| <br>While respecting the perspectives and needs of other marginalized groups and segments, DTBEN is in itself a diverse and representative network fully committed to work with Senior Leaders, Functional Authorities and all Defence Advisory Groups (DAGs) to contributing to mitigating within the DND and CAF, systemic racism and discrimination, including anti-Indigenous and anti-Black racism, gender bias, prejudice against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, two-spirited people and others (LGBTQ2+), and white supremacy.</br></blockquote></font></font> | | <br>While respecting the perspectives and needs of other marginalized groups and segments, DTBEN is in itself a diverse and representative network fully committed to work with Senior Leaders, Functional Authorities and all Defence Advisory Groups (DAGs) to contributing to mitigating within the DND and CAF, systemic racism and discrimination, including anti-Indigenous and anti-Black racism, gender bias, prejudice against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, two-spirited people and others (LGBTQ2+), and white supremacy.</br></blockquote></font></font> |
| + | *Discrimination and systemic barriers exist within the Defence Team that prevent the full participation of Black team members. These barriers limit career advancement, undermine mental health and well-being, while also creating unsafe workspaces for Black employees and CAF members. |
| + | *The United Nations Special Working Group to Canada acknowledged that within the visible minority category, Black people have the lowest levels of employment, the least opportunity for promotion, experience the most discrimination and harassment by race and have the highest rates of mental health issues; hence the recognition that people of African descent are to be categorized as a distinct group rather than be aggregated with other visible minorities/racialized groups. |