There are times we we will hear questions from United States residents about whether things are really at the point of leaving. We will also hear sometimes from Canadian residents that things aren’t much better there. One phrase you hear often is “racism with a smile.” While we did not choose to move to another country to be more well-liked (you can be hated in another country, and still recognize that violence against you is a lot less likely), in our admittedly short time in Halifax, NS so far, we believe the differences between here and actions in the United States cannot be more stark.
I didn’t choose every headline as that list would be innumerable — instead I chose the headlines that made national headlines or created stark contrasts from what we’ve seen in Nova Scotia.
So, for residents of both Canada and the United States, this post is just a running list of all the systemic ways in which Black people in the US have been targeted. And hopefully it is a reminder of why mental health comes with looking for a place where you feel less targeted.
- August 14, 2025 – Officer Who Was Caught Punching Black Teen in Face During Traffic Stop Cleared of Charges [Traffic Stop]
- The Department of the Interior issued Secretary Order 3431 to implement provisions of EO 14253. This order mandates that all removed racist statues be reinstated, and orders the Secretary to review signage in national parks for mention of slavery or negative Native American History.
- The Department of the Interior issued Secretary Order 3431 to implement provisions of EO 14253. This order mandates that all removed racist statues be reinstated, and orders the Secretary to review signage in national parks for mention of slavery or negative Native American History.
- August 12, 2025 – “Black Leaders Feel Under Siege After Trump’s DC Takeover” [Federal Executive Order]
Black leaders express concern for racist undertones after President Trump deploys more than 800 national guard troops onto the streets of Washington, D.C.
- August 2, 2025 – “Black Professor’s Grant to Study Causes of Black Maternal Mortality Rescinded by Trump Administration” [Federal Executive Order]
- As part of the Trump administration’s efforts to remove funding for resources that specifically impact communities of color, the new administration cancelled an already-approved $2.4M grant provided to understand why Black Americans are more than 2.5 times likely to die in childbirth compared to White Americans.
- May 20, 2025 – President Trump’s Secretary Issues Order 3431 Implementing EO 14253 [Federal Executive Order]
The Department of the Interior issued Secretary Order 3431 to implement provisions of EO 14253. This order mandates that all removed racist statues be reinstated, and orders the Secretary to review signage in national parks for mention of slavery or negative Native American History. - May 5, 2025 – Jury Acquits 3 of 5 Officers Charged with Fatally Beating 29-Year old Black Man [Unarmed Shooting]
5 members of the Memphis Police Department punched, kicked, pepper sprayed, and struck Tyre Nichols with a baton. Medics did not offer care until 16 minutes after arriving. Nichols later died. 3 of the members were acquitted of state murder charges. They were convicted of federal charges a year earlier. - May 2, 2025 – Lost Black Door Dash Driver Shot At by New York City Official [Unarmed Shooting]
A doorbell camera caught on tape the moment a Black Door Dash delivery driver was shot while attempting to deliver an order.
- March 31, 2025 – President Trump Issues Executive Order 14253: “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History”[Federal Executive Order]
President Donald Trump signed an executive order targeting the National Museum of African American History and Culture, accusing it of promoting “race-centered ideology.” The museum is the 11th most visited museum in the country. The Executive Order also mandates the restoration of monuments removed since 2020 and assigns Vice President JD Vance to oversee the removal of “improper ideology” from Smithsonian properties. - February 1, 2025 – Trump Admin Blames DC Plane Crash on Incompetent People of Color [News Disparagement]
In the immediate aftermath of a mid-air collision between a passenger airliner and a military helicopter, President Trump, without evidence, blamed DEI initiatives directed at agencies that are “too white for the collision. All members of the helicopter crash were White.
- September 11, 2024 – Fearless Fund Black VC Fund ends Program after lawsuit by White Plaintiffs [Court Decision]
The Fearless Fund, a Black female VC Fund aimed to increase VC investment to Black women (who receive less than 1% of all VC funding) settled a lawsuit alleging discrimination against White founders (who receive over 97% of all VC funding). The Plaintiffs “American Alliance for Equal Rights” have shut down many such programs by people of color supporting people of color.
- May 9, 2024 – Iowa Senate File 2435 Restricts DEI in Higher Education [State Legislation]
Iowa passed SF 2435, a budget bill that includes provisions banning DEI offices at state colleges and universities. These offices are responsible for support students of color, veterans, student parents, and more. The law also limits the promotion of concepts like allyship, antiracism, and systemic oppression.
- July 6, 2024 – Woman Calls Police Regarding a Potential Intruder, Gets Killed [Unarmed Shooting]
Sonya Massey called police to report a potential intruder entering her home. Police found Sonya Massey in the kitchen holding a pot of water and shot and killed her.
- May 3, 2024 – Black Florida Airman Killed in His Apartment by Sheriff Who Went to Wrong Door [Unarmed Shooting]
A Sheriff’s Deputy who went to the wrong apartment shot and killed a 23-year old gunman as he spoke to his girlfriend on Face Time.
- January 1, 2024 – Texas Senate Bill 17 Bans DEI Offices in all Texas Colleges [State Legislation]
Texas enacted SB 17, prohibiting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) offices and policies in public colleges and universities. The law ends all departments, staff, and programs that support students of color, veterans, student parents, and more.
- August 26, 2023 – Jacksonville, Florida: Dollar General Shooting [Mass Shooting]
A white gunman fatally shot three Black individuals at a Dollar General store in what authorities described as a racially motivated attack. The shooter died by suicide at the scene. - June 29, 2023 – Supreme Court Ends Affirmative Action in Higher Education [Court Decision]
The Supreme Court ended nearly 50 years of precedent when it decided 6-3 to end all Affirmative Action in Higher Education. Headlines focused on benefits to Blacks despite White women being the overwhelming beneficiary of the policies. - July 1, 2022 – Florida introduces “Stop WOKE Act” targeting diversity in business [State Legislation]
Governor DeSantis signed legislation preventing businesses from providing any diversity training programs or initiatives within the state of Florida. It also imposed strict sanctions on companies who violated the programs. The law was overturned by a federal judge in 2024.
- May 14, 2022 – Buffalo, New York: Tops Friendly Markets Shooting [Mass Shooting]
A white supremacist gunman opened fire at a supermarket in a predominantly Black neighborhood, killing 10 Black individuals and injuring three others. The attack was live-streamed and motivated by racist ideologies.
