Temas de Capa

Há racismo no Canadá?

Toda a gente é racista. Sim, alguns mais que outros, mas pensamentos racistas entram nas nossas vidas e são percetíveis ao nosso redor.

Racismo é igual a preconceito racial mais poder. Preconceito racial é “um conjunto de atitudes discriminatórias ou depreciativas baseadas em suposições derivadas de perceções sobre raça/cor da pele”.

O poder desempenha um papel substancial na proliferação de tendências racistas, de posições poderosas ou privilegiadas, direcionadas a indivíduos ou grupos que se encontram numa posição menos poderosa ou privilegiada.

Recentemente, Justin Trudeau culpou as suas tendências racistas por ter sido criado numa sociedade privilegiada. Os episódios de Trudeau usando o “blackface” demonstram afinal atitudes ocultas nas nossas mentes, em vez de uma manifestação de racismo. O grau em que um indivíduo exibe racismo nem sempre é socialmente mostrado e, com frequência, os maiores racistas mantêm os seus pensamentos dentro de si e praticam a intolerância de maneira oculta ou, pelo menos, não muito visível.

Racismo não é o mesmo que discriminação. Todos nós já experimentámos discriminação devido a características fora do nosso controlo e geralmente ocorrem quando um indivíduo é tratado de maneira diferente dos outros, apenas por aquilo que é ou porque é possuidor de determinadas marcas que os distinguem.

O privilégio dos brancos e a crença na superioridade de uma raça em particular nunca terminarão. Muitos perguntam se o racismo reverso não é igual, quando se trata de indígenas ou pessoas de cor em relação aos brancos. A única diferença é que, com frequência, a discriminação percecionada vem de uma posição de desigualdade social gerada por uma sociedade que não presta atenção.

O Canadá, com sua política de abraçar todas as etnias do mundo e se promover como o melhor país para se viver, expõe-se a formas de racismo que outros países podem não experienciar. Geralmente, os grupos étnicos formam as suas próprias comunidades e não se integram no tecido da sociedade canadiana. Essa separação cultural cria pensamentos discriminatórios e é gerada pela ignorância sobre o que são os que vivem em quase guetos culturais.

É do interesse de todos aceitar os nossos vizinhos por quem eles são, sem fazer suposições, no entanto, os nossos políticos não estão a ajudar com ações que dissuadiriam os outros de espelhá-los e fornecer desculpas aos radicais para praticar o racismo em silêncio ou em público. Como comprovado pelas tentativas de Trudeau de pedir desculpas e pelas tentativas de Scheer e Singh de as capitalizar, não há maneira fácil de discutir a intolerância racial.

Então, quem está apto para ser o primeiro-ministro quando tudo parece resumir-se ao que cada um pensa sobre como as pessoas devem ser tratadas? Nenhum. Mas, novamente, nenhum de nós estaria apto a governar. O mundo está a progredir de uma maneira mais destrutiva no que diz respeito ao racismo, porque todo o mundo tem medo de falar sobre os problemas reais e ser rotulado de racista. É triste porque, a menos que haja diálogo, a quebra de barreiras étnicas e aceitação cultural, a esperança de inclusão e resolução de pensamentos nunca acontecerá.

 

M. Eduarda, 44 years old

What are you views on racism?

“Racism has been on my radar recently and on the minds of many, I am sure, given the discovery of the Prime Minister’s racism scandal.  Not on one occasion, but on three occasions, that we know about…  Although disappointing and hurtful, it has provided us the opportunity to have open dialogues about the harsh realities of racism and its impact.

In my place of employment, in one of Toronto’s private schools, it is not tolerated.  Clearly, the coincidence of one of the blackface occurrences taking place on school grounds or at a school-sponsored event is not being overlooked at my school.   We are in disbelief that it was tolerated.  Was it overlooked because the school benefited by having a former Prime Ministers’ son employed there?  Although, the school’s administrators could not have stopped him from doing such a thing, why did they think it was appropriate to feature that picture in the yearbook?  Could not one person in that circle recognize that it was wrong then and it is wrong now?  That’s so alarming to me.

I am almost the same age as the Prime Minister and have the same educational training.   I studied at OISE while he studied UBC, I believe, although different faculties of education, I am sure he learned about inclusion and diversity.  At the faculties of education, diversity was a focus then and continues to be now before Justin Trudeau made it one of his slogans. He doesn’t meet my expectations of a star educator. Furthermore, this is upsetting to me because when revealed and questioned, he lied.  He is disingenuous. Coincidentally, his place in the world as a white male and his dynastic political name has given him the carte blanche. Clearly, a lot of work still needs to be done.  I will continue to speak to my students about privilege, discrimination, biases, and prejudices”.

Have you ever faced discrimination?

