Are Canadians are less racist than Americans, and are they also more sensitive to it? (construction, schools)
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We're talking about Racial profiling, systemic Racism in the Canadian Criminal Justice System, in Canadian hiring practices, disparities in education and even healthcare.
Exactly! One could even make an argument that this form or racism is the most dangerous as well, because it has a direct effect on a person's livelihood.
It is all a question of where you live. The ones that have not seen it are not "ignoring the issue" - logic would dictate that until people become aware of something/are exposed to it, they can hardly be accused of ignoring it. And if you don't live in an area where racism rears its ugly head, you'll have a hard time jumping on a bandwagon to combat it, or for that matter, to turning a blind eye. Just as you aren't thinking about or campaigning for poor children in Africa, nor do you even think of them, until a World Vision commercial comes on the television and educates you.
I agree with what you are saying in principle and can accept that argument.
My issue is that why should people need to see this racism first hand to know it exists? Does that not show that Canadian society in general is lacking visible minority voices, literature, political organizations, etc..to educate people on these issues? It also emphasizes why it is important that we start teaching black history in Canadian schools as a part of the standard curriculum, especially since Blacks have been a part of Canadian society since the 1600's.
There are people in the US, especially those of a younger generation that may have gone their whole lives without experiencing overt racism, but they know that it exists in their country. The reason for this is that it is a part of the National narrative and people are forced to confront these realities.
I agree with what you are saying in principle and can accept that argument.
My issue is that why should people need to see this racism first hand to know it exists? Does that not show that Canadian society in general is lacking visible minority voices, literature, political organizations, etc..to educate people on these issues? It also emphasizes why it is important that we start teaching black history in Canadian schools as a part of the standard curriculum, especially since Blacks have been a part of Canadian society since the 1600's.
There are people in the US, especially those of a younger generation that may have gone their whole lives without experiencing overt racism, but they know that it exists in their country. The reason for this is that it is a part of the National narrative and people are forced to confront these realities.
Completely agree with you on all points. The issues need to be in the media more and Black history certainly should be part of standard curriculum across Canada.
I think it's important to point out that a lot of the racism in the US isn't some 1-dimensional whites vs. blacks thing. Especially when you get to younger age groups it's not infrequent that it occurs BETWEEN minority groups.
Also note that be more open and transparant about a problem doesn't mean it's a bigger problem in place A than in place B. France has notorious hidden racism but since they don't track a lot of that stuff......sweep sweep sweep.....no problem here.
Oh, and the PM of the UK once said Collin Powell could not have reached such heights in the UK due to various social rigidity.
Another way of making my point would be to say Japan (which is a horribly racist country) doesn't have a racism problem because it's 97% Japanese. There are few countries with the racial diversity of the US.
I Still i haven't seen any case of racism here around my place. People are from different places and religions. Local people are also quite humorous. So helpful.
People can be from different places, be humorous and helpful...and still be racist!
Racial demographics of a student body? Personally I think that is a rather repugnant idea.
it's not at all repugnant if you put yourself in the shoes of a minority who maybe grew up in a racist area & given a hard time, and would like the pertinent info to be aware of a college that is demographically most appropriate for their own personal comfort level. there is always more than one side of looking at things.
it's not at all repugnant if you put yourself in the shoes of a minority who maybe grew up in a racist area & given a hard time, and would like the pertinent info to be aware of a college that is demographically most appropriate for their own personal comfort level. there is always more than one side of looking at things.
You also cant ignore the main reason why these statistics are compiled, because of Affirmative Action. Whether you agree with the policy or not, it exists and the only way to enforce the law is to keep track of race statistics.
As is the history about the Metis, Chinese, Ukrainians, First Nations, Japanese, Sikhs, Jewish, French, Scottish, Mennonites, Russians, Spanish, British, etc., etc., etc. and all the other Canadian people who have made up Canadian history.
There isn't any one diaspora (or skin color) that is more special or merits more exclusive attention in history than any other one diaspora. Nobody gets left out but nobody is more important than anyone else, no matter who they are.
It's all there as part of standard curriculum, it's called "Canadian" history as a whole and that history starts getting taught in elementary school, as does the history, social sciences and geography of all other people in all other parts of the world. Canadian history doesn't get segregated and divided up and then told in seperate chapters in accordance with the color of people's skin or their place of ethnic origin. Canadian history is taught chronologically and if the events of a certain time and place in Canadian history involve the actions of specific ethnic groups then their history is told in chronological order along with the rest of Canadian history.
Perhaps school curriculums have now changed in the past 60 years but I remember being taught about all those things when I was in elementary and high school.
Zoisite. It is not. Just because it is taught in some schools and classes, does not mean it is legislated to be a standard part of the curriculum. Why do you think they have approved 2 Afrocentric Schools in the GTA? (Toronto approves 2nd Africentric school - Toronto - CBC News)
When you were taught about Black History as part of your "Canadian" history class. What time period did it begin according to the text books? That is the issue many of us have with what is taught.
...My issue is that why should people need to see this racism first hand to know it exists? Does that not show that Canadian society in general is lacking visible minority voices, literature, political organizations, etc......
It isn't lacking. They are there and visible and have a voice in Canadian society. Perhaps you just haven't looked for them or have closed your own eyes to the evidence of them.
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