TV Ad Pulled for Offensive Depiction of Native People
Posted: July 22, 2011 Filed under: Uncategorized Leave a comment »“Citizen journalist and Mohawk from Kanehsatake, Clifton Nicholas, discusses his reaction to a new advertising campaign by Eska Water, a Canadian bottled water company. Nicholas is leading a boycott of Eska water because of a culturally insensitive ad called ‘Eskan Warriors’ which has three non-aboriginal men, dressed as natives, with menacing faces, trying to protect the water’s purity.”
“Colonial” Themed Wedding Sparks Disbelief
Posted: July 14, 2011 Filed under: Uncategorized Leave a comment »“B
ecause when I get married, I not only want to live happily ever after, I want to relive systems of oppression.” Might this have been what the bride was thinking? Let’s hope not.
According to Jezebel, a bride in South Africa wanted a Colonial Africa themed wedding and hired an all black wait staff to fit the theme. This wedding has sparked not only disbelief and outrage but also questions of whether or not the bride and groom had malicious intent when they planned their special day.
Read the original post and see pictures here. (Picture at left taken from Jezebel)
The venue for the wedding has issued a press release.
By Stephanie Molina
The Numbers Game: Discrimination and Immigration
Posted: June 10, 2011 Filed under: Uncategorized Leave a comment »By Ian Mathieson
According to a recent report by the Fraser Institute immigration is costing Canada over 23 billion a year and the often touted benefits of immigration to Canada and Canadians doesn’t match the cost.
Many have already commented on the problematic nature of how the numbers may have been calculated – and there has also been interesting arguments made that immigrants are reducing the overall crime rate in Canada. I, however, want to consider how the systemic discrimination that newcomers and immigrants face may impact how we consider the net cost or benefits of folks coming to Canada to make a new life.
Another recent report released in May by the Fraser Institute’s ideological counterpoint, the Centre for Policy Alternatives, uses the same economic data from the 2006 Statscan census. The report titled: “Canada’s Colour Coded Labour Market” tells a story of the economic situation in Canada as it relates to people of colour. According to one of the reports authors, Grace-Edward Galabuzi, “We found that during the heyday of Canada’s pre-recession economic boom, racialized Canadians were more willing to work, but experienced higher levels of unemployment and earned less income than non-racialized Canadians. The distribution of work tells a disturbing story: Equal access to opportunity eludes many racialized Canadians.”
So why do we need to look at these two documents side by side? The answer is people of colour. Read More
Music that helps ease the impact of stereotypes
Posted: May 12, 2011 Filed under: Discrimination, Popular Culture, Racism Leave a comment »Last week I had the privilege of watching Shad, an immensely talented African Canadian rapper, in concert. While checking-out some of his songs on YouTube later in the week, I was really struck by one of the comments posted in response to Shad’s “Brother” music video:
“i’m so glad that i just heard this song. i’m victim to many stereotypical comments and racist jokes just because i’m black so its great to hear a song that makes me feel slightly liberated from it. even if its just a little bit, i’m glad to be a little bit mentally free.“
Why was I left a bit breathless after reading this comment? Well, I think it was because those words spoke so clearly to the debilitating impact racism can have on our lives. The person who wrote this comment expressed feeling victimized and imprisoned by racism. As someone who does not experience racism often, the thought of someone being constantly subjected to it is very painful and impacts me deeply.
I am glad that Shad is sharing his words with the world and offering a fresh and honest perspective in which some can find solace from racism. Take a couple of minutes and have a listen. Does this song resonate with you?
Two different T.V. takes on Race according to Racialicious
Posted: April 14, 2011 Filed under: Popular Culture, Racism Leave a comment »What The Office Does Right That 30 Rock Does Not [TV Correspondent Tryout]
Racialicious has a fabulicious post (excuse the made-up word) for those who are fans of the shows 30 Rock or The Office. For those 
unfamiliar with the Racialicious blog, it is ” blog about the intersection of race and pop culture. ” And so this post by Guest Contributor, Joi Foley, is an interesting post comparing the shows two different takes on dealing with issues of race.
“Elements of Diversity” post on Racialicious
Posted: April 7, 2011 Filed under: Diversity, Racism Leave a comment »
“Elements of Diversity: How Change Agents, Activists, Advocates, and Other Do-Gooders Seem to Not Get It Right After 40 Years of Trying”
Read this interesting article here.
Fact of Day- Rights & Freedoms
Posted: March 30, 2011 Filed under: Fact of the Day Leave a comment »1982 – The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms is put into effect. Allowed for the first time for enforcement of equality rights by means of the Supreme Court.
1985 – The Indian Act is amended to end discrimination against status Aboriginal women who marry someone who is non-status or non-Indian. Aboriginal women can retain their status whomever they marry.
Last of “What March 21st Means to Me”
Posted: March 29, 2011 Filed under: Guest Post, Racism Leave a comment »As “March for Understanding” comes to a close I want to leave you all with this last post from one of the youth participating in Racism Free Edmonton. Although March as almost over, I hope your desire to learn more about racism will continue.
Blog Post by Lewisa Chisholm, Racism Free Edmonton Youth Working Group Member
“To me The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination means a new season of understanding how to respectfully and wisely disseminate information on numerous cultures and religions without bias, prejudice and stereotype. Most importantly, it reminds us that we should appreciate how different the human race is and that we each bring something unique and diverse to the table that is always needed and essential.
I joined the Racism Free Edmonton Initiative because I am a firm believer that we should practice what we preach. Often we sit around tables making suggestions on how to live and what is ethically acceptable. However, only a few of us have made an effort to put these beliefs into action. I wanted to share my experiences with the world but also learn from others who may or may not have walked a mile in my shoes. I believe that when we stop to listen, we give the brain an opportunity to think and appreciate the value of life and freedom. It is this train of thought that gives room and energy to the many voices that are muted, and refines the faces of our neighbours who may get lost in the chaos of life. This perspective has illuminated how important it to appreciate each other and create a sustainable world where difference is beauty and acceptance is love.”
Fact of the Day- Multiculturalism
Posted: March 29, 2011 Filed under: Uncategorized Leave a comment »1971 – A policy of multiculturalism, taking into account the cultural diversity of Canada, is introduced by the federal government. It is the first official multiculturalism policy to be adopted by any country.
1
972 – Rosemary Brown becomes the first Black woman to hold provincial office in Canada.
Fact of the Day-Immigration Act and Child Adoption
Posted: March 24, 2011 Filed under: Uncategorized Leave a comment »1952 – The new Immigration Act gives government the power to screen accept or deny immigrants based on “nationality, citizenship, ethnic group, class or geographic area of origin, peculiar customs, habits, modes of life or probable inability to become readily assimilated.”
1963 – For the first time in history, Canadians are allowed to adopt children from abroad who are not White.
