University of Toronto Professor Joseph Heath argued in a Globe and Mail editorial published on Friday that the term "BIPOC" (Black, Indigenous and People of Colour) is not an acronym that properly fits into Canada's discussions around race and identity.
Heath argues that Canada should adopt its own lingo—something that is already done in the likes of Britain, who instead opt for BAME (Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic.)
"Rather than developing our own acronym to reflect the reality of race relations and multiculturalism in Canada, far too many people have chosen just to use the American term," Heath writes, before eventually suggesting that Canada opt for "FIVM." (Francophone, Indigenous, and Visible Minority.)
Heath argues that the racial makeups of Canada and the US are too different, and that the social problems faced by the two groups vary too greatly to use the term in Canada appropriately.
Heath points out that just 3.5 percent of Canadians are black, whereas black people in the US make up closer to 13 percent of the population.
"Because of their distinctive history in the U.S., it makes sense to treat Black people as a separate category in that country. And because of their demographics, it may make some sense to put them before Indigenous people, who make up only 1.6 per cent of the U.S. population. In Canada, however, where Indigenous people make up almost 5 per cent of the population, it makes no sense at all to put the B before the I, or even to treat Black people as a separate category from other ethnic groups," he writes.
Heath writes that Canada's use of BIPOC amounts closely to what is a consequence of American cultural imperialism. "How else could anyone get the wild idea that it might advance the cause of social justice to import American racial politics?" he concludes.
Heath does not make any argument or justifications as to why Francophones are included on the acronym that is otherwise made up of visible minorities.
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