EXPERIENCES CANADA
Anti-Racism Conversations
Overview - introduction to anti-racism
Key Words
A Brief History of Racism in Canada
Activity : Identity Wheel
webinar
Keywords
Race: “the idea that the human species is divided into distinct groups on the basis of inherited physical and behavioral differences. This concept, however, is not based on science - Genetic studies in the late 20th century refuted the existence of biogenetically distinct races. “Races” are cultural inventions reflecting specific attitudes and beliefs that were imposed on different populations in the wake of western European conquests beginning in the 15th century.” - Britannica
Racism: Racism is a belief that one group is superior to others performed through any individual action, or institutional practice which treats people differently because of their colour or ethnicity. This distinction is often used to justify discrimination. There are three types of racism: Institutional, Systemic, and Individual. - CRRF
“Racism is the use of institutional power to deny or grant people and groups of people rights, respect, representation and resources based on their skin color.” - Enid Lee
Anti-Racism: An active and consistent process of change to eliminate individual, institutional and systemic racism.
Keywords
Racialization: The process through which groups come to be socially constructed as races, based on characteristics such as race, ethnicity, language, economics, religion, culture, politics, etc.
Colonialism: The policy or practice of acquiring full or partial political control over another country, occupying it with settlers, and exploiting it economically. In the late 15th century, the British and French explored, fought over, and colonized places within North America which constitutes present day Canada.
White Privilege: The inherent advantages possessed by a white person on the basis of their race in a society characterized by racial inequality and injustice. This concept does not imply that a white person has not worked for their accomplishments but rather, that they have not faced barriers encountered by others.
Discussion questions
Are these terms different from what you thought previously? How?
Is there a common thread in all of these concepts?
What does it mean for something to be socially constructed?
Where does whiteness and white supremacy fit in?
What are the effects of racism, both physically and psychologically ?
How might racism affect people differently?
How does racism affect you? What do you stand to gain from anti-racism?
Does intention carry the same weight as impact? Why or why not?
Who gets to decide what is and isn’t racist?
Based on the definitions, is “reverse racism” possible?
How does racism differ from discrimination, or prejudice?
Systematic/institutional racism
The difference between prejudice (bias, preconceived opinion), discrimination (prejudicial treatment), and racism is that racism is systemic. That means it is a part of every one of our social systems and institutions: education, justice, employment, healthcare, etc. Each of these systems will be explored in greater depth throughout the series.
An example of prejudice: believing that Black and Indigenous people are dangerous
Discrimination: deciding not to sit next to a Black or Indigenous person on the bus, crossing the street when you see, etc.
Systemic racism: Black people being 20x more likely to be fatally shot by police in Toronto, Indigenous people making up 29% of prisoners in Canada, despite making up 4% of the population.
Microaggressions
Definition: a comment or action that subtly and often unconsciously or unintentionally expresses a prejudiced attitude toward a member of a marginalized group (such as a racial minority)
Example: “Where are you from?”, “You are so well-spoken”, “That hairstyle is unprofessional”
Why they matter: Microaggressions are important to address and understand because their impact is deep on BIPOC communities
Definition: The experience of the interconnected nature of ethnicity, race, creed, gender, socio-economic position etc., (cultural, institutional and social), and the way they are imbedded within existing systems and define how one is valued.
Example: Missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and 2 spirit people.
Why it matters: One person never occupies only one identity at a time, and a person’s relationship to one group may intersect with another group
Intersectionality
Overt vs. Covert Racism
Overt racism is racism that is clear, undeniable, that everyone sees and can agree is racist behaviour.
Unfortunately, most racism is covert, which means it is less visible but more normalized in our society. This means it is actually much more difficult to combat.
Is there anything you would add to the pyramid?
Brief history of racism in canada
Colonization, the Indian act & residential schools
Colonization was also the result of racism. White settlers believed that Indigenous peoples, who had been living on Turtle Island for millenia, and their ways of life were inferior. Therefore, they created…
The Indian Act in 1876. This law created the reserve system, which divided up families, houses and clans. It stripped people of their traditional names. It banned cultural practices and traditional ceremonies, such as Potlatches and Sun Dances, until 1951. It also introduced residential schools.
At residential schools, Indigenous youth were separated from their families and were not allowed to speak their languages, wear their traditional clothing or practice any customs. They were often abused, and their culture was belittled. It was not until 1996 when the last residential school was closed down, though the intergenerational trauma affects many Indigenous peoples to this day.
Chinese immigration act
Many others were also discriminated against based on their ethnicity.
From 1881 to 1885, over 15,000 Chinese labourers came to Canada to help construct the Canadian Pacific Railway. However, many politicians and the public in general held prejudiced opinions of Chinese people.
So, to reduce immigration from China, in 1885, the government created the Chinese Immigration Act which included a “Chinese head tax”.
This was a fixed fee charged to each Chinese person entering Canada. The fee went from $50, to $100, to $500 - equivalent to about 2 years’ salary, or the price of 2 homes.
In 1923, 38 years later, the head tax was removed because the act was changed. It now completely banned all Chinese immigrants until it was repealed in 1947. It was also known as the Chinese Exclusion Act.
Japanese - Canadian Internment
Denied entry
Despite our reputation as a welcoming nation, Canada also has a history of denying entry to those who need help:
activity
Take a moment to watch What is Privilege? (5min)
2) Complete the Identity Wheel and reflect on your privileges