GRACE-EDWARD GALABUZI

Think the struggles of immigrants of colour in finding viable employment are isolated from the heightened realities of poverty among people of colour in Canada? Think again.

Dr. Grace-Edward Galabuzi, a leading expert on race and poverty in Canada, describes for ‘Canvas’ the intrinsic links between under-employment, racism, poverty, and social exclusion.

“Racial hierarchical structures have been part of Canadian society from the beginning.”

Galabuzi points to systemic problems that perpetuate the racism and poverty confronted by immigrants of colour and other vulnerable groups.

How to correct the situation? For starters, challenge it through intersecting analyses.

As much as social justice movements understand poverty, says Galabuzi, many of them lack a proper anti-racism analysis, rendering them ineffective in explaining why people of colour are so disproportionately affected by poverty.

To achieve meaningful success in ending poverty and racism in Canada, social movements need to adopt and operate within that analysis.

Racial hierarchical structures have been part of Canadian society from the beginning