I am writing about the
racialization of "blacks in Canada in early Canada. The things I have
found out are quite shocking to me.
Racialization Definition- To
differentiate or categorize according to race (The Free Dictionary by
Farlex, 2003)
In the year 1763 the treaty of Paris, France ceded the mainland North America east of the Mississippi to Great Britain. In doing so it strengthened slavery in Canada. Slavery thrived for centuries in Canada against many attempts to abolish it. When the loyalists fled to Canada they brought more slaves with them which only furthered the continuation of slavery. In 1793 Parliament brought a bill forward to promote the abolishing of slavery and this still did nothing. When the Americans had their civil war Canada told the African Americans they could have freedom if they left their owners and crossed British lines. A lot of blacks came across. With not knowing what to do about the growing numbers of blacks and the fact that they were neighbouring with black slaves, the government sent a majority of the African Americans to Nova Scotia. Some remained there, but some fled to Africa because of the poor conditions they were living in, as well as promised land that was never given to them.(Winks, 2008)
In the year 1763 the treaty of Paris, France ceded the mainland North America east of the Mississippi to Great Britain. In doing so it strengthened slavery in Canada. Slavery thrived for centuries in Canada against many attempts to abolish it. When the loyalists fled to Canada they brought more slaves with them which only furthered the continuation of slavery. In 1793 Parliament brought a bill forward to promote the abolishing of slavery and this still did nothing. When the Americans had their civil war Canada told the African Americans they could have freedom if they left their owners and crossed British lines. A lot of blacks came across. With not knowing what to do about the growing numbers of blacks and the fact that they were neighbouring with black slaves, the government sent a majority of the African Americans to Nova Scotia. Some remained there, but some fled to Africa because of the poor conditions they were living in, as well as promised land that was never given to them.
After the Abolition of slavery
people of black decent were treated as if they were lower class than the white
race. They were segregated in the way of not being allowed to attend social
institutions such as churches, and schools with the white community. (Walker, 2008)
This all is shocking to me. When we learn of our history this information is not brought to our attention. I always thought that Canada never had slavery and that we welcomed all people as equal into our country. I see so many things have change as of today, but I think racialization is still A very big concern in Canada today. I am glad I am doing this blog assignment as I think it will be very interesting to find out about Canadian history pertaining to different issues.
This all is shocking to me. When we learn of our history this information is not brought to our attention. I always thought that Canada never had slavery and that we welcomed all people as equal into our country. I see so many things have change as of today, but I think racialization is still A very big concern in Canada today. I am glad I am doing this blog assignment as I think it will be very interesting to find out about Canadian history pertaining to different issues.
Works Cited
The Free Dictionary by Farlex. (2003).
Retrieved October 19, 2012, from Racialization-Definition of racialization
by The free Online Dictionary, Thesauraus, and Encyclopedia:
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/racialization
Walker, J. S. (2008). Lands And Settlement In Nova
Scotia. In The History of Immigration and Racism in Canada: Essential
Readings (pp. 49-68). Toronto, Ontario: Canadian Scholars' Press Inc.
Winks, R. W.
(2008). Slavery, The Loyalists, And English Canada, 1760-1801. In The
History of Immigration and racism in Canada: Essential Readings (pp.
27-40). Toronto,Ontario: Canadian Scholars' Press inc.
Human slavery is such a disgusting act from the human being it sickens me every time i think about it. I didn't think Canada had slavery either, until I actually learned about it and looked into the issue. It seems everyone has a horrible past, and I am hoping that we can all achieve peace and equality soon. Who are we to judge someone by their skin colour? It honestly makes no sense to me. Racism is such a horrible issue, that I cannot even fathom about going on about it, because I feel so strongly about equality for everyone. One of my most favourite men in history would have to be Martin Luther King Jr., one of the most influential and greatest men ever, I believe. He stood up for equality, and we have him to thank for abolishing racism laws from the 60's. Your post is very relevant to today's society, and I hope we can all reach equality.
ReplyDelete-Amy
I agree. We can only hope that Canada becomes the country we all believe it to be. It would be nice to know that we are all viewed and treated as equals.
DeleteThank you for writing on this topic! I think that one of Canada's biggest problems is that the school system teaches kids that we are this great country that has no biases and accepts everyone freely and treats them equally. This couldn't be further than the truth. We like to ignore our dark past so that we can maintain our pristine image as this great country. That image is fake. We point our fingers at America and talk about how late in history they abolished slavery, but we took just as long in some ways. It was just 50 years ago that African Americans were fighting for the right to have basic human rights and to not be excluded and segregated. Although laws changed, people's opinions didn't. Today, people still believe certain stereotypes about different groups, not just African Americans. Although we no longer have slavery in North America, we verbally oppress people. We put them in categories and treat them differently according to what we believe, that is just as unfair as slavery in my opinion.
ReplyDelete-Morgan (Disabilities)
This is so true. The stereo types are sickening. The fact that even our generation can still hold these strong opinions of different races and traditions is disturbing.
DeleteKate,
ReplyDeleteI think it was really great that you decided to research this topic and allow yourself to become more knowledgable in it. It is something that is an unfortunate piece of our past that a lot of people are not aware of. Of course people know it happened, but like you said yourself they dont know it happened here.
I think that Canada is a great place, especially since we have improved from our past so much. I think Morgan's point is good too, that the school system teaches children mainly the positive, where as the negative is not focused on. I think world issues should be addressed in school more closely, especially with the increase in bullying in the past years.
A recent event in my little sisters classroom encouraged me to explain to them what slavery was/is. I took it upon myself to educate them so they really understood the meaning of why the "N word" is such a "bad" and "unacceptable" word to use.
My sisters are in grade six and since the word has come up within the school on more than one occasion you'd think they would further the explanation of why it is not to be used. Instead, they just continue to give children detention.
- Geraldine
I have learned a lot before this assignment as I have made it a priority to learn about what my son will have to face as he grows up. His dad is from Trinidad and told me horror stories of growing up in this society. What I have learned is that Canada is not as it seems which is so sad. I love my country just not the way they deal with the racial issues in Canada.
DeleteThis is a great topic! We are never really aware until we research. Racism is still a very big topic that should not be around anymore because in Canada we are peace-keepers not discriminators !
ReplyDelete- Alyssa
I agree. This should not be occurring in today's' day and age. I think it is time for our country to reflect what we supposedly stand for.
Delete