Week 10 - Racism In Canada Flashcards
History of racism
- colonialism
- residential schools
- immiragation practices
- Japanese camps
- immigration policies against Chinese immigrants
Comparisons with the past and/or other countries is \
not helpful
Generally, it is best not to do attempts at
“quantifying” racism
The idea of the Canadian Multiculturalism Act (1988)
Idea: Recognizing Canada as a nation with cultural and racial diversity (so, not a “white Western” nation). People can preserve their cultural heritage. Everyone is equal and should receive equal treatment.
The point of the Canadian multicultural act is
Made to reflect Canada’s diversity and to emphasize the importance of immigration for Canada
Problem with Canadian multicultural act
May be ideal when written in law, but no in practice/ the real world
- and it may be detrimental to different minority groups, what does peacefully coexisting mean exactly? Who’s it saying this too?
- problems with integration and national identity
- hides racism and discrimination, doesn’t address it
What created cultural ghettos
Multicultural act
Old forms of racism example
Hate crimes
New racism examples
Using negative sentiments about radicalized groups using use-neutral language (culture, religion)
Is racism less open in canada than USA?
Arguable
Why are Canadians appalled by the idea of racism
Becuase it goes against Canadians beleifs of equality and fairness
Many Canadians emphasize equal treatment for everyone and argue for a
colour-blind approach
Henry and Tator (2010):
Democratic racism.
Democratic racism
- Specific Canadian types of racism
- values conflict with democratic values and negative attitudes towards minorities
Canadians strongly believe in
- liberal democratic values - egalitarianism, tolerance
- personal merit (being rewarded based on merit)
- skin colour is irrelevant for one’s status in a democratic society.
