Critical Analysis: Racism in Canada, Residential Schools, and More

This essay provides a reading response to the question of whether racism still exists in Canadian society, addressing the subtle forms it takes despite Canada's multicultural image. It delves into the Indian Act of 1876 and the goals of residential schools, highlighting their negative consequences, including cultural destruction, child abuse, and long-term trauma for Indigenous communities. The essay also explores who benefits from racism, the harm caused by stereotypes, and the challenges to achieving true multiculturalism in Canada, referencing Neil Bissoondath's definition of racism as rooted in willful ignorance and acceptance of stereotypes. The analysis concludes that despite governmental efforts, a strong racist attitude persists, negatively stereotyping people of color, indicating that Canada has a considerable distance to travel before it can genuinely claim to be a multicultural society.

RACISM IN CANADA – READING RESPONSE
Does racism still exist in Canadian society?
Canada today is a melting pot, assimilating different cultures from all parts of the
world. However, the society is far from perfect, with the ugly face of racism rising up again
and again. Although racism is not shown blatantly, it still exists in subtle forms, in the
people’s behaviour, prejudices, and attitudes towards people of other races (Geddes, 2005).
However, the conditions are seen to be improving, mostly amongst the younger generation
(CBC News: The National, 2014).
What is the Indian Act? What was the goal of the residential schools?
The Indian Act, which was passed in 1876, was a law wherein the indigenous people
known as the “Indians” had to give up their indigenous status to merge with the Canadian
society (Lavoie, Forget, & Annette, 2010). The residential schools were educational
institutions for the indigenous people, where the children were removed from the influence of
their own culture, and adopt the “Christian” culture of Canada. These schools focused on
enfranchising the indigenous children.
What are some of the negative consequences associated to residential schools?
First of all, the residential schools were rampant in destroying the indigenous culture
and spreading of the western cultural imperialism, thus causing a cultural homogenization.
The children were separated from their parents, sexually abused, and even murdered, causing
increased childhood trauma and subsequent juvenile delinquency. The residential schools
caused an irreversible damage to the indigenous community, reiterating the fact that they
were powerless under the rule of the “white, male, Christian” authority (Carr, 2017).
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Who or whom benefits from racism?
Racism ideally works in favor of the whites, as there is a lot of negativity associated
with the people with colored skin. The results of a survey showed when given a choice to
view two people, one white and the other colored, the white person gets more views by an
average Canadian (CBC News: The National, 2014). White privilege also extends itself to
treating the people with colored skin differently, and getting away with it.
Why are stereotypes harmful?
The stereotypical depiction of a colored person has been so deeply rooted in the minds
of many white people that it is difficult for them to see beyond the stereotypes (Geddes,
2005). Stereotypes make the people with colored skin the butt of jokes and hatred, and have
led to them being at the receiving end of many social injustices such as being a constant
criminal suspect, or being singled out just because they are colored (Bissoondath, 1989).
What is multiculturalism? Do you believe Canada is truly a multicultural society? Why
or why not?
Multiculturalism is essentially the opposite of cultural homogenization, wherein many
cultures co-exist peacefully. Unfortunately, Canada has a long way to go before it can be a
true multicultural society, even though it looks all rosy on the outside. One of the main
reasons is that the hegemony of “white pride” still dominates over the immigrants and even
its own indigenous people. Developing an open mind to accept all cultures can change the
unfortunate situation.
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What is Neil Bissoondath’s definition of racism?
Neil Bissoondath defines racism as – “True racism is based, more often than not, on
willful ignorance, and an acceptance of and comfort with stereotype” and says that “racism is
as Canadian as maple syrup”. He also says that underneath the superficial show of
multiculturalism by the governmental programs of Canada, there does exist a very strong
racist attitude in the people, which negatively stereotypes the people of colored skin
(Bissoondath, 1989).
REFERENCES
Bissoondath, N. (1989). "Im Not a Racist, But...". Canada.
Carr, P. (2017). Whiteness and White Privilege: Problematizing Race and Racism in a
“Color-blind” World and in Education. International Journal of Critical Pedagogy ,
871-889.
CBC News: The National. (2014, November 12). Our Canada: Are We Racist? Retrieved
September 30, 2018, from YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=8ET8KyiY_Nc&feature=youtu.be
Geddes, C. (2005). Growing Up Native. Canadian.
Lavoie, J., Forget, E., & Annette, J. (2010). Caught at the crossroad: First Nations, health
care, and the legacy of the Indian Act. Pimatisiwin: A Journal of Aboriginal and
Indigenous Community Health , 83-100.
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