We asked our members to imagine an anti-racist future.
Here’s what they said.
“It's one where my race isn't seen as a disadvantage; it’s recognized as a powerful and beautiful part of my story. It’s celebrated and allows me to show up fully and authentically.
An anti-racist future learns from diverse cultures and leverages that knowledge to help build a more inclusive and accessible world. I work toward this future by showing up as my whole self whenever possible, taking up space, and using my voice to uplift the experiences of those most marginalized whenever I’m at the table.”
“I imagine a world where we are not forced to flee our homes to escape violence by our oppressors. A world where we can return to our homes, live without fear, and be treated as fully human- without checkpoints, without bombs, and without occupation. I imagine a future where we no longer have to convince the world that our lives matter as much as theirs. A future where our tax dollars in Canada and the US stop funding violence, and instead support life, dignity, and justice. Where anti-racism includes standing against settler colonialism, from Turtle Island to Palestine. Believing in this future might feel hard, but naming it clearly is the first step to building it.”
“Where power structures are radically transformed towards liberation from–and abolition of–manifestations of colonialism, racism, and other interlocking oppression and injustice. For me, an anti-racist future must be decolonial: It will be led by, and responsive to, Indigenous, Black, and/or racialized peoples with others who are committed to building a world which de-centres, undermines, and dismantles colonial and white supremacy.
A collective decolonial anti-racist praxis will be grounded on a deep understanding that all forms of racism and other oppression interlock to create injustice. In order to do so, we need to relentlessly cultivate spaces for deep listening, mutual aid, co-creation, collective accountability, justice, solidarity, and liberation. In these ways, we can make way for a world where everyone can truly flourish and be free.”
“A future marked by the acceptance of diverse identities and a profound commitment to social cohesion across racial and cultural lines-a future rooted in curiosity and knowledge-sharing rather than judgment and prejudice. To contribute to this vision, I actively engage with current issues affecting racialized communities by staying informed through reputable news sources, reviewing academic journals, and participating in ongoing education and training. I strive to amplify these insights within my social and professional circles, fostering dialogue that, while sometimes uncomfortable, is essential for cultivating an
anti-racist mindset. By normalizing these conversations and prioritizing education, we become more equipped to challenge systemic inequalities and promote lasting social change.”
“We need to think about the tangible steps to return LANDBACK to the Indigenous peoples globally who have been stewards of the lands and waters for generations, alongside strategies to liberate people from the colonial-capitalist systems of power that have forced many to participate in these oppressive systems.
Liberate people from oppressive systems that have violently enforced generations of displacement.
I see LANDBACK and liberation as intrinsically linked, as both are necessary to imagining anti racist futures. We see people and planet as being in relation, so one cannot be free without the other.”
“A future where race isn't about a hierarchy but a reflection of human diversity. An anti racist future involves a continuum of decolonization, a future in which we engage multiple worldviews in the way we seek knowledge. A different timeline in which - we exist in a space where and a time when - the spirit of our collective humanity is revitalized.”