The Canadian State as a Racist Political Culture

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer discusses that in Canada in the early 21st century there is the widespread belief that racism is largely a concern of other countries given such state policies as multiculturalism. This being said, this essay argues, through the critical examination of scholarly texts on the subject, that, in fact, the development of Canada as a racist political culture defines the fundamental institutions of the Canadian state to the present day. The writer maintains that when Canada is considered in terms of its historical development, in terms of its policy making - as in the case of multiculturalism - or in terms of its political culture manifested in the mass media and the economy, there exists overwhelmingly evidence in support of the contention that Canada is a fundamentally racist political culture.

From the Paper:

"Consider, for example, the unrest that has often erupted in Canada between Aboriginals and the government/land developers who are seeking to build on sacred Aboriginal lands. Even if we set aside the issue that all of the North American continent itself originally belonged to the ancestors of these Aboriginals, the fact that it has been so difficult for these First Nations to enforce their treaty rights through the courts that they must resort to peaceful civil disobedience is evidence of the radical inequality in the Canadian social, political and economic systems. Indeed, as the conflicts years ago at Akwasasne and Oka, dissent and civil disruption appear to be the only way that marginalized populations can make their case in the public arena given that they are effectively dispossessed."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Case, Frederick Ivor. Racism and National Consciousness. Toronto: Other Eye, 2002.
• Fanon, Frantz. Black Skin, White Masks. Trans. Charles Lam Markmann. New York: Grove Press, 1967.
• Henry, Frances and Tator, Carol. The Colour of Democracy: Racism in Canadian Society Third Edition. Toronto: Nelson Thomson, 2005.
• Itwaru, Arnold Harrichand and Ksonzek, Natasha. Closed Entrances: Canadian Culture and Imperialism. Toronto: TSAR, 1994.

More papers on The Canadian State as a Racist Political Culture:

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• Argumentative Essay # 143226 : "Canadian Federalism as a Governing Model"

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