Revolution Remix: Systemic Racism and Black Empowerment Movements in 1960s Canada

Students of African descent at Sir George Williams University, a prominent Canadian institution located in Montréal, raised concerns about a professor’s marginalizing treatment and unfair evaluation of their academic performance. The lack of response by the university was discriminatory. Students disputing their grades led to “one of the most destructive student protests in Canadian history.” Participants in the protest included students who believed in civil rights and those who initially complained to the university.

This event is a reminder that institutional racism not only existed at Canadian universities, but was also embedded within the legal and medical systems. The affair impacted the livelihoods and aspirations of the students involved.

This topic explores:
• Professor Anderson’s comments on students from the Caribbean
• Rosie Douglas
• Students in the courtroom
• The verdict
• Apology letter from Sir George Williams University, now known as Concordia University