“Unfortunately, I think we can all say that there has been a time or plural, times, that we have been treated differently, have been made to feel inferior to another.  As the daughter to Portuguese immigrant parents, I have witnessed firsthand their experiences; for example, neighbors remarked on their cultural practices and belittled the way they did things.        

As for me, I have been pigeonholed.  In places of employment, cleaning tasks were assigned to me because, “you’re Portuguese and good at cleaning”.  Often when I introduce myself and because I identify when asked, it almost immediately follows with the non-Portuguese person trying to make a connection, and they respond, “How lovely! My cleaning lady is Portuguese too”.  Or with another stereotype.  Discrimination is prevalent in the world around us.  Although, I do recognize that I am blessed to live in a place that Canada.  I have travelled and attended soccer matches where I have witnessed acts as ugly as blackface.  Another point worth sharing is my own ethnic group, assuming I share their racist views because we are “the same”.  I have chosen not to be a bystander but have shortcomings too”.

What form of racism still exist?

“Racism is hatred of one person by another based on skin color, language, customs, religion believes, birthplace, or any other factor that reveals the nature of that person. Systematic racism is common too.  Essentially, a lack of equality is racism.”

Who is affected by racism?

“As stated previously, no one is immune to racism (discrimination and prejudice) but I imagine visible minorities experience it most”.

 

M. Mohammed, 38 years old

What are your views on racism?

“It’s unfortunate that racism exist, especially in Canada, where it’s so diverse. But then again, it’s not that long ago that segregation was abolished, and interracial relationships/marriage was tolerated”.

Have you ever faced discrimination?

“Yes. At the young age of eight, somewhere in elementary school I was called a derogatory term without knowing it was derogatory.  I didn’t understand what it meant, and I was confused as to why it was said”.

What form of racism still exists?

‘There are various types and forms of racism. One that stands out is when individuals are unaware that they are being racists by their actions and/or statements”.

Who is affected by racism?

“There are many groups who are affected by racism. We need more education and discussions in our schools regarding the topic. The Canadian government has a dark history in systematic racism that needs to be taught. We can’t move forward unless we learn where we came from”.

 

Karishma Mishra , 22 years old

What are your views on racism?

“I feel that racism is a timely and relevant issue that still occurs in certain communities or spaces. ‘Racism’ is a big problem and it must be addressed as a ‘real problem’ similar to violence because we live in a society that apprehends that by pursuing the notion of ‘multiculturism’ we can eliminate racism as a whole, but the unfortunate reality is it has not been challenged to the core and racism occurring in society towards a particular community/communities is as dangerous as violence caused by a weapon”.

Have you ever faced discrimination?

“Being of Indian descent, my parents immigrated to Canada to pursue better employment opportunities and lifestyle for my brother and myself. I came to Canada when I was only eight years of age, and my time in elementary until high school was not pleasant. I was constantly bullied because of my ‘name’ which to me felt that it stood out from the norm and I was told in middle school to ‘go back to my real home because Canada was not my home’. While being bullied to its severity and being constantly reminded that I was not ‘Canadian’, I suffered severe mental trauma and anxiety and I constantly persuaded my parents to allow me to drop out of school which affected my academic excellence. Throughout the years, I grew up mentally strong and realized that my confidence, self-esteem and self-worth is my identity”.

What form of racism still exists?

“Being a fourth-year student at University of Toronto, majoring in Women’s & Gender studies and in Psychology, I would say that I have studied and researched quite heavily on “racism” and I feel it is a problem that deserves much attention. I consider myself to be fortunate to be a part of the diaspora in Toronto because diversity prides itself here and it is embodied and rooted within. From conducting field study and research, racism exists in “ALL” forms whether it be an individual vs. group opinion or systemic racism. Here I question, who is really Canadian”.

Who is affected by racism?

“Racism affects every individual, every identity, every community and every ethnicity. From my field study and research and from personal experience, I have encountered individuals from different identities to different cultural ethnicities who have shared ‘lived experiences’ of the impact of racism in their lives. Racism is the “poison” in society that causes utmost damage not only in the form of words, violence or hate crimes but it deeply tarnishes the individual, an identity, and a community”.

 

Carla Neto, 50 years old

What are your views on racism?

“Racism if a form of oppression that considers a race superior to others. The ideology that supports racism is white supremacy. In this case white people are the dominant group and non-white people are members of the oppressed group. Racism supports the marginalization and discrimination of people of color or, as it is often referred in north America, “racialized people”. White supremacy ideology gives privilege and permission for individuals of the dominant group to practice unfairness and inequality (interpersonal level) access to the resources as they believe that they are entitled to them. Stereotyping becomes a tool used to uphold racism. The ideology of white supremacy is institutionalized making racism present in policies, laws, practices and procedures as is the case of practices such as colonization and slavery, the racial segregation in the USA, carding and the targeting of young black men, the abuse of indigenous children in the residential school system, the holocaust, etc”.

