Until We Are Free: Reflections on Black Lives Matter in Canada

Until We Are Free: Reflections on Black Lives Matter in Canada assembles writings from leading Black Canadian activists, scholars, and cultural figures about anti-Black racism and resistance in Canada. The collection presents perspectives on systemic discrimination, police violence, border policies, and the formation of Black Lives Matter movements across Canadian cities. Editor Robyn Maynard brings together contributors who examine Canada's history of slavery, segregation, and ongoing structural inequalities through personal narratives and academic analysis. The essays document protests, community organizing, and grassroots activism while challenging the myth of Canadian racial exceptionalism. Contributors explore themes of Black political agency, cultural resistance, and collective mobilization for justice. Through its focus on Canadian contexts and experiences, the book reveals how anti-Black racism manifests differently north of the U.S. border while remaining connected to broader transnational struggles for Black liberation. The anthology serves as both a record of contemporary Black Canadian organizing and a call to continue the work of dismantling systemic racism. Its interconnected narratives demonstrate the power of collective voice and action in confronting national myths and demanding transformative change.

Most readers value this book's examination of systemic racism in Canada and its challenge to the myth that racial injustice only happens in the US. They appreciate the diverse perspectives from multiple Black Canadian writers and activists. Readers highlight the concrete examples of anti-Black racism in Canadian institutions, with many noting it opened their eyes to issues they hadn't known about. Multiple reviews mention the clear writing style makes complex topics accessible. Some readers found the anthology format led to uneven quality between chapters and repetitive themes. A few reviewers wanted more proposed solutions rather than just problem identification. Ratings: Goodreads: 4.4/5 (129 ratings) Amazon.ca: 4.7/5 (16 ratings) Common reader comment: "Required reading for Canadians who think racism doesn't exist here" Notable criticism from a Goodreads review: "While the personal stories are powerful, the academic language in some chapters may limit accessibility for general readers."

The Skin We're In by Desmond Cole A chronicle of anti-Black racism in Canada through personal narratives and systemic analysis.

BlackLife: Post-BLM and the Struggle for Freedom by Rinaldo Walcott and Idil Abdillahi An examination of Black resistance movements in Canada and their connection to global Black liberation struggles.

Policing Black Lives by Robyn Maynard A documentation of state violence against Black people in Canada from slavery to present-day surveillance and incarceration.

They Said This Would Be Fun by Eternity Martis A memoir of anti-Black racism and survival at a Canadian university that exposes institutional racism in higher education.

Black Writers Matter by Whitney French A collection of works by Black Canadian writers addressing racism, identity, and resistance through essays and personal stories.

🔹 Robyn Maynard's work as an activist and scholar has had significant impact in Montreal, where she spent over a decade working with marginalized communities and advocating against racial profiling. 🔹 The book builds on Maynard's previous groundbreaking work "Policing Black Lives: State Violence in Canada from Slavery to the Present" (2017), which became one of the most influential examinations of anti-Black racism in Canadian history. 🔹 The collection features contributions from over 15 prominent Black Canadian writers, activists, and scholars, offering diverse perspectives on the Black Lives Matter movement's impact in Canada. 🔹 The title "Until We Are Free" draws inspiration from a quote by civil rights activist Fannie Lou Hamer: "Nobody's free until everybody's free," connecting the Canadian movement to the broader global struggle for Black liberation. 🔹 The book challenges the commonly held belief that racism is primarily an American issue by documenting specific cases and patterns of systemic racism within Canadian institutions, from education to law enforcement.