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Poverty and homelessness in canada essay
Canadian multiculturalism: global anxieties and local debate
Effect of multiculturalism in canada
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Do you believe that because Canada is a multicultural society that there is no racism? While the idea of inclusion and buried racism is what one might hope for, the realities of Canada’s national policy when experienced is quiet opposite than the messages expressed though text and other media outlets. Canada is suppose to be a multicultural society which includes all races and cultural backgrounds, everyone is suppose to be included and accepted in our group instead there are instances of discrimination and marginalization to certain racialized groups that have entered Canada the land that is promised to be of freedom and inclusion for all. Multiculturalism is a fundamental characteristic of the Canadian heritage and identity it is what fills our national center. (Harmony 2014). Multiculturalism has been a good policy designed to give people a great impression of our country yet: The Novels Indian Horse (2012) by Richard Wagamese and Obasan (1981) by Joy Kogawa portrays acts of violence, terror, exclusion and hardship. It is observed through reading and analysis that Racism is a never-ending struggle that people of minority backgrounds who immigrate to the land of the free have to endure. Finally, Racism stifles and affects everyone negatively who is an immigrant in the Canadian society; multiculturalism is only a façade which serves to cover up the root of the problem.
Marginalization based on racism affected Saul and Naomi in a way where they were excluded and pushed to the margins of society. They weren’t the only ones who experience such marginality; their families were also affected negatively due to this racism. To make clear. “Marginalization is to relegate or confine to a lower or outer limit or edge, as of s...
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...am are made to feel as outsiders looking in, into a culture they belong to they have become almost invisible to playing this game.
Further, when Saul joins the Toronto Marilee’s, he is seen to be excluded by even his fellow team mates, when he sits on the bench there is a space between them and even though the space isn’t wide, that’s enough for him to know he’s not a part of the team. “
“ When I refused to retaliate, my teammates started leaving a space around me on the bench. I sat alone in a territory of emptiness, eight inches on either side of me announcing to everyone that I was different, that I was nor welcome even among my own.” (Wagamese 164). So it is in the Canadian society someone like Saul is not welcomed in a culture that fosters multiculturalism, equality and inclusion for all. All there is racism, hardship and violence at that point in history.
Throughout the book, Saul had a very close relationship with Father Laboutiller, he was the one who introduced Saul and the “Indian boys” to the game of hockey. In my opinion Chapter 15 was one of the most pivotal chapters in the book, it was the time Father Laboutiller and Saul first spoke with each other. Saul was sitting on the steps when Father L approached him and asked if he ever played hockey; Saul reluctantly replied saying no and that he doesn’t like games. In the book Saul says that Father Laboutiller “reached out and rubbed [his] hair […] 'we need to get you outside to watch. I guarantee you'll love it.' [he said]”(Wagamese, 57). This is a very intimate moment in the story and it not only was the start of something amazing; but, it showed a true connection and a 'meaningful' relationship. Their
I became a brother”(86) is a clear confession of found identity which accompanies him throughout the book. Saul not only desires to find himself, but also tries to preserve his culture and stick to his true roots by calling himself an “Ojibway”. His remarkable hockey abilities allowed him to receive better opportunities which consequently led him into achieving a better lifestyle. We can say, at this point, that hockey involuntarily improved Saul’s independence and connection with the outside society as well as with members of his own culture, but despite the obvious benefit of freedom, his mental well being was continuously hindered by other hockey players since the beginning of his
The Kellys are not only Saul’s adoptive family but are also a source of support. When Saul lives with the Kellys, the importance of having a support system like them does not dawn upon him because of his fear of forming relationships. Consequently, Saul decides to leave the Kellys because he believes that his self-imposed exile can be beneficial for him. Saul believes that if he detaches himself from human interaction, it will impede any further suffering. Saul states, “feels like I’ve had enough noise and people for a while” (Wagamese 178). Delving into his past is mandatory for Saul to write his story because in order for readers to understand his present state, they must know the events that have transpired beforehand. When Saul looks back on the past he is able to see what decisions and actions have benefited him and which have not. For example, Saul is able to realize that every time he distanced himself from others, he only suffered more. This revelation makes Saul understand that despite his past negative experiences with individuals whom he trusted in the past, he should not completely deprive himself of human interaction. Saul returns to the Kelly’s and no longer fears to show his vulnerable side with them. Saul’s return is proof of him understanding that giving his pain a voice and having other people listen is what will allow him to trek through the pain of the past and the pain that future adversities could cause. Writing his story not only serves Saul to consider the lesson he can learn from living in isolation but also provides First Nations individuals with a lesson on how to deal with
... presence of religious diversity amongst the multiculturalist scene, multiculturalism and its relationships to ethnocultureal minorities, Quebec’s reasonable accommodation as well as the overlap of Aboriginal and multiculturalism issues, require research and development. This speak volumes about Banting and Kymlicka, as it places their work on a larger spectrum that will one day be surrounded by other impressive works that may compliment or challenge their findings. Canadian multiculturalism is completely different than what takes place in different countries. It goes without saying that not every picture can be painted with the same type of brush because the world is not full of the same picture that has a white washed idealized understanding. With that being said, the problems in other countries are not inherent to the multiculturalism picture in other countries.
