Race+and+Racialization

Book Information

  • Title: Walk A Mile: A Journey Towards Justice and Equity in Canadian Society

  • Authors: Theresa Anzovino, Jamie Oresar, Deborah Boutilier

  • Edition: Second Edition

  • Contributors: Yale Belanger (University of Lethbridge), Samah Marei (Niagara College)

  • Publisher: Nelson Education Ltd.

  • Copyright: © 2019, 2015

Chapter Overview: Race and Racialization

Introduction

  • Quote by Black Eyed Peas highlights the dangers of racial favoritism: "But if you only have love for your own race, then you only leave space to discriminate."

Learning Outcomes

By mastering this unit, students will:

  • Describe racism as a hierarchical system of power and privilege

  • Address racism in the context of Canada’s history and present reality

  • Differentiate among forms of racism by recognizing practices, ideologies, and social relations

  • Reflect on personal experiences of racialized privilege and oppression

Historical Context of Race

  • Race: No longer recognized biologically; evolves from European domination and categorization of non-white individuals based on physical characteristics.

  • Concept refers to the social construction of racialization, focusing on societal perceptions and the marginalization of different groups.

  • Racialization: The social process of assigning racial identities and typically involves unequal treatment based on race.

Racialized Groups

  • Identification as "racialized persons" instead of outdated terms like "visible minority".

  • Racism: The belief that one race is inherently superior to others, often justified through historical atrocities.

Forms of Racism

  1. Individual Racism: Overt expressions of racial bias or discriminatory behavior against an individual or group.

  2. Institutional Racism: Embedded in policies and practices of institutions that disadvantage racialized groups.

  3. Societal Racism: The framework of ideas, images, and institutions shaping societal interactions and opportunities based on race.

Representational Racism

  • Involves the portrayal of racialized groups through stereotypes, leading to a cycle of discrimination in media and discourse.

Systemic Racism and Discrimination

  • Acknowledge the systemic roots and operational levels of racism, highlighting how society's structures support racial inequality.

Case Studies and Examples

  1. Racial Profiling: Instances highlight disparities in treatment; for example, differences in police encounters for racialized individuals versus white individuals.

  2. Employment and Education: Racialized individuals often experience reduced opportunities in hiring and academic success compared to their white counterparts.

  3. Public Conversations: The need for dialogues surrounding race and racism to understand and combat these issues in society.

Ending Thoughts

  • The chapter emphasizes the importance of recognizing and deconstructing the myths surrounding race and racism to pursue justice and equity.

Discussion Questions

  1. Discuss how the ideology of racism has shaped systemic inequities in Canada.

  2. Identify instances of personal experience with racial privilege and oppression.

  3. Consider the impact of historical events such as the internment of Japanese Canadians or the Indian Residential Schools on today’s perceptions of race.