Racism in Canada

Raj S. Gandhi is a sociology professor at the University of Calgary.

Few people doubt that racism exists in Canada. By racism is meant racist
beliefs and attitudes that exist among white Anglo-Saxon Canadians
against blacks, Indians, Asians, and a host of others of different
ethnic backgrounds, and the translation of those beliefs and attitudes
into violent and nonviolent action.

But racism is a complex issue, and no single book can claim to provide
a comprehensive analysis or discussion of all its dimensions and
aspects. It is fortunate, however, that a number of books in the social
sciences dealing with racism in Canada have started appearing. The book
under review is one example. The book intends to clarify the issues of
Canadian racism, both historical and contemporary, and to that end
McKague has put together some 19 chapters. Not all chapters are equally
good. However, it does provide valuable information and insights on a
very serious issue.

The authors in this collection write from a variety of perspectives and
offer a wide range of views: identifying the problems, examining the
causes and effects of racism, and in some cases proposing alternatives
and solutions. The anthology contains contributions from aboriginal
authors, immigrant authors, and other authors from a variety of cultures
and heritages. Some of the authors write about personal experiences with
racism, while others take a more scholarly approach that explores the
political and institutional aspects of racism.

Individual reflections on racism, examinations of Canada’s past and
present, analyses of racism and gender, and speculations about the
future of racism in Canada all add up to a stimulating collection that
will generate discussion and provoke thought on a subject of crucial
importance to Canada’s future.