The fighting is ignited by the racism he faces, leading him into a downward spiral of negativity. Saul quits the Marlboros and starts drinking; drinking to forget the nightmares he lived through. He constantly travels from a place to another, changing jobs, feeling lost and vacant. Saul feels vacant because of losing all that he had, his family and his beloved hockey. He is left with nothing to turn to and seek comfort in, except alcohol which he ironically tells the reader that it kills him: “The first thing you have to realize is that what you need to survive is killing you”(189). Saul works hard with his counselor Moses to regain himself and get back on his feet: he quits drinking and focuses on his rehabilitation. Saul tells Moses that he is ready to leave The New Dawn Centre, he travels back to places he grew up in, like God’s Lake, St.Jerome’s, and finally he ends up back at the Kellys’ place: “When Fred Kelly opened it, his face cracked into a wide grin”(208). It is obvious to the reader that Fred likes Saul, and that he is happy to see him again after a long period of time. Saul, Martha, and Fred sit down and talk about what happened at the school, they share their pasts and the horror they went through. Sharing very sensitive and horrific memories tells the reader that Saul trusts and feels comfortable with the Kellys, the main reason for his return. Fred tells Saul that the Moose need a coach and Saul
Throughout the novel, racism is a major issue surrounding the indigenous people. When Saul starts playing hockey, he notices that he is very good at it. He ends up getting one good hockey team which means he can leave the residential school. One on of his first days playing with the team the other players say “ the Indian school brought their mascot. Is he a squirt? Nah. He's a dribbler.” (74-75) This shows the disrespect that everyone shows towards indigenous people because they are conditioned by society to believe that indigenous people are less human than them. Another example of racism is when Saul is playing hockey, the comments that the fans yell during the tournament such as “ Indian whores, horse piss, stolen pony. Elbows and knees constantly flying at me. I couldn't play a shift that didn't include some kind of cheap shot, threat or curse.” (164) This shows how aggressive the fans were towards Saul and other indigenous people. When he played in tournaments there were other racist comments such as “white ice, white men” when First Nations players were playing they were judged on their race not on how they play. This makes Saul start to not enjoy the game anymore, he starts abusing alcohol because he feels like he is nothing now, he doesn't have any family and doesn't enjoy hockey, he feels worthless which now results in his turning to drugs and alcohol. There were discussions in class about the myths and truths about indigenous people like how all indigenous people abuse alcohol and how all indigenous people are minority and don't deserve the same respect as everyone else. Saul experiences this frequently when he is playing on a team where he's the only indigenous
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.
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.
At some point in life, every individual has been treated like an outsider. It occurs
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.
Saul is so determined to learn the new sport, he teaches himself the techniques by “[waking] up before everyone woke up, and [would] [pull] on [his] skates, and [would start] to skate around on the ice”. Saul would even “get out of bed and stand in the aisle between the rows of cots, where the moonlight made the linoleum look like ice and mimic the motion of stickhandling” (Wagamese 60-62). Saul’s continuous practice displays his eagerness. Stating that Saul practices under the “moonlight” is a form of symbolism displaying Saul’s desire and willingness to learn is like the moon light itself, eternal and pure. Also similar to the several parts of a “linoleum”, there are several aspects of hockey which Saul must still learn. Despite the improper hockey gear available, Saul moves forward with great passion. When there were no hockey pucks available to practice, Saul would “run to the barn for a handful of the frozen horse turds [he’d] buried beside the door, and [he would] carry them back to the rink and drop them at one end. Then [he’d] take the stick and nudge the turd out of the heap and practice moving it back and forth” (60). Saul
As an Indigenous hockey player, Saul receives many stereotypes. He gets criticism from the racist views of the journalists, audience, and hockey players. When Saul see’s the many headlines on newspapers about him, people yelling at him, and playing
To begin with, the role of Critical Race Theory provides us with the idea of “racial realism”, the idea that racism, the normalcy of white supremacy is part of the everyday life of an ‘other’, in other words, racial or indigenous minorities in Canada (Slides on Critical Race Theory). The Critical Race Theory gives an understanding of the power that can be given to a definition such as ‘race’, and how
Racial discrimination in the workplace has been a persistent theme in Canada’s history as well as present-day times. The occurrence of actions and attitudes that impose a sense of one being less equal than another on the basis of one’s race in Canada’s workplace inhibits both our nation’s ability to move forward as well as strengthen unification within our country. The belief in a more egalitarian society, where one’s race and ethnic background have little to no impact on employees (or potential employees) standings within the job market, would seemingly be reinforced by the majority of Canadians, who consistently show support for Canada’s multicultural identity. Couple that with the noticeable strides Canada has made in the past several decades through legislation, in order to eliminate discriminatory practices and actions within the workplace, and one would likely assume that racial discrimination within the workplace is largely a concern of the past. However, current research supports the argument that the level of which racial discrimination occurs today is increasing, and as such it persists to be a key problem in the current workplace of the nation. In the workplace, racial discrimination is often seen with regard to uneven access to jobs, unfair selection and promotion criteria (as well as access to the means in order to meet this criteria), and workplace harassment. This paper compares similar findings of two articles; the first, Racial inequality in employment in Canada, as was published in the Canadian Public Administration (CPA), and the second, What Are Immigrants’ Experiences of Discrimination in the Workplace?, published by the Toronto Immigrant Employment Data Initiative (TIEDI).
Racism refers to the practices, actions, beliefs and practices that consider people who are affiliated to different races as being ranked inherently superior or inferior to others. This assumption or belief is mainly based on the presumed shared inheritable abilities, traits, or qualities. Racial discrimination has been termed as a major vice in the employment industry where members from different racial backgrounds are treated differently regardless of their abilities, qualities, or traits. Canada has been one of the worst affected territories where the workplace discrimination has dominated in the last century. There have been several empirical studies that have been developed in an effort to evaluate whether the racial discrimination in the workplace is reducing in any way. In order to investigate this topic, we shall consider two scholarly materials that will include “Racial inequality in employment in Canada” and “An Examination of Factors Affecting Perception of Workplace Discrimination”.