The Policing Black Lives: State Violence in Canada from Slavery to the Present

The Policing Black Lives examines anti-Black racism in Canada through a historical and contemporary lens. Author Robyn Maynard traces state violence against Black communities from the era of slavery to present-day surveillance and policing practices. Drawing on extensive research and documentation, Maynard analyzes how systemic racism operates within Canadian institutions including law enforcement, education, child welfare, and immigration. She connects these modern systems to their historical roots while highlighting voices and experiences from Black communities across the country. Through case studies and policy analysis, the book challenges Canada's self-image as a haven from racism and white supremacy. The work reveals patterns of discrimination and oppression that persist despite official multiculturalism. This critical text reframes conversations about race relations in Canada by centering Black experiences and resistance. It offers necessary context for understanding how anti-Black racism continues to shape Canadian society and institutions.

Readers describe this as an eye-opening examination of anti-Black racism in Canada that challenges the notion of Canadian racial exceptionalism. Many note it fills a gap in documenting Black Canadian experiences and systemic discrimination. Positives: - Thorough research and extensive citations - Clear historical connections from slavery to present-day - Inclusion of statistics and concrete examples - Focus on intersectionality, especially regarding Black women - Accessible academic writing style Criticisms: - Some sections feel repetitive - Could include more solutions/calls to action - Ontario/Quebec-centric with less coverage of other regions - Academic tone can be dense for casual readers Ratings: Goodreads: 4.5/5 (1,000+ ratings) Amazon.ca: 4.7/5 (100+ ratings) Notable reader comment: "Should be required reading for every Canadian who believes racism doesn't exist here" - Goodreads reviewer Some readers mention using it as a reference book rather than reading cover-to-cover due to its academic style.

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📚 Robyn Maynard spent over a decade doing frontline outreach work with marginalized communities in Montreal before writing this groundbreaking book. 🗓️ Though published in 2017, the book was the first major work to comprehensively examine anti-Black racism and state violence in Canada across four centuries. ⚖️ The research reveals that while Canada is often celebrated for being the terminal point of the Underground Railroad, it simultaneously practiced slavery for over 200 years. 🔍 The book demonstrates how seemingly neutral systems, like education and immigration policies, have historically been used as tools for racial surveillance and control of Black communities in Canada. 📊 Maynard's work draws from previously unexplored government archives and data sets to expose racial disparities in Canadian institutions, including how Black children are far more likely to be removed from their families by child protective services.