Changing Roles and Perspectives
For this blog assignment, I would like you to research and summarize one of the state or governing activities, such as The Royal Proclamation 1763, the Indian Act 1876, Immigration Act 1910, or the Multiculturalism Act 1989 – you choose the legislation or policy or commission you find most interesting. Write a blog about your findings and in your conclusion comment on whether or not your findings support Coleman’s argument about the project of white civility. –Dr. Erika Paterson
For this assignment, I’ve decided to focus on Japanese Canadian Internment, which I believe is a relevant topic for thought in the current climate within Canada. Not solely restricted to Vancouver, there has been tension boiling within communities with the sentiment that non-Canadian Chinese are causing property prices to skyrocket. Speaking from a third-person point of view, I am not Canadian, my ancestry is however, Chinese, but my family was born in Singapore. Considering the recent unhappiness, I believe it is pertinent to take a look back into history in order to avoid creating discontent within society and potential acts of racism as had been before.
Japanese Internment saw many (Japanese) Canadians suffer especially after World War II, many of whom were forced to leave Canada despite them having traceable lineage within Canada. A B.C. cabinet member even stated, “It is the governments plan to get these people out of B.C. as fast as possible. It is my personal intention, as long as I remain in public life, to see they never come back here. Let our slogan be for British Columbia: No Japs from the Rockies to the seas.'” (“Japanese Internment”). I believe there was an irrational fear and blame attributed at the time for which is common in situations as such within politics. With ideas based on stereotypes and ignorance, a growing sentiment of discontent often allows one’s own views to become blurred, jumping on the bandwagon and supporting such unconstitutional ideas.
As a student here in Canada and studying Canadian literature, it is thus very interesting to read about Canadian history. The First Nations saw the first European settlers as alien to the land, whilst the latter later saw migrants of other races as the aliens, using the excuse of war to subject other humans to vile atrocities, not considering themselves as in fact the ones who are alien. This assignment was very interesting as it once again brought on the recurring theme of perspectives I have seemed to discover through Canadian literature.
Our variance in points of views extend from “who was here first” to “who is allowed to buy property here”. On a less academic note, I have read comments on Buzzfeed and VancityBuzz regarding the rise in housing prices in Vancouver due to foreign investors. There often were commenters of Chinese race who were fortunate to attain Canadian citizenship earlier on, and are now turning the tables on their previous countrymen, asking them to ‘go back to where they came from’. It’s interesting to observe the altered mindsets of people who are able to speak from so to say ‘privileged’ points of view. My apologies for rambling but I hope my points regarding the necessity for being aware of perspectives shines through!
Works Cited
“From Racism to Redress: The Japanese Canadian Experience.” Canadian Race Relations Foundation Online. n.d. Web. 26 June 2015.
Glavin, Terry. “Glavin: Canada’s Unhappy Affair With Chinese Billionaires.” Ottawa Citizen. 22 April 2015, Web. 26 June 2015.
“Japanese Internment: British Columbia Wages War Against Japanese Canadians.” CBC Learning Online. n.d. Web. 26 June 2015.
Paterson, Erika. “Lesson 3:1.” ENGL 470A: Canadian Studies. University of British Columbia Department of English, May 2015. Web. 26 June 2015.
Hi Debra!
I loved how you related this weeks post to the recent controversy in Vancouver regarding the housing market and the role of foreign investors. I have always felt very uncomfortable with the way people have talked about the situation because I felt like there was this unacknowledged agreement of putting a “Chinese” face on the problem, and felt like it was an excuse or coverup for people to disguise ideas that were racial exclusion and discrimination. It’s interesting that you mention that it seems like many of the commenters are of Chinese descent themselves, with this notion of them turning the table on their previous country men, and I think it shows that this type of “project of white civility” has multiple layers where those who feel they now “fit into” the identity of Canada, have the right to reject others who are more “newly” immigrated.
Hi Freda!
Thanks for your comment. Did you know that a recent study has actually shown that, in particular, Downtown Vancouver housing is owned mostly by persons of Iranian descent? Globalization has caused migration and it is necessary for improvement, in my opinion! What’s interesting is that ‘white’ expatriates in Asian countries get paid almost twice of their Asian counterparts, get allocated free luxury housing (bigger than Vancouver on a monetary scale). Baseless stereotypes only serve to be harmful- we must all strive to ignore them!
Hey Debra, Freda recommended me check out your post. Glad I did. (If you’re interested, I did my post on the Chinese Head Tax and Exclusion Act).
