Racism in Canada

Racism in Canada as a social problem

            Over the years, racism has posed dynamism in the societal understanding. It has been an issue that involves everybody in relation to religion, color of the skin and other factors. According to (Van, 2015), racism is a belief that a particular race pose inherent superiority compared to other race. In historical approach, racism has been used considered as white man’s moral duty (a tool used by the white man to deny blacks access of certain facilities). However, a research conducted has deduced that individuals face racism in their social systems via control of power by the white majority.  Different forms of racism assumes that different races cannot coexist similarly in any society. Therefore, racism exists where a certain group seeks to eliminate or exclude others on based on the differences that are hereditary.

Scope of the problem

                 Racism is associated to a hatred phenomenon. Hatred phenomenon is an act subjected against the people due to the victimized race. For instance, hatred phenomenon have been evidenced in the instances of passage of offensive materials such as hate graffiti or flyers in the public places. Racism actions have been described as daily course but some are worse than others. Canada has posed a history of hatred motivated violence toward ethnic and racial minorities. For instance, in the early 19^th century, Chinese and Japanese communities were attacked by a mob of whites causing several fatalities and damage of stores. In the 1970, the South Asian Community were subjected to series of subway attacks which claimed lives of less than 100 individuals (Henry et al, 2010).

As a social problem

               In most cases, the situation is characterized as a social problem when majority in the society agree about the existence of the condition, posing threats to quality of life to specific individuals and cherishes their most values. Ideally, it is when they agree about an affirmative action to remedy it. On daily basis, different people experiences exclusion, insults and physical attacks. Racism also attacks individuals with certain religious beliefs and values such as prejudice against the Jews. Eventually, the society have agreed to a forth consensus that mitigated measures should be endorsed in prevention and eradication of racism. Different programs have been developed in hopes of accomplishing these mission on racism. Moreover, we pose democratic system of governance where we believe on equality thus proofs of racism confirms we do not live on that ideal (Fredrickson, 2015).

Widespread

                In recent report released by the United Nations, racial discrimination and racism has confirmed to be on rise globally affecting the immigrants. Racism has been increasing due to diverse factors. In reference to (Backhouse, 1999), racism ideologies in Canada has greatly spread in recent years via modern technologies especially the internet. Recent statistics have confirmed increase of websites used to peddle hatred on blacks, Arabs and Jews. In Canada, media has been involved in peddling negatives images upon the Arabs and Muslims where they identify them as terrorist. United States of America faced a terror attack on 9/11 which has significantly influenced the rise racism in globe including Canada thus marking the anatomy the current situation upon the racism.

Who is affected?

              Obviously, the most affected from racism in Canada are minority groups especially the blacks and the Arabs. They are affected directly or indirectly. In direct approach, minorities are subjected to hate crimes. More recently (Satzewich, 2011), black teenagers in Canada decide s to drop out school in fear of being jobless after completion. In sub way stations, a white taxi driver tends not to pick black individual due to hatred. A research conducted has confirmed that black students performs poorly in their academics as a result of negative attitudes from the teachers which results to low self-esteem in their performances. In indirect approach, some children are exposed to poverty due to their parent experience with racism. It is clear that some people lacks certain opportunities in life due to their forefather’s subjection to racial segregation as well as the discrimination. However, not only the minority groups suffering from racism but also the white individuals who suffers when responding to blames on affirmative actions on unemployment.

       Racism affects minority groups in Canada in almost every aspect in their lifetime. For instance, the minority group suffers from fierce in the place they want to reside due to pressure from their neighbors who might disapprove their wish despite having the opportunity of purchasing or renting a house. They never switch their television and find their people of their race presentation. In a business perspective, minority groups lacks foodstuffs in supermarkets that suits their cultural traditions as well as hair dressers shops where they could access the service of haircut. If they opt second hand material, they are blamed for ‘their poverty’, ‘illiteracy’ and ‘the poverty’ of their race.

          Ironically, in case of excellence in the challenging situation, they are rarely credited for their race. In most cases even in the administration sector they are rarely presented hence their issues are less presented thus inducing demoralization and lowering their self-esteem. According to (Cannon, 1995), minority groups in Canada are never sure in trust of services such as medical, legal and codes of ethics in their work places since they believe that they are not meant to suit them. Therefore, racism affects minority groups in Canada in every point of their life. Different researchers have concluded that, racism is the source of depression to some minority groups hence negatively impacting their psychological and physical well-being (Dua et al, 2005).

            However, despite racism has been the order of the day, it has recently been described as the social problem. The Canadian bill of right was enacted in 1960 via declaration of Canada existence free from any discrimination such as color, race, gender, natural origin and religion. Before 1960, racial discrimination and racism was accepted and even incorporated in some scenarios (Gosine et al, 2008). It is clearly that, the only individuals who viewed racism as unethical were the minority groups. Individuals who experienced the effects racisms first were the non-racist. Individuals express different views concerning racial discrimination and racism, some said it was not a problem and expressed their satisfaction with the ideology.

        In reference to (Roman, 2013), the existing attitude toward racism in the current society remains unclear. It is obviously true that the racism in Canada exists and in the current situation might even be worse than the past thus affecting how we work and live in our daily chores. In the late 19^th century, a study conducted confirmed that, during an interview processes white applicants are highly prioritized regardless the qualification in relation to black individuals. As per the statistics, it is very sad for racism to account the loss of over 50 million lives over the last century despite the progress and advancement of science, culture and technology. In today’s perspective, most Canadian’s defines racism as a sociological problem while others thinks racism is a past problem and is rarely. It’s only the minority groups who are victims of physical, verbal, and emotional abuse (May, 1999).

           In conclusion, sociologist and non-racist have considered racism to be an obsolete problem as its traits fits under social problems characteristics and social workers globally have been working in hopes of eradicating and preventing racial discrimination and racism. In a personal approach, the attempts to end racism in the world seem to have failed over the last years. Vulnerable groups continues to be traumatized in exposure of the racism and the problem worsens in extent of hereditary. I think the only way to fight racism is actualization of the essence of humanity despite the differences exhibited by different individuals across the globe. Understanding and appreciating multicultural architecture of the world would at least provide the solution. In addition, most individuals are ignorant in response to racism and tends to ignore the facts and accepting what they believe is the truth. Therefore, education at different levels is also an effective tool to fight racism. I believe racism is not part of human nature and together we can find a final solution.

References

Backhouse, C. (1999). Colour-coded: A legal history of racism in Canada, 1900-1950. University of Toronto Press.

Cannon, M. (1995). The invisible empire: Racism in Canada. Random House Canada.

Dua, E., Razack, N., & Warner, J. N. (2005). Race, racism, and empire: Reflections on Canada. Social Justice, 32(4 (102), 1-10.

Fredrickson, G. M. (2015). Racism: A short history. Princeton University Press.

Gosine, A., & Teelucksingh, C. (2008). Environmental justice and racism in Canada: An introduction. Emond Montgomery Publications Limited.

Henry, F., Rees, T., & Tator, C. (2010). The colour of democracy: Racism in Canadian society. Nelson Education.

May, S. (Ed.). (1999). Critical multiculturalism: Rethinking multicultural and antiracist education. Psychology Press.

Roman, L. G. (2013). Empires, Emigrés, and Aliens: Young People’s Negotiations of Official and Popular Racism in Canada. Dangerous territories: Struggles for difference and equality in education, 205.

Satzewich, V. (2011). Racism in Canada. Oxford University Press.

Van Dijk, T. A. (2015). Racism and the Press (Vol. 5). Routledge.