Taking Responsibility, Taking Direction: White Anti-racism in CanadaWilmot argues that the participation of white progressives in anti-racist movements and organizations in Canada badly needs an overhaul. With this thesis, she begins her assessment of anti-racist movements in Canada by guiding the reader through a summary of the ugly history and legacy of Canada's racist colonial past, and reveals that racism remains an urgent problem today, despite the passing of centuries. Racism in Canada is inextricably linked with capitalism, class, and sexism, and the state promotes it with its laws that systemically exploit Aboriginals and people of colour, and privilege whites, despite its claim that Canada is a multicultural and democratic nation. Using concrete examples from her extensive activist experiences, Wilmot illustrates her argument that white progressives who aim to unite with people of colour against racist oppression must examine and possibly challenge their personal, political, and theoretical ideologies and acknowledge their privileged societal position, if they are to translate anti-racist ideas into effective action, and furthermore, help educate other "white folks" into taking up the cause in an informed manner. White leftists must cast aside political sectarianism and engage with Aboriginals and people of colour as equals when they assist with organizing constructive anti-racist organizations and movements. The balance between taking responsibility and taking direction is oftentimes tenuous at best, Wilmot suggests, but it is essential that in the fight against white oppression, white leftists come to the table in solidarity, rather than come as silent aides, or the opposite -- come and paternalistically and patronizingly appropriate theorganization. Wilmot devotes a significant section of her book to highlighting and evaluating various anti-racist organizations and anti-rac |
From inside the book
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Page 78
... involved in generating racist ideas and action , and that we are therefore not responsible for those ideas because those perspectives simply explain our world to us . Leaving it there also builds no connection with the significant ...
... involved in generating racist ideas and action , and that we are therefore not responsible for those ideas because those perspectives simply explain our world to us . Leaving it there also builds no connection with the significant ...
Page 143
... involved in assessing the use of different tactics . For example , if a petition is suggested , how will it be used to best push politicians and continue to build the involve- ment of more people ? Can it be used at both meetings with ...
... involved in assessing the use of different tactics . For example , if a petition is suggested , how will it be used to best push politicians and continue to build the involve- ment of more people ? Can it be used at both meetings with ...
Page 146
... involved in developing the organizing strategies . As well , unions must be flexible and provide , for example , child care and transportation sup- port to organizers with family and community commitments . It is also important to have ...
... involved in developing the organizing strategies . As well , unions must be flexible and provide , for example , child care and transportation sup- port to organizers with family and community commitments . It is also important to have ...
Contents
Acknowledgements | 4 |
What I Mean When I | 21 |
An AntiRacist Feminist Look | 37 |
Copyright | |
4 other sections not shown
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Aboriginal Aboriginal women action agency Ahooja analysis and/or anti-racist activism anti-racist education Anti-Racist Feminism Anti-Racist Feminist Thought anti-racist organizing Arbeiter Ring Publishing Bannerji building campaign Canadian Anti-Racist Feminist Canadian Labour Congress capitalism capitalist challenge colonizers context cultural CUPE Dionne Brand Enakshi Dua European example exploitation fight Fractious Politics Gender Himani Bannerji historical Ibid ideas identity integrated involved Jean Stefancic Linda Carty lives look migrants movement Multiculturalism multiracial nation NOII-Montréal non-status ongoing outreach Peggy McIntosh political relationships postmodernism programs Race Traitor racial resistance responsibility Richard Delgado ruling class sexism social relations society solidarity specific strategy structural struggle supremacy and racism systemic taking tion understanