Social Problems in Canada,
Chapter 13:
Prejudice, Discrimination,
Racism
Presenters: Jenelle Rouse and Carlos Torres
Outline
• Explaining the framing problem of racism
in Canada
• Definition of Racism
• The Faces of Racism
• Discussion Questions
Explaining the framing problem
of racism
From afar, look at a
picture of Canada’s
multiculturalism
society; you may think
it as an openness,
compassion, social
justice, equality, and
meritocracy society.
However, when you look closer at the picture, the
image of Canada’s ideology would be blurred, which
represents Canada’s conflicts within society.
Canada’s reality conflicts are discrimination,
prejudice, and racism.
Definitions of Racism
Racism as biology (or race) can be used in
three ways
1.
2.
A belief that genes or biology 3. Racism as biology refers
determines people’s
to the process of
behaviour.
attaching an evaluative
and moral quality to
perceived biological
Racism may be defined as
differences
the use of race as a basis for
entitlement or evaluation of
others
Ideology
Racism as ideology transforms race-based
differences into a hierarchy that justifies the
dominance of one group over another. Racism as
race begins with the ideological belief that people
can be divided into ‘races’ and assessed or treated
accordingly.
Under the human differences: certain types of
behaviour (i.e. intelligence) and a moral value of
inferiority or superiority.
Culture
The new racism is rooted in a dislike toward the
‘other’, not only because of who they are
(biology) but also because of what they do
(culture). In the other words, minorities are
denied or excluded by racializing cultural
differences as a basis for denial or dislike. This
cultural racism prevails when people of one
culture assume their way of doing things is normal
and important, together with the power to impose
these ideologies and practices on others.
Power
Racism is approached as virtually any type
of exploitation or process of exclusion by
which the dominant group
institutionalizes its privilege and power at
expense of others.
The Faces of Racism
•Interpersonal Racism
•Institutional Racism
•Ideological Racism
•Cultural Racism
Interpersonal Racism
Hate racism is an action among of reactionary,
ignorant, or defiant individuals. Hate racism
occurs through physical or verbal abuse, which
consists of highly personal attacks on others
perceived as culturally or biologically inferior.
Polite racism: at risk of social or legal consequences
due to the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the
Human Rights Code that has banished hate racism
from public discourse, people would attempt to
disguise a dislike of others behind a mask.
Institutional Racism
Systematic racism involves organizational rules and
procedures that directly and deliberately prevent
minorities from achieving full and equal
institutional involvement.
Systemic racism comes across as impersonal and
unconscious. It is the name given to this subtle
yet powerful form of discrimination that reflects
the normal functioning of the institution. (i.e.
Occupationrequirements for job applicants such
as weight, height, and education)
Ideological Racism
Everyday racism is racist
practices that infiltrate
everyday life and become
part of what is accepted as
normal by the dominant
group. Everyday racism is
created and reconstructed
through daily actions that
are repetitive, systematic,
familiar, and routine.
Language is one of the
examples of everyday
racism because language
itself may used to degrade
or ridicule minorities.
Prejudice refers to negative,
often unconscious, and
preconceived notions about
others. (i.e. Ethnocentrism and
stereotypes)
Discrimination refers to the
process by which these
prejudgements are pout into
practice. It also involves
treating people differently and
negatively without a good
reason. (i.e. Harassment)
Cultural Racism
The mainstream cultural values are defined as the
unquestioned norm and neutral standard by which
others are judged—regardless of their impact on
others. Cultural racism within a cultural values set
can be defined or called subliminal racism,
democratic racism, non-racist racism, or aversive
racism. For instance, Canadians would express
sympathy toward those less fortunate than
themselves; however, Canadians continue to have
negative and prejudicial attitude anyway.
Discussion Questions
•
How do the concepts of race, prejudice
and discrimination fit in relation to course
material?
*Hint: Consider the role of power in relation to the dissemination of
ideologies about a particular group*
•
Using sociological theories (consensus,
conflict, symbolic interactionism and
Feminism) frame and problematize race,
prejudice and discrimination.
Suggestions for eradicating racism?