Racialization of Knowledge: How the Marginalization of Black History and Knowledges Fosters a Lack of Racial Literacy among Teacher Candidates

Abstract

This paper examines the practice within universities of restricting the number of courses focussing on Black/African-Canadian history and ‘Blackness’, in the context of teacher education programs, and the implications for the unawareness of racial literacy among teacher candidates. The lack of such courses at select universities in Western Canada is discussed, as are the consequences for teacher candidates. Teacher education programs can address the systemic gaps in Black history courses and Black knowledge systems and better serve the interests of students by, offering courses that centers Black worldviews and hire Black scholars to foster a more equitable learning environment.