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A Multicultural Canada

10/20/2015

12 Comments

 
Picture
 Since the start of this year, we have been doing a decent amount of outreach about our ongoing efforts in the community, as well as educating everyday Canadians on multiculturalism and anti-racism values. We have had the opportunity to have our booths at several different events in the city of Calgary, as well as across Alberta. During these events, we have been promoting some of our projects and also promoting our mission.
 
The most common question we get is:
What does it mean for Canada to be a multicultural society?
 

A lot of people don’t understand the meaning of multiculturalism itself and what it means for Canada to be a multicultural country. Does it mean we have no identity? How can we be all cultures at once? And what about cultural practices that are against our freedom of rights?
 
Thinking of multiculturalism with the questions above can be fairly confusing. What is Canada’s identity? To put it simple:
 
Multiculturalism exists when people accept and encourage many cultures to thrive in a society. Multiculturalism can lead to many great outcomes, including racial and ethnic harmony, which simply means that people from different backgrounds get along well together. Living with and accepting different cultures helps us understand each other and discourages hatred and violence. Canada officially became a multicultural society in 1971 when the government began to recognize the value and dignity of Canadians of all races and ethnic groups, all languages and all religions. This is very important to understanding because it means our legislation and law says we are a multicultural nation. This makes Canada incredibly unique, and racialized (people of colour) in this nation expect equal treatment.
 
Furthermore, we think it’s important to note that no culture is constant. In fact there are very few things in life that remain constant. Every culture is constantly evolving as humans are. There are no strict “laws” for cultures and old practices, so in Canada we do not support practices that go against our basic human rights.
 
But why is it that if Canada is a multicultural country that racism still exists? Why do children feel embarrassed or bullied if their parents wear their ethnic clothes or have an accent? Why does police brutality against people of colour (especially Indigenous and Black) in Canada still exist? And why do we still judge people based on their background?
 
People have hatred or distrust toward a certain race or ethnic group that is systemically rooted. When Canada as a nation was created, it was not created with multiculturalism in mind, nor an anti-racism lens, which would have had an intersectional approach for all people. However, regardless of the reality that systemic racism does exist, according to our laws promoting hatred is not allowed in Canada. Everyone has a right to preserve their own culture and we must also respect each other’s right to do the same. There is no scientific proof that people from a certain background have certain qualities. This a lie that racism has bred. And the more people that continue to enforce that mentality in their daily lives, the bigger they get. We as citizens need to think before we speak and act. Our words and actions have more meaning than we imagine. They not only represent us, but contribute to our society as a whole.
 
So how do we end it?

Systemic Changes in Policies.
We need to challenge and change our society for the better through the systems that continue to oppress. This can look like changing laws, reorganizing societal strictures, reforms, creating new systems, electing politicians and parties with an equity lens and more.

Education.
Let’s start talking to our children, youth, adults and seniors about multicultural and anti-racist values and help to mitigate racism from society. Let’s accept one another and embrace each others cultures, values and beliefs as equal to ours. Different, but equal. But we can’t do it alone. It requires a team effort through everyone in society. So we ask you to do the same.
12 Comments
vincent kamanda link
10/10/2018 09:48:25 am

Hello there
i would like to get more information from you.
Infact, i'm actually in south africa and i live here as refugee, but bucause of xenophobia issues here i want to move to canada for my afety and i need your assistance for resettlement.

kind regards,

vincent

Reply
unknown
6/1/2020 01:49:48 pm

You should consult with the Canadian government.

https://www.canada.ca/en.html

Reply
posterior carrot
11/26/2018 11:48:50 am

treatable

Reply
bohdan shulskyy
9/17/2019 09:01:10 pm

yes

Reply
earthworm
9/18/2019 11:07:41 am

Its Earthworm Sally carrying diseases from florida to cali, florida to cali earthworm sally flyin through the air, i'm just a earthworm but i don't really care, i can be your barber i can, cut your hair.

Reply
I like rusty spoons. I like to touch them . with my salad fingers link
9/18/2019 11:08:26 am

I like rusty spoons. I like to touch them . with my salad fingers

Reply
Max
4/20/2020 11:51:53 pm

Merci de détruit mon pays,son identité, sa culture qui est désormais étranger et son patrimoine

Reply
bruh link
6/13/2020 09:09:18 pm

:|

Reply
Arnold McLean link
12/6/2020 11:05:23 pm

This is greeat

Reply
Joann Bedard link
1/15/2022 09:09:05 am

This is very important to understanding because it means our legislation and law says we are a multicultural nation. Thank you for the beautiful post!

Reply
beatrice beatree
4/12/2022 06:43:05 am

my names beatrice and i like trees, i live in tree and there my life. #imatree #beatree

Reply
Matthew Harris link
5/16/2022 03:29:21 pm

This is very important to understanding because it means our legislation and law says we are a multicultural nation. I truly appreciate your great post!

Reply



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  • Our Work
  • Anti-Racism Arts Festival
    • 2022 Anti-Racism Arts Festival
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