“History, despite its wrenching pain / Cannot be unlived, but if faced / With courage, need not be lived again.” Racism in the 20th century is a dark chapter of Canada’s history, but it is one we cannot ignore. The 20th century marked a time of a lot of changes throughout Canada, but as a society we often forget the widespread racism Black people experienced during this time. From racist laws, to segregation and our history with slavery, Canada has faced many injustices that continue to stain our society today. The dark shadows of our past continue to influence Canada today, which makes it even more important to acknowledge. Racism against Black people in Canada in the 20th century is something that is incredibly disgraceful and should be looked …show more content…
The owner of the theatre said, “I might as well tell you. Regarding the coloured people, our audience objects very much – and I like their money as well as anyone else’s, and it is not for that I object, but the audience complains.” Daniels launched a court case against the theatre and unlike Viola Desmond, he won. Although he won his case, it does not take away from the racism that he experienced just because he wanted to watch a movie. In 1922, a Black woman named Lulu Anderson tried to buy a ticket to The Lion and the Mouse at the Metropolitan Theatre. Unlike Viola Desmond and Charles Daniels, she was denied entry before she even entered the theatre. Similar to them, the sole reason for being rejected was due to her race, something that was out of her control. People often think of Canada as a “kind” and “respectful” country, but refuse to look back on our shameful past. Canada has a history of racism, and it is important to acknowledge the mistakes we have made in order to not repeat them. For instance, in 1783 and 1785, more than 3,000 free Blacks or former enslaved people settled in Nova …show more content…
It was not until 2010 when the province of Nova Scotia finally apologized and pardoned Viola Desmond for something she should have never been arrested for in the first place. It took Viola Desmond approximately 70 years just to get the apology she deserved from the province, which is very disappointing and embarrassing for Canada. There is no doubt that racism has had a huge impact on the lives of Black people in Canada. Although racism in Canada is not as prevalent as it was in the past, it still continues to occur in our society, which is a significant problem. Racism has impacted many people, as it contributes to the generational trauma that many families experience today. It is important that we recognize what we did wrong in the past in terms of racism in Canada, so that we never make these mistakes again. If we want to move towards having a more inclusive society, we must be educated, with a thorough understanding of the events of the past. This will help us strive towards a more equitable future, where we can learn lessons from the past so that we can build more compassion for each
Toronto is a city that is simultaneously rich in its ethnic diversity, yet paradoxically finds itself constrained by its colonial heritage. This is important, as colonial representations of race pervade history across...
This case in particular is very important to all Canadians everywhere because it demonstrated the possibility of racial discrimination to occur till this very day. Even though the Crown was not able to clearly declare whether the people from Roma was what the Neo-Nazis were referring to as “Gypsies”. Also this case provides that even though there was only an accusation towards the Neo-Nazis because of the wilful promotion, the government will take matters into consideration and arrest the people who are suspected of taking part in this situation. In addition, it shows how the government will not tolerate any sort of discrimination or racism against any identifiable and/or minority group.
A Critical Analysis of Racism in Canadian Law and the “Unmapping” of the White Settler Society in “When Place Becomes Race” by Sherene H. Razack
This quotation is taken from a Hollywood film, but has a tendency to ring true in legal disputes in Canada involving minority groups. Racism as a component in the Canadian societal context has prevented the realization of truth and justice throughout history. For instance, Donald Marshall Jr. endured a wrongful conviction as a result of racism in the criminal justice system. While this dilemma has proved to be most difficult for minority groups to overcome, critical race theory, as implemented by defence lawyers in R.D.S. v. The Queen, has allowed for the realization of racism as truth in Canadian society and provides a tool for minority groups in future legal battles.
Canada did accept Jewish refugees, but before the war and they only took in 4000 Jews. Canadians were very hostile towards Jews. Anti-Semitism existed in Canada back in the 1920s-30s. There were no Jewish lawyers, teachers and professors. Many Jews hid their identities in order to get a job. Signs saying no Jews allowed were hung outside of resorts and clubs. In 1930s Canada’s immigration policy was very restrictive, only British and American immigrants were preferred. So it didn’t allow Jews to enter Canada that wanted to flee Europe. 937 Jewish passengers on the M.S. St. Louis were refused to enter Canada. Because of Canada’s wartime policies nearly 2,300 men were interned as enemy aliens in camps across Canada in between 1940-1943.Canadians did think that Jews needed help, but they thought that they should be sent to Asia or Africa. Canada thought Jews would not make good settlers. Mackenzie King also had negative views on Jews, and he also believed in Jewish stereotypes.
...nts in mind that show that Canada was not always the Human Rights Role Model that it has become during the twenty-first century. These events could be anything such as the disgraceful, and unprovoked, treatment of the Canadian-Japanese during the Second World War or the attempts to assimilate the Native Americans of Canada into Caucasian culture with the White Paper document. Even during the beginning of the twentieth century prejudices were held against immigrants, many were discriminated against and hated. With these horrendous events in mind it is amazing that a country, with such a troubled past, can possibly make up and become the Role Model for Human Rights that Canada is perceived as. These historically significant events have affected the way that Canada has developed and as such has helped to mould the country of Canada into what society knows it as.
