Introduction of Canadian History in the Context of Racism and Discrimination

Canada is very famous due to its history and its related events. After Russia, Canada is the second largest country that exists in the continent of North America and occupying roughly the northern two-fifths. It is also one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world. Officially the Canada is bilingual in French and English. French explore the name of Canada in 16^th century related to area that around the settlement. The Canada name is also used as synonym of New France. Of the commonwealth, Canada has been an influential member and also considers a player of organization in the French related countries. It has been active in a number of major UN agencies and other worldwide operations and also found the member of United Nations. It also joined the organization of American states and also signed with the United States a free trade agreement in 1989 that showed a viable impact by the North American free trade agreement in 1992 as superseded. Canada also member of group of eight that include the seven largest industrial democracies also include Russia that was in 2014 suspended from the member ship of free trade agreement. Canada’s national capital is Ottawa that is known as the fourth largest city. Canada first and second city in terms of population and economic, cultural and educational importance named as Toronto and Montreal. Vancouver is the third largest city in Canada   that is principal western gateway to Canada’s developing interior (Krueger, 2019)

Racial Discrimination in Canada and Recent News of Trudeau’s Blackface

            It is quite sad to see that black people in white communities have always faced racial discrimination and prejudice, which always kept them away from their rights. Canada is one of the progressive and liberal countries in the world, but the fact of the matter is that racial discrimination and the anti-black sentiment is still prevalent in the Canadian society, which has continued from the past. One of the latest news came regarding the Prime Minister of Canada, Mr. Justin Trudeau. The video and pictures of Trudeau’s have gone viral on the internet, as he is performing something at the age of 19 years old with blackface. The news has gone viral all over the world, and Justin Trudeau had to face a lot of criticism due to these leaked pictures and videos. This news is evidence that racial discrimination, as well as an anti-black perspective, is very much alive in the Canadian society from the past, and it is still haunting the black community. The news has revealed that at the time of the event, Trudeau was a teacher, and this event was held in his school. After news spread all over the world, the Canadian Prime Minister had to apologize for his past behavior. He wrote on his official Twitter handle that“What I did was hurtful to people who live with intolerance and discrimination every day. I recognize that, and I take full responsibility for it. I know that I let a lot of people down with that choice, and I am deeply sorry” (Howard, 2019)

            It is good to see that Justin Trudeau realized his mistake, accepted it without any justification, and apologized. But why this feeling was not realized at the time, when he did so. It happened because anti-black prejudice and racial discrimination have always been there in Canadian society. Canada has a legal history related to racism, where black people had to suffer a lot (Backhouse, 1999). It is important to know that racism dates back to the era when the settlement was being made in Canada. For instance, when East Indian immigrants came to Canada along with the Komagata Maru, and when they tried to enter Vancouver, the entry for them was refused, and even the issue got violent. It again proves that racism was part of Canadian history, and it continues to be something, which could not have been mitigated from the Canadian society (Walker, 2008)

Conclusion of Canadian History in the Context of Racism and Discrimination

            After looking at the overall history of Canada, along with history relevant to racism and racial discrimination, it is concluded that Canadian society has been showing the essence of anti-black sentiment. The black people in Canada had to struggle for their rights and they always stayed behind from white people in every sphere of life. They have not been made part of the mainstream, as white people are. The news regarding Justin Trudeau’s blackface was just another proof that how black people have been targeted and ridiculed in Canada. The sad part is that racism and racial discrimination with the black community is still prevalent in Canada even in this modern era, where so much has changed in all aspects.

References of Canadian History in the Context of Racism and Discrimination

Backhouse, C. (1999). Colour-coded: A Legal History of Racism in Canada, 1900-1950 (reprint Edition ed.). University of Toronto Press.

Howard, P. S. (2019). Trudeau in blackface: A symptom of Canada’s widespread anti-Black racism. Retrieved December 4, 2019, from https://theconversation.com/trudeau-in-blackface-a-symptom-of-canadas-widespread-anti-black-racism-123889

Krueger, N. L. (2019, december 3). Canada. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/place/Canada/Land

Walker, B. (2008). The History of Immigration and Racism in Canada: Essential Readings (illustrated Edition ed.). Canadian Scholars’ Press