17 votes

It’s OK to call racists ‘racist’

6 comments

  1. [5]
    Catt
    Link
    This has been in the news for a bit in Canada. The commentary I posted, is that, a commentary. For anyone interested, here's a bit more info for the incident itself: Trudeau: No apologies for...

    This has been in the news for a bit in Canada. The commentary I posted, is that, a commentary. For anyone interested, here's a bit more info for the incident itself:

    7 votes
    1. [4]
      39hp
      Link Parent
      I wonder which province of Cana- I mean, of course. Of course it was Quebec. Why do I even ask? I know racism isn't unique to Quebec, but why does it seem so prominent there? Is it actually that...

      I wonder which province of Cana-

      ... called out a woman for intolerance and racism while at an event in Sabrevois, Que.

      I mean, of course. Of course it was Quebec. Why do I even ask?

      I know racism isn't unique to Quebec, but why does it seem so prominent there? Is it actually that much more racist in that province? or is that just the my perception, especially with so many Quebecois hate groups popping up in the news?

      Going on a road trip through Canada, I noticed that Ontario at least shows some deference to the First Nations and acknowledges the aboriginal history of the region, even if it just stops at recognizing that history. But god damn, from my experiences in Quebec you'd think the French landed on an empty continent.

      9 votes
      1. [2]
        parenthesis
        Link Parent
        I agree with most of what @Catt said in terms of why Quebec is more (openly) racist than much of the rest of Canada. I would add that French Canadians are a historically (and in some ways...

        I agree with most of what @Catt said in terms of why Quebec is more (openly) racist than much of the rest of Canada. I would add that French Canadians are a historically (and in some ways presently) oppressed group in Canada, and in Quebec, they make up the majority of the population but until recently did not have equal access to education, wealth, and political power. This might be in part why white francophones here perceive becoming a minority as a threat, as their access to power is recent and hard fought.

        I would also say that multiculturalism as an ideal is not popular in Quebec, and people tend to expect minority groups to conform to the majority (white francophone) culture. This means that policies that enforce this, like face-covering bans, are more popular politically and with the public than they are in the rest of the country.

        I think that the First Nations situation is a bit more nuanced than what you saw on your trip. For instance, the first modern land claims treaty, the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement, was negotiated by the Quebec government. It gave certain Cree and Inuit nations increased control over their governance, education, and health systems. Many Quebecois also regard the Indigenous nations here as historical allies against the English. My anecdotal experience is that individual prejudice against Indigenous people is widespread across Canada, and if anything it's more common in the western provinces which have higher Indigenous populations.

        And I'm editing to add that this comment was meant to give insight into the Quebecois perspective based on my experience living in Quebec for the last decade, but that I don't actually agree with Quebec's racist attitudes and policies!

        7 votes
        1. Catt
          Link Parent
          Thanks for expanding! There's just so much to cover. You've covered more of what I wanted to too. I didn't have the time to look up the details and didn't feel as comfortable on my limited...

          Thanks for expanding! There's just so much to cover. You've covered more of what I wanted to too. I didn't have the time to look up the details and didn't feel as comfortable on my limited knowledge of the First Nations part especially.

          4 votes
      2. Catt
        Link Parent
        Yeah...this will be hard to answer without years of Canadian history...but my two-cents (and as an anglophone), it comes down to a need for the preservation of Quebec's unique francophone language...

        I know racism isn't unique to Quebec, but why does it seem so prominent there? Is it actually that much more racist in that province? or is that just the my perception, especially with so many Quebecois hate groups popping up in the news?

        Yeah...this will be hard to answer without years of Canadian history...but my two-cents (and as an anglophone), it comes down to a need for the preservation of Quebec's unique francophone language and culture. There is a long history that started before Canada was literally Canada, between the French, English and Aboriginals. ...I started trying to summarize this, but really can't, so here's the wiki! The absolute coles notes - after some wars/fighting, the English "won", and Britain promised Quebec that they can continue to live with their own language, laws and customs. Since then, there have been unification and things, including the Canadian Confederation (when we became Canada), that saw a redistribution of political power, centralizing it in Ontario and away from Quebec.

        In modern times, they don't seem too happy with immigration because (and I have no source, this is according to what I've heard in the news over the years) immigrates settling in Quebec and choosing to learn and speak English only.

        There is also definitely a bias in anglophone news (or so I'm told, my French is pathetic). Though during elections, I have noticed very different clips selected for English vs French news.

        Having been to Montreal, Quebec City and around, I don't feel they are more racist or anything. I also work daily with people from Montreal and never had any issues.

        6 votes
  2. [2]
    Comment removed by site admin
    Link
    1. TheJorro
      Link Parent
      One of Scheer's primary staffers is a former Rebel Media editor (Rebel Media is a very far right info rag, like a Canadian Breitbart). Should really tell anyone all they need to know.

      One of Scheer's primary staffers is a former Rebel Media editor (Rebel Media is a very far right info rag, like a Canadian Breitbart). Should really tell anyone all they need to know.

      6 votes