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HomeAboutResourcesDiscussion Kit
About the
Pack
When To
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How To
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The Cards

Discussion Pack:
Taking Action Against Racism

Learning to act when we witness racism in our community.

Start Learning!

When we see something racist happens in a public place, it can be hard to speak up or intervene. Crowds make us think somebody else will take the first step, but when everyone thinks like this no one takes any action.

This is called the Bystander Effect, when everyone assumes someone will act but no one does. When we don’t intervene, someone could be physically or emotionally hurt and made to feel they don’t belong

Cats are great

By taking the first step and taking actions, others will step in to help as well. It can be hard to be the first one to intervene, but it is likely others around you are thinking similarly and want to help as well.

Before Starting: Safety Precautions

Your wellbeing and safety are the most important things. Before we focus on the ways to respond, ask yourself:

If the risk is too high, protect yourself and others around you. You can approach and support the target later. 

How to Use the Pack:

Racist incidents are not limited to microaggression. These additional cards have three steps. First cards include case examples (scenarios) from different settings and questions to think to assess the situation. Second cards include responses to them.

In Public
Scenario
Response

SCENARIO

IN PUBLIC
SCENARIO
You MIGHT HEAR

"Why do you wear a turban?"

“Are you a terrorist? Take it off”

FIRST THINK

Is it safe to intervene? Will I become the target if I intervene?

RESPONSE

IN PUBLIC
Response
YOU COULD

Create a distraction: falling, dropping a coffee cup, or starting conversation with the target.

OR

Approach other witnesses, cashier, security guard etc. and ask for their help.

OR

Record it from a distance, include time, date and location information. Approach to target and send the record, never post it online.

SCENARIO

IN PUBLIC
SCENARIO
YOU MIGHT HEAR

"Go back to where you come from"

"Immigrants are ruining this country!"

FIRST THINK

Can the situation escalate into violence? Are there any other witnesses who can help?

RESPONSE

IN PUBLIC
Response
IF IT IS NOT SAFE TO RESPOND

Wait until the threat is no longer there and then ask the target if they need any kind of support. Remind them that they are not alone.

IF IT IS SAFE TO RESPOND

If you intervene, Keep it short and simple. Use phrases like: “Stop it!”, “Leave them alone.” “This is hurtful/ inappropriate/ disrespectful.” 

At Work

SCENARIO

Scenario
Response
AT WORK
SCENARIO
THEY MIGHT

Make fun of a colleague’s accent

Underestimate the potential of a person of colour due to their race

FIRST THINK

Is the perpetrator higher in the ladder or a colleague with a similar title to you? 

If you intervene directly/ challenge the perpetrator would that have any consequences? 

RESPONSE

AT WORK
Response
IF YOU CAN RESPOND

“That is not funny.”

“That’s inappropriate to say and that type of behaviour does not belong in this workplace.”

If You canNOT Respond

Ask your company for anti-racism training for the staff. 

SCENARIO

AT WORK
SCENARIO
THEY MIGHT 

Prevent a coworker from a promotion due to their race

FIRST THINK

If you intervene directly/ challenge the perpetrator would that have any consequences? 

RESPONSE

AT WORK
Response
YOU MIGHT

Contact HR, your manager, your union representative about the issue, and use the bullying and harassment reports in your workplace.

If your workplace doesn't do anything: Contact Worksafe BC and submit a Bullying and Harassment Questionnaire. You can also submit workplace discrimination to BC Human Rights Tribunal

GOOD PRACTICES

Keep a record of all emails, texts, notes, and any relevant documentation.

At School
Scenario
Response

SCENARIO

AT SCHOOL
SCENARIO
YOU MIGHT HEAR

Someone making fun of someone’s accent, skin color, hair type, facial features

FIRST THINK

Is the perpetrator a friend I can talk to?If I talk to them, would the situation escalate?

RESPONSE

AT SCHOOL
Response
IF YOU FEEL SAFE TO RESPOND

“What you said is racist and I don’t want to hang out with you if this is how you are going to act”

IF YOU CANNOT RESPOND

Talk to your teacher; and report the incident to school. 

Report to anti-bullying and harassment tools Erase and Bullying Canada 

SCENARIO

AT SCHOOL
SCENARIO
THIS MIGHT HEAR:

Shunning a fellow student due to their race

An instructor who shows racial bias

FIRST THINK

Is the perpetrator a friend I can talk to?If I talk to them, would the situation escalate?

RESPONSE

AT SCHOOL
Response
YOU COULD

Keep a record of all emails, texts, and any relevant documentation. 

Report racial discrimination to your university’s discrimination and harassment prevention committee or Ombudsperson. 

In Your Personal Life
Scenario
Response

SCENARIO

IN PERSONAL LIFE
SCENARIO
THEY MIGHT HEar

In presence of an Asian person “You guys sure don’t know how to drive.”

FIRST THINK

What is my connection to this person? (Talking to parents will be different than talking to children)

RESPONSE

IN PERSONAL LIFE
Response
You Might

Show your support to target. Ask them if they want to go for a walk, accompany them. Tell them you are sorry that it happened and you are by their side.

OR

Show discomfort with appropriate gestures, or through not laughing at their joke and stating it is not funny.

OR

Change the topic to make the racist remark irrelevant. Later on, don’t forget to check-in with the target to show your support.

SCENARIO

IN PERSONAL LIFE
SCENARIO
THEY MIGHT SAY

“Indigenous people live for free and they don’t contribute to society.”

“We can’t find jobs because of immigrants.”

Why it is hurtful

What is my connection to this person? (Talking to parents will be different than talking to children)

Is this a moment they will listen to me or will they become defensive and feel challenged?

RESPONSE

IN PERSONAL LIFE
Response
You Might

Change the topic to make the racist remark irrelevant. 

OR

Talk to the perpetrator one on one. When you talk to them, share a stereotype you also believed to be true and how your mind changed, to create empathy.

OR

Address the issue at the moment, especially if it’s a microaggression/ everyday racism and the perpetrator does not realize the hurt they are causing.

Online
Scenario
Response

SCENARIO

ONLINE
SCENARIO
THEY MIGHT SEE

A comment with racial slurs on your friend’s post (someone attacking your friend based on their race)

FIRST THINK

Do I know the perpetrator or is this a stranger?

 If it’s a stranger, are they anonymous or do they use their actual name?

RESPONSE

ONLINE
Response
You Could

Show your support to the target. Send them a personal message, start a support hashtag to make the perpetrator’s messages irrelevant/ignored. 

OR

Report the user to the website. Most social media websites have a direct reporting system.

OR

Report the user to the website. Most social media websites have a direct reporting system.

SCENARIO

ONLINE
SCENARIO
You might see

Images and/or threats based on racial identity on your timeline

FIRST THINK

Do I know the perpetrator or is this a stranger?

If it’s a stranger, are they anonymous or do they use their actual name?

RESPONSE

ONLINE
Response
You Migh

Report the perpetrator  to the website. 

Most social media websites have a reporting system, you can take screenshots and submit, or report the post directly.

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