Have you ever faced discrimination?

“Yes, I have in many different ways and in different setting. Acts of racism can manifest in ways that diminish opportunities for work advancement or otherwise”.

What form of racism still exists?

“Racism practiced by white supremacy ideology believers and then there is internalized racism which is when people from marginalized groups or non-whites act in oppressive ways toward members of their racial groups or other non-whites”.

Who is affected by racism?

“Historically, African descendants have been the biggest targets of racism and the slavery of Africans has had a disastrous impact that is still being felt in the African continent and by its descendants throughout the world. In Canada, Indigenous people continue to be oppressed and experience racism interpersonally and systemically. Other racialized people such as middle eastern, sought Asians are also impacted by racism”.

 

Gerard Mendoza, 21 years old

What are your views on racism?

“Firstly, I feel that racism is a belief that tends to show superiority of a particular race over another. “Racism” is a sensitive issue that must be prioritized at every aspect and must be addressed because it causes barriers in communities and potentially poses harm and crime in society”.

Have you ever faced discrimination?

“I am of Filipino/Chinese descent and my parents migrated to Canada when I was a young adolescent. My parents always taught me to embrace diversity. In school, I had friends from all different ethnicities. In certain spaces, I have been questioned about my “race” and endured harsh and negative commentary pointing out my “race” and my physical features and attributes”.

What form of racism still exists?

“Racism exists everywhere and in all shapes and forms. It can be as small as using “harsh” words to “funny” memes to escalading to bigger issues like violence and crime. Racism is institutionalized and at times, escalades from a personal opinion. There has to be strict prioritization towards racism and the degree of alertness. Racism in society does not exist at birth, it is an “organized” and “learned” behavior.”

Who is affected by racism?

“Everyone and anyone can be affected and deeply impacted by racism. Racism is a form of “social destruction” that can leave its mark and affect lifetimes and generations.”

 

Carlos Ferraz, 54 years old

O que pensa sobre o racismo?

Na minha opinião, o racismo não é uma condição de origem natural.  Racismo não é parte do DNA humano literalmente falando porque não se nasce racista.  As pessoas tornam-se racistas e o meio a sua volta como geografia, media, cultura e tudo o mais assim as influencia em direção à ideologia do racismo. Uma das formas para a tentativa de eliminação do racismo deverá começar com a eliminação dos alicerces da matriz do seu projeto social que é o racismo e consequentemente a criação políticas de inclusão universal se possam rever se rever para que se possa dar ao bem e prosperidades comuns (locais e ao redor do planeta) alguma chance e esperança.

Você sente no seu dia a dia manifestações racistas?

Não necessariamente em relação à minha pessoa.  No entanto, isso não quer dizer que eu não tenha vivido racismo. Várias vezes já tive oportunidade de testemunhar atitudes de caráter discriminatório e que, de uma ou de outra forma, me vi discriminado muito embora tais atitudes de racismo não me tenham sido diretamente dirigidas.

Que tipo de racismo existe?

De uma maneira geral, o racismo é associado à diversidade da complexidade humana como tom de pele, etnia, origem geográfica, etc.  No entanto, racismo como condição social por vezes manifesta-se de diferentes formas com maior relevância de forma política e económica.  Por exemplo, o ser humano denominado branco se for um homem de rua (homeless) não escapará à discriminação e ao desprezo por parte das pessoas, quer possuam a sua complexidade ou não.  Não irá haver, de forma nenhuma, diferença entre ele e um outro ser humano de complexidade humana ou tonalidade de pele mais escura.  Aí irá refletir-se a engenharia social do racismo (política de exclusão) e não propriamente a complexidade da diversidade humana.

Quem são os mais afetados?

De uma maneira geral toda a  raça humana é vítima de racismo.  As circunstâncias, essas sim, determinam com maior incidência ou particularidade um segmento ou grupo da raça humana mais do que outro ou outros segmentos ou grupos.  Do meu ponto de vista, olhando para dentro dos muitos processos e adversidades da história da humanidade como por exemplo guerras, colonização, etc. é bastante visível que o segmento da raça humana que mais sofreu e que ainda assim mais sofre com a ideologia do racismo, penso eu, continua a  ser o grupo de complexidade humana de tom de pele mais escura a que foi denominado como sendo pessoas negras.  Na minha opinião, se olharmos para as características da cor preta e branca (repelir e absorver luz) nenhum ser humano é capaz de sobreviver se, de facto, for dessas duas cores.  Partindo da lógica deste discernimento é fácil concluir que a cor continua a ser a maior ferramenta de utensílio na e para a perpetuação do racismo.

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