Fighting a 'Public Enemy' of Black Academic Achievement—the persistence of racism and the schooling experiences of Black students in Canada

Abstract

This article adds to the growing literature on the Black education experience in Canada - a subject that has not been a priority in mainstream Canadian education. The author shares a significant part of the results of a study that investigated, documented and analysed the experiences of academically successful Black students in Alberta's secondary schools. Drawing from the experiences of these students, the article highlights the issue of systemic racism in Canadian society as a significant barrier that stands in the way of Black academic achievement. The article also shows how Black students cope with racism and the impact of racism on Black student academic achievement. It argues that if we are to address the chronic underachievement of Black students, the issue of racism must be tackled aggressively by educational institutions and school administrators. For too long, educators have greatly underestimated the effects of racism on Black youths in Western multiethnic societies like Canada.