Blackness and la Francophonie

Book excerpt: This book delves into the complexity of the exclusion of multiple minority identities against the backdrop of anti-Black racism, linguistic discrimination, slavery, and colonialism and neo-colonialism, along with resilience against identity exclusion. Analyzing the construction and negotiation of Canadian, Francophone, and Black-African identities, we juxtapose inclusive identity meanings with dominant perceptions to show ways in which race, language, ethnicity, and religion shape identities in the 21st century. Drawing on the criterial tradition, critical race theory, critical multiculturalism, and critical ethnography, we engage the work of Frantz Fanon and Negritude and utilize semi-structured interviews, document collection, and content analysis to interpret identity and identification. We shed light on identity exclusion and subjectivity that fuels identity strategizing and agency, and recommend reforms, including naming Black Canadians an independent designated group, and combining multiculturalism and official bilingualism to strengthen belongingness among Blacks and other marginalized communities and to build the inclusive future that we long for.