Introduction
Until the 1960s, racism was an obvious issue in Canadian society (Satzewich, 2011). Racism played a blatant role in defining individual attitudes, state policies, and institutional arrangements in the economy, the political structure, and civil society (Satzewich, 2011). However, there are broadly divergent issues about racism in Canada (Satzewich, 2011). Some believe that racism is a basic element of Canadian society and national identity. Racism in Canada is a book by Vic Satzewich that provides a closer lens on a variety of issues spanning from racism, and the immigration system, and racial profiling (Satzewich, 2011). It concluded by discussing some of the dilemmas and difficulties associated with anti-racism theory and practice (Satzewich, 2011). The essay will examine white privilege in Canada deriving ideas and concepts from Satzewich’s book.
Historical Background of White Privilege
Many Canadians often think that they do not suffer from similar racial challenges as their compatriots in the United States of America (Syed & Hill, 2011). Americans have had a long history of racial tensions and civil rights fights, and Canadian think that they have not followed the same path. White privilege strives to convince the audience that those who are White normally believe that they are supposed to have the most rights and benefits than other races. Realizing that white is color is the initial process of developing self-awareness among the white race (Syed & Hill, 2011). Most white individuals, children residing in a liberal nation, such as Canada are not quite cognizant of their own race until they first come in contact with, and get to know others who have experienced exclusion, and discrimination on the grounds of color (Syed & Hill, 2011). The byline of this awareness, and the acceptance of a responsibility to strive for fairness, and social justice will allow them to bond with members of minorities in a sense of shared humanity, and with a common objective of establishing a more united society (Syed & Hill, 2011).
White privilege is a predominant subject in Canadian society. The construction of white privilege was established during colonialism (Carroll, 2014). White Europeans colonized by many nations, emphasized on the need of their nation to become civilized, and free from the European values. Even though colonization in Canada occurred more than two centuries ago, the aftermath from it are still evident today (Carroll, 2014). For example, the domination of other races still exists in contemporary Canadian society. The concept of white privilege was first established to describe the race. The race is a social construction imposed by a dominant race (Carroll, 2014). Changes in our attitude toward race must start in education settings, and then advance to the society as a whole. For example, there is a need to focus on promoting equity and racial parity in schools located in Ontario, Canada (Syed & Hill, 2011). These schools have stopped to offer minority and foreign students with additional support, and resources to help them compete effectively and professionally within the educational and employment markets (Syed & Hill, 2011). Additionally, the urge towards standardizing the student curriculum and pedagogy, along with the testing of teachers to ensure they develop the required skills for the global job market (Syed & Hill, 2011). The move will also help to restore diversity and equity principles and practices within schools and education faculties that have been affected by the need to promote white privilege (Syed & Hill, 2011). In a nutshell, the whites have often been given far too many benefits at the expense of foreigners or individuals of other races.
The Current Situation With Regards To White Privilege in Canada
Currently, there a few instances that show the Whites are treated in a different way than other races. In Philadelphia, two African-American men were apprehended by law enforcement officers for just sitting in a Starbucks (Yang, 2018). In Australia, a pop star, Halsey went online to complain about the lack of hotel shampoos for ethnic hair (Yang, 2018). In Canada, the minority communities, immigrants, and refugee groups are at great risk of developing adverse effects that emanate from persistent health disparities. These health disparities arise mainly from the race, socio-economic ranks, poverty, and citizenship status. Raphael (2007) recognized the main social determinants of health in Canada; healths status, and health services, income, and income distribution, social exclusion, unemployment, employment and working conditions, and poor quality housing (Raphael, 2007)
The cultural embeddedness of the white ideology within discursive circles and practices means that the dominance of Euro-Western values in Canada tends to affect how the aboriginals, immigrants, and refugees access specialized and preventive care (Waldron, 2010). The Macro-analysis lens on inequality in the health care sector reveals that health disparity is a product of historical and modern processes and practices that are entrenched within the social structures, which affect the institutions of contemporary society (Waldron, 2010). It also restricts opportunities to access social, economic, and political resources. The modern micro-analysis on inequality concentrates on daily inequalities that highlight the conscious and unconscious discriminatory acts created against people of other races (Waldron, 2010).
The influence of macro-structural forces and micro-situational events on health disparities between several racial groups are contentious issues that have largely been assessed independently by researchers (Waldron, 2010). Many studies have largely failed to assess how poor health among minority groups and health inequalities between dominant and subordinate groups are outcomes of convergence of structural institutional, and daily inequities (Waldron, 2010). Further, research has revealed that immigrants are at more risk of depression, and other mood disorders, due to the social pressures of trying to adapt to the new lifestyle of the foreign nation without being helped (Waldron, 2010).
Social Impact of White Privilege in Canada
Peggy McIntosh's article concentrates on examining several ways in which white privilege experienced and rendered to white people at the expense of other races (McIntosh, 1990). These privileges that the whites are granted include; guaranteed freedom of association, choice of residence, and given an inner status in organizations (McIntosh, 1990). Positive representation in school curriculum materials, media, contribution to civilization, and positions of power. Availability of “white” connected goods and services (McIntosh, 1990).
McIntosh stated that the whiteness in him safeguarded him from many kinds of hostility, distress, and violence (McIntosh, 1990). Another major social problem that is caused by white privilege is ethical incongruence. It refers to the dilemma experienced by people when their beliefs are not similar (Solomona et al., 2005). The indifference can happen when their belief on a specific set of notions differ from experienced connected to that belief set (Solomona et al., 2005). For instance, an individual may, in theory, support the ideals of equity while employing workers, however, the other set of people may be unwilling to see it implemented (Solomona et al., 2005). The execution of employment equity measures has created a heated debate among concerned people who feel like opportunities like placements in teachers college are falling to qualified white candidates, whereas there are thousands of graduate foreigners, and aboriginals in teaching (Solomona et al., 2005).
Another instance of social effects of racial privilege in Canada can be seen through democratic racism; This is an ideology that allows and justifies the maintenance of two apparently contradicting sets of values (Solomona et al., 2005). One set comprises of a commitment to a democratic society inspired by egalitarian values of impartiality, justice, and equality (Solomona et al., 2005). The other set of attitudes and concerns include adverse feelings about people of color that initiate discriminatory acts (Solomona et al., 2005). A great issue that was noted for the white teacher candidates was that the ideologies shaped their understanding of their true self, and their position in the society (Solomona, Portelli, Daniel & Campbell, 2005).
Conclusion
In conclusion, the paper has provided an overarching perspective on white privilege in Canada based on racism, and the immigration system a topic derived from Racism in Canada. The blacks, whites from low social class, and lack insurance covers, and other people who face cost-related barriers to care are at great risk of perceived discrimination. It is important for the Canadian government to implement policies, and interventions to reduce racial privilege (Stepanikova & Oates, 2017). These policies should mainly target to resolve structural and systemic factors, such as health disparity, unequal education opportunities that give rise to racial discrimination (Stepanikova & Oates, 2017).
