George Brown Polytechnic is located on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and other Indigenous peoples who have lived here over time. We are grateful to share this land as treaty people who learn, work and live in the community with each other.
What is Anti-Asian Racism?
Anti-Asian Racism is racism that is directed towards people of Asian descent. This includes biases, prejudices, attitudes and beliefs, stereotyping, discrimination, and harassment. Anti-Asian racism is not new, but it is on the rise across Canada. Harmful rhetoric around the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a significant increase in the number of reports of Anti-Asian harassment, discrimination, and violence. Experiencing Anti-Asian racism can be challenging and traumatic, and we encourage any individual who may be struggling to reach out for support.
Everyone has a role to play in challenging and interrupting Anti-Asian racism. See below for a list of resources to learn more about the roots of Anti-Asian racism, what it looks like today, and what you can do to end it. Also included is a list of community supports and supports available through George Brown Polytechnic for people who have been impacted by Anti-Asian racism.
Learn more about how to challenge and interrupt Anti-Asian Racism
Government of Canada - Addressing anti-Asian racism
For too many Asian communities in Canada, anti-Asian racism is a daily lived reality. We need to raise awareness of the challenges faced by these communities across Canada and to confront and denounce all forms of anti-Asian racism and discrimination.
City of Toronto - Anti-East Asian Racism
Torontonians of East Asian descent contribute to the economic and cultural fabric of our city. Diverse cultures and communities such as these have helped create Toronto’s identity as a vibrant, global city. Silence and inaction help perpetrate racism and discrimination.
Anti-Asian racism during coronavirus: How the language of disease produces hate and violence
This article looks at how the coronavirus has amplified underlying prejudice against Asian communities that has been a staple feature in North American society since the first Chinese workers arrived in the mid-19th century.
Right to Be
Right to be is a nonprofit working to end harassment - in all it's forms. They believe that everyone deserves the resources to respond to, prevent, and intervene in incidences of harassment. They provide training including Bystander Intervention to Stop Anti-Asian/American and Xenophobic Harassment.
Fight COVID Racism
Fight COVID Racism is a website dedicated to tracking Anti-Asian racism during COVID-19. This website also includes multi-lingual resources and links to other important services.
Project 1907
Project 1907 is a grassroots organization made up of Asian women that provides information about Anti-Asian racism during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Addressing Anti-Asian Racism: A Resource for Educators
This is a resource from the Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario and the Toronto District School Board.
The Chinese Canadian Historical Society of BC
This offers information on the history of Asian communities in Canada as well as resources to learn more about Anti-Asian racism.
Black Women Radicals
Black Women Radicals provides a reading list for Black and Asian-American Feminist Solidarities.
Chinese Canadian National Council - For Social Justice
The council educates, engages and advocates for equity and justice for all in Canada. They provide resources and are running campaigns around stopping online hate and stopping the spread of racism.
Hong Fook Mental Health Association
They offer mental health services to the Cambodian, Chinese (Cantonese and Mandarin), Korean, and Vietnamese communities in Ontario.
Contact: 416-493-4242
Chinese and Southeast Asian Legal Clinic
This clinic offers free legal services to low-income, non-English speaking clients from the Chinese, Vietnamese, Laotian, and Cambodian communities of Toronto.
Contact: 416-971-9674
Project Protech
They offer online mental health, coping, and self-care resources and strategies.
Soch Mental Health
Soch Mental Health is a nonprofit enhancing the mental health literacy of South Asians through education, prevention, and resilience-building initiatives.
Migrant Workers Alliance for Change
Migrant Workers Alliance for Change provides support and organizing by and for migrant workers and international students, with a focus on worker and immigration justice.
The Office of Anti-Racism, Equity & Human Rights (OAREHRS)
This is the place to report Anti-Asian racism at the college. It is also the place to file a Human Rights Complaint. The OAREHRS team can also provide support and referrals.
Contact: diversity@georgebrown.ca
Student Counselling & Well-Being
This team provides free and confidential counselling services to George Brown students.
Good2Talk
This organization offers free and confidential support services to post-secondary students in Ontario.
Contact: 1-866-925-5454
We Connect
For students enrolled in the student health benefits program, We Speak Student, We Connect can provide 24/7 virtual/online and telephone counselling in multiple languages to students worldwide.
Contact: 1-888-377-0002
The Employee and Family Assistance Program
This program at George Brown is available to provide confidential support services to college employees.
Contact: 1-844-880=9142
Learn more about the work, heritage, and experiences of Asian Canadians.
Early Chinese workers in British Columbia, 1880s
Experiences of Sawmill workers in British Columbia, early 20th century
The Continuous Journey Regulation of 1908
The Komagata Maru Incident, a personal story, and more information.
History of the longest-standing Sikh temple in Canada, the Gur Sikh Gurdwara
About Darshan Singh Sangha, an Asian Canadian labour organiser: OER textbook chapter, in-depth podcast exploration.
Important moments and leaders in Asian Canadian Labour History article, podcast episode 8, and transcript
South Asian Canadian Digital Archive (Dis)Enfranchisement exhibit
More resources on South Asian Canadian Heritage