The good ol' Canadians eh? Living in the harsh winter weather, sporting a toque and riding a polar bear down to the nearest Tim Hortons. Canadians seem to have a wonderful reputation. Viewed as some of the nicest people on earth. If Canada was a human, It'd be that one guy that you barely know but love to be around. Well, that's the dominant discourse at least. Canadians seem to be tucked in by a blanket of stereotypes, which covers the scars of it's past, on its bed of stolen land. These misrepresentations grant Canadians respect, hand in hand with a bit of ridicule, in many parts of the world. Although that may seem like a great thing, it is important to get the full image of this Country and its people. After all, the story that your scars tell are what makes you beautiful, Right?
Although Canadians are represented as loving and accepting in the media, the unfortunate truth is, Canadians can be racist too! The War Measures Act, deemed a "military necessity". During World War 2 This act had allowed for the mass incarceration and unfair treatment of 21,000 Japanese-Canadians. Under suspicions that some Japanese maybe spies. Thousands were forced from their homes into interment camps. Their belongings confiscated and sold at auctions. Men were separated from their families, all Japanese were forced to pay money for their own interment. If they refused to work, they would be sent to jails with barbed-wire fencing. After the war had ended, Japanese were coerced to move away from dense populations. 4,000 Japanese had also been deported back to Japan. After all those security measures were taken, not one Japanese had been convicted of being a spy or even a threat to Canada's security.
Canadians also seem to give a helping hand to other countries when it comes to giving. Has it always been that way though? In the past they seem to grab a heaping load when it comes to taking. One of the things many people may not be aware about the Great Canadians is that they live on stolen land and have played a part in massacring Aboriginal people and their culture. Canada had come into existence by conquering the original inhabitants of the land. To make sure the Canadian culture and presence was rooted into the country, Canadians had also created Residential Schools. They had forcefully taken away Aboriginal Children from their parents and indoctrinated them with their own beliefs and values. Children had to face, physical and sexual abuse, sterilization and murder. That was some of the "true patriot love", Aboriginals had received.
That is just a small glimpse into the history of Canada. But that was the past right? Modern Canadian society is a lot different. Definitely, rather than murdering the rest of the aboriginals, They have just been stuffed into reserves, where we can ignore their pleas, for the fulfillment of contracts for promised land. Canadians have even begun extending a pipeline, through and near their small reserves, without allowing their input into the decision, Isn't that wonderful? Just because Canadians have good stereotypes about them, it does not really prove that they're all that nice. Don't get me wrong a good amount definitely are. But you shouldn't judge and generalize an entire nation based on a few stereotypes. Instead, research and see the facts for yourself. Just remember; No nice guy will be able to tame a beast like the polar bear.
Questions:
Are positive stereotypes a good thing?
How do you feel about the dark history of Canada?
Should we forget about Canada's Past?
Do you like Tim Hortons?
Sources:
http://www.ajic.mb.ca/volumel/chapter5.html
http://www.japanesecanadianhistory.net/the_war_years.htm
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/avrum-rosensweig/canada-residential-schools-_b_1392036.html
Nice Article Mr. Karimzad, to answer your last question, i love Tim Hortons. Now, to answer your third question i would liek to say that we should not forget about Canada's past because Canada has always been unfair to the Aboriginals from the start. Just like you mentioned in your second last paragraph that even in today's modern society they are still neglected and get mistreated my the Canadian government. I think the government should now realize that it is time for them to let the actual inhabitants of Canada to live which ever way they like. Moreover, to touch on the unfair treatment of the Japanese during the WW2, Canada failed miserably to win the hearts and minds of the Japanese after some of them were deported and were being mistreated. Canada indeed has a dark history, but now all that can be leveled once the government of Canada starts handing out proper rights to the Aboriginals to win their support.
ReplyDeleteIf we do go forth with giving aborignals the land we promised them, in turn we would end up, displacing Canadian citizens. what are your thoughts on that?
DeleteThis article is actually really good, nice job Akber. Now to answer your first question, I'm not bothered by the positive stereotypes. I mean I like to think that Canadians are really nice people but when people go so far by saying we use Polar Bears as transportation or that we live in igloos, that is very annoying. For your second question, when I learned about Canada's dark past in history class I was truly surprised. I know countries such as the United States were and are really racist but Canada? I thought no way! Again probably because we're built on the fact that Canada was a well rounded, nice country. Question 3: No I don't think we should forget the past because it was the past that helped Canada became a much better country than it was. The past is a good learning experience and although we have a long way to go in being the "perfect country" we certainly have improved. Finally question 4, I love Tim Hortons, man.
ReplyDeleteThank you Monica! I appreciate it! Do you think if more people were aware of Canada's past, that negative stereotypes would be made?
DeleteIt is the past that teaches, it is with the present that we learn and it is with the future that we be. This is my answer to question 3. Very nice job posting this Akber. We should not forget about Canada's past because it is from the past that we learn and it is with it that we correct our mistakes. Is relation to question 2, i do not resent Canada's past because resenting the past in general is futile. It is of no use and it bears no fruits. All that matters is the present, if there is no present then there can be no future. I would not hate Canada just because of it's dark history. Positive stereotypes can be a good thing and that is why i feel that as long as they are not harmful and do not pose negative consequences, i think that they are fine. In relation to Tim Hortons, i don't care for it.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the interesting reply Fawad, very poetic!
DeleteOh thank you, i learn from the best.
DeleteI would start off by saying how Canadians are usually stereotyped for riding polar bears, saying "eh" , harvesting maple syrup, and having Mounties who ride horses. However, I believe that the media is responsible. For example we see many american TV shows which stereotype Canadians. To answer question # 3 I personally believe that we should not forget about Canada's past since it has shown us how our country has developed over the years. To give you a better example, lets compare how Canada was accusing Japanese of being spies, now over 60 years later were in one of the most diverse country on the planet. People learn from the past, and after reading this post, I actually learned more about Canada's past which is very different from how we live today. In all, positive stereotypes are alright if they are giving a positive message towards the audience. To answer your last question, I love Tim Horton's.
ReplyDeleteGreat post Akber, I think that many Canadians are being stereotyped for how they are being portrayed in media. For example, many american shows feature Canadian police officers riding horses, polar bears, always fishing etc... Also, I believe that Canadians have not been given a negative image, however they have been shown to be different from others. to answer question number 2, I would have to say that people should not forget about Canada's past since the history showed us how much has developed overtime.
ReplyDeleteThe steroptype that "Canadians are nice people" is one I'd like to perpetuate. Does wonders when meeting tourists and other non-Canadians, really gives off a great first impression. While I do agree with you that Canadians haven't always done the morally right thing when it came right down to it, it's still better in comparison to what other countries have done, such as the USA, Russia, etc.
ReplyDelete