalization can hinder their ability to create change and promote equity. They offer strategies and practices for overcoming these barriers, such as building alliances with other marginalized communities, advocating for policy change, and developing self-care and resilience practices.

In conclusion, this edited collection offers a valuable contribution to the field of decolonial equity work. By centering the voices and experiences of Indigenous, Black, and other racialized peoples, it provides a vision for a more just and equitable future. It challenges us to think critically about the ways in which our institutions perpetuate colonialism and anti-Black racism and offers practical strategies and practices for creating environments and lived realities of decolonial equity. As we continue to navigate the complexities of our shared histories and present realities, this collection serves as a reminder of the importance of solidarity, collaboration, and allyship in our pursuit of a more just and equitable world.

Dimension: 23 x 15 x 1 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781773635156