I think the Japanese Internment episode in Canadian history kind of parallels the racial profiling the US has used on Arabic and Muslim peoples after 9/11. On one hand, it’s blatant racism, stereotyping, and assumption. On the other hand, it’s true that many anti-American people (like ISIS) have been Arabic/Muslim. At what point is “to be on the safe side” justified? I do find it ironic, however. Shouldn’t the more you oppress a group of people, the angrier they’ll get, the more likely they’ll attack you back?
In response to your observation that “commenters of Chinese race who were fortunate to attain Canadian citizenship earlier on […] are now turning the tables on their previous countrymen, asking them to ‘go back to where they came from'”, I understand this sentiment perfectly well as a Canadian-born Chinese growing up here and witnessing this phenomenon take place. I think the general frustration people have is when immigrants come here just to buy property and get a passport, not to learn the language or contribute to the country by actually living and working here. However, again, these are just assumptions of “oh that’s what these people do.” For example, it’s actually not that easy to get a job here if your English proficiency is limited but your education/contribution level is high.
So, I think we’re still stuck in an us vs. them mentality. One thing I do know for sure is that Canada needs immigrants because we have so little people. I wonder if we’ll ever be able to reconcile this need with our us vs. them mentality?
Hey Charmaine,
Thanks for your reply! Will head on over to your blog tomorrow to take a look! Thanks for sharing!
I think it’s difficult to reconcile an us vs them problem- these exist on a global scale and between varying parties all the time… Cultures will continue to clash, values of communities, race of course always being an elephant in the room! Vancouver is definitely not the exception! And there lies the problem of globalization! But then again there is a need for it… It’s hard but perhaps on personal levels we can strive individually to pay less attention to stereotypes… Perhaps idealistic but hopefully a reality one day!
Wow. Stunning blog post and comments.
History truly does repeat itself. I also want to applaud you tackling such important topics. I’m glad you delved deeper into these issues, I touched briefly on racism in my blog as well. That quote from the British Cabinet minister sickened me. As a White male who grew up in BC and studied in public schools I was taught that Japanese Internment happened, as well as residential schools, but I feel like the subject matter was softened out of governmental shame. As a future teacher, I want to ask you what you think upcoming students should know about this period? And how would you suggest presenting it?
Hi James,
Thank you for your comments!
I think what is so beautiful about our ability to record history is what it does for our generation and those to follow. It’s interesting to note the varying ways in which one event can be retold or taught in school for example. Some countries, such as Japan and Germany have gone the extra mile in acknowledging the ‘sins of their fathers’- of course atrocities committed during World War II were done by only a few (who currently still live), but they have acknowledge and tried to atone for the travesties.
It is idealistic to say that history or morals can be taught in a ‘correct’ way to students- it’s subjective and varies on perspectives. Perhaps the best way would be to acknowledge presence of perspectives, tolerance and understanding of different points in time, after all we are all human and trying to get by in our different ways!
Hi Debra,
This blog really makes me think about a movie called The Vancouver Asahi. It’s shot in Japan, but set in Vancouver – which you can scarcely believe because their recreation of Japan Town in the 1930’s is so realistic you could swear you recognize each locale. Basically, it is about a Japanese baseball team that is completely outclassed by bigger, burlier Canadians; that is, until they start playing “smart ball.” By out-competing everyone, they gain the respect of their opponents and their whole neighbourhood. Then, Pearl Harbor happens, and they are interned. Just like that, they are separated from each other and a home that is finally beginning to accept them. It reminds me of Charmaine’s post, and how the Chinese Exclusion Act separated Chinese people from their families in a way that seemed deliberate.
I’ve seen that “recent controversy” surrounding Chinese people and property taxes and I just don’t buy it–I’ve been hearing that for a looong time, there’s nothing “recent” about it. There might be some truth to it, but don’t blame Asian people, blame real estate agents. It’s ridiculous to praise capitalism as some great thing, then bitch and moan when it doesn’t benefit you. I have a lot of Asian friends, and have never understood the argument that “they aren’t even here half the time”; like, do you see how many Asian people there are in school? You can’t complain that they aren’t working and then complain that they’re taking your jobs–you can’t have it both ways.
That being said, I think most people understand those accusations are unfair.
Sorry for my rambling, your’s inspired it.
Best regards,
Evan
Hi Evan,
Thank you for your reply and for letting me know about that movie! It seems interesting and I’ll definitely grab a look at it- history-esque movies have always been my weakness.
I like your view on the situation, it’s a hard pill for us all to swallow when something doesn’t go our way, it’s not restricted to Canadians in Canada! If only more people were educated on the inevitable rise of such problems as a result of globalization… I feel that everyone can perhaps exist in a ‘happier’ manner with one another!