Canada and an African American in the White House
Thu, 2008-06-05 07:41
#1
Canada and an African American in the White House
Thu, 2008-06-05 07:41
#2
Not that it should be assumed he will get there.
But what could this mean to Canadians looking at race in Canada? More specifically: is there an opportunity here, and how to use it.
Three big obstacles I see in making the leap:
** It is in the US.
** The black/white thing is emblematic of race relations in general in the US, in the way it is not in Canada.
** White Canadians don't ever think about race relations. Do we have those here? Or at least, do we have anything you would talk about anything like the way one talks about race in the USA?
Off the top of my head: the last obstacle also strikes me as being the opporunity. With the visibility of race in the USA, to talk about how Canada is essentially the same.
But I am also strongly opposed, not least because of the futility, to lecturing people about ANYTHING in the public space.
So the question becomes HOW to raise those big questions.
[ 05 June 2008: Message edited by: KenS ]
Thu, 2008-06-05 14:54
#3
Le T
Are you talking about "discussing" race in the MSM like it is in the US? or in dominant culture?
Many discussions of racism are happening in Canada, regardless of what happens in the US election.
With what is currently happening in Ontario between Indigenous Peoples and settler society an imported sense of "racial analysis" (or whatever you want to call what is going on in the States) has proved in many cases harmful. People use the rhetoric of anti-segregation to distort the relationship between Indigenous Peoples and settlers and Gary what's-his-face uses MLK quotes to support white-supremacism and colonialism.
I guess what I mean to say is that I don't understand what you are asking or suggesting.
Thu, 2008-06-05 15:18
#4
I'm not suggesting anything in particular.
What you suggest for consideration is as good for fodder as anything else.
I guess I think in terms of how to make race and racism concrete for people, and how to challenge them without hitting the automatic turn-off buttons for at least 50% of the population.
It does strike me that the place to start is Canada and First Nations people. Both for the particualr importance, and because it is concrete for just about everybody.
And the goal would be pushing the envelope towards a recognition that Canada owes First Nations. [I would characterise where we are now as more like "we have to do something".]
Important as that is, it might be problematic for also seeing it as a means to get Canadians to look at racism in general. Because owing First Nations has rapped up in it aboriginal entitlement. A fuller and more willing acceptance of aboriginal rights does not necessarily mean coming to terms with racism.
Nor am I going to assume there is a consensus among First Nations people that addressing aboriginal rights and addressing racism together is a good thing.
Thu, 2008-06-05 16:11
#5
Le T
I think racism is very concrete for many Canadians.
You seem to be asking about how to get white people to acknowledge racism.
I would suggest that maybe thinking about Canada as one society, or Canadians as one people, might be an impediment.
I still don't understand the Obama connection.
Fri, 2008-06-06 04:07
#6
quote:
I think racism is very concrete for many Canadians.You seem to be asking about how to get white people to acknowledge racism.
I would suggest that maybe thinking about Canada as one society, or Canadians as one people, might be an impediment.
I still don't understand the Obama connection.
"For many Canadians" isn't good enough.
And it is about getting white people to acknowledge racism... but the HOW part is how you get there. We definitely don't get there with a big sign that says "Now We ARE Going toTalk About White Racism."
So the trick is to challenge without doing that.
To challenge all Canadians you look for opportunities. Obama's candidacy, and even more if he is elected, is such an opportunity in the US.
Can we make it an opportunity relevant in Canada?
Fri, 2008-06-06 04:15
#7
writer
quote:
And it is about getting white people to acknowledge racism... but the HOW part is how you get there. We definitely don't get there with a big sign that says "Now We ARE Going toTalk About White Racism."So the trick is to challenge without doing that.
Wow, this is a bit mind-boggling, given the discussion you are now ignoring in this forum.
Sometimes we ARE going to Talk About White Racism, Otherwise What is The F*ing Point?
[url=http://www.rabble.ca/babble/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic&f=38&t=000690]L... plans to seal off rough ’hoods[/url]
Fri, 2008-06-06 04:29
#8
How about leaving some space/time writer.
I saw this thread first and made a post here. I wasn't ignoring the other one, just had not seen it yet.
But I can see how you would think my post here was weird.
My saying we should not hang out a big sign about "Lets Talk About White Racism" was about what is done on the national stage, not about what is done anywhere.
[ 06 June 2008: Message edited by: KenS ]
Fri, 2008-06-06 10:14
#9
quote:
Originally posted by KenS:
[b]So the question becomes HOW to raise those big questions.[ 05 June 2008: Message edited by: KenS ][/b]
I think there exists an apartheid-like situation for African-Americans in the USSA. It's self=-evidengt from U.S. crime and punishment statistics and infant mortality rates across ethnic and class boundaries in that country. And as it was in apartheid South Africa, our stooges in Ottawa aren't going to help the situation by shovelling massive amounts of fossil fuels and raw materials their way without any strings attached in dealing with basic human rights violations in the USSA. We don't need one more Neville Chamberlain wrt Canada's obligations to the rest of the world on the environment and social issues. Otherwise its business as usual in the land of the free.