Canada is internationally renowned for its commitment to multiculturalism. In fact, Canada was the first nation to officially adopt a multicultural policy. However, while the Canadian government has developed a broad-based multicultural mandate that includes a national human rights code and increased penalties for hate-motivated crimes, and most Canadians oppose overt forms of discrimination and hate, racism continues to exist in Canadian society, albeit in a subtle fashion.
Do you know that despite Canada being called multicultural and accepting, Canada’s history reveals many secrets that contradicts this statement? Such an example are Canadian aboriginals, who have faced many struggles by Canadian society; losing their rights, freedoms and almost, their culture. However, Native people still made many contributions to Canadian society. Despite the efforts being made to recognize aboriginals in the present day; the attitudes of European Canadians, acts of discrimination from the government, and the effects caused by the past still seen today have proven that Canadians should not be proud of Canada’s history with respect to human rights since 1914. First, is because of the attitudes of European Canadians towards aboriginals, which were mostly cruel and inhumane.
The times will never change as Canada does not directly face the problem; “problem was supposedly solved at some point in the past. The ‘real’ racism is in conflating ‘legitimate’ dislike for Indigenous peoples...with historic colonialism/racism ‘which is over.’’”(Vowel 120). This finding identifies that people think that racism is over but the progress made was not substantial to prevent racism against the Aboriginal people community. The law can not help these people, unless it was directed to Aboriginal peoples as a hate crime. People also lived in different times, continuing their past racist tendencies and teaching the new generations their actions because they focus on one perspective.
...between them and the “Others,” though after 9/11 this “innocences” of living in an harmonious world was no longer due to the actions of the ‘terrorists’ (Street, 2003). The inquiry report on racial profiling from OHRC was serving a purpose to demonstrate anti-hegemony which delineates as the refusal to give permission to all that is wrong, encourage the knowledge of different cultures, and oppose to a single powerful group from ruling the system (Stand, 2014). Informing Canadian’s on racial profiling is a great start to raising consciousness, however knowledge is not everything. Knowledge without answers is only awareness and in order to change racial profiling individuals need direction. Perhaps OHRC could present a new report with answers to end racial profiling or at least where to begin, because with proper guidance racial profiling can be modified and destroyed.
The Indian Residential schools and the assimilating of First Nations people are more than a dark spot in Canada’s history. It was a time of racist leaders, bigoted white men who saw no point in working towards a lasting relationship with ingenious people. Recognition of these past mistakes, denunciation, and prevention steps must be taking intensively. They must be held to the same standard that we hold our current government to today. Without that standard, there is no moving forward. There is no bright future for Canada if we allow these injustices to be swept aside, leaving room for similar mistakes to be made again. We must apply our standards whatever century it was, is, or will be to rebuild trust between peoples, to never allow the abuse to be repeated, and to become the great nation we dream ourselves to be,
Systemic discrimination has been a part of Canada’s past. Women, racial and ethnic minorities as well as First Nations people have all faced discrimination in Canada. Policies such as, Charter of Rights and Freedoms, provincial and federal Human Rights Codes, as well has various employment equity programs have been placed in Canada’s constitution to fight and address discrimination issues. Despite these key documents placed for universal rights and freedoms Aboriginal and other minority populations in Canada continue to be discriminated against. Many believe there is no discrimination in Canada, and suggest any lack of success of these groups is a result of personal decisions and not systemic discrimination. While others feel that the legislation and equality policies have yet resulted in an equal society for all minorities. Racism is immersed in Canadian society; this is clearly shown by stories of racial profiling in law enforcement.
Neylan (2013) suggests that the Aboriginal women of Vancouver have perhaps experienced a similar and lingering attitude to those of the colonists. As well, it seems the Canadian justice system has also retained some of the same cruel and biased ideologies as its earlier colonialists. Neylan identifies a parallel here, explaining both colonists and the current justice system treat natives in a demeaning manner, disregarding the value of human life because of an indigenous lab...
Citizens all over the globe argue if abortion should be considered legal, even though all states in America already allow it, hence the Roe V. Wade case. Others think it should be withheld and be considered illegal. Although the case was held a long time ago, people still bring it up today. Arguably, I believe that abortion should be illegal in most, if not all, states of the world.
Systemic racism has been embedded within society for years, destroying the promise of equality for all. The lack of access to resources is an example of systemic racism, where laws and policies put certain racial groups at a disadvantage. The novel, How It Went Down by Kekla Magoon and the article “Systemic racism in Yukon’s education system under review” by Dana Hatherly, both address racism through government systems. Since racism continues to affect marginalized racial groups by creating barriers, it is crucial to provide access to resources through government systems, such as education and policing. Police are a service that is appointed to serve and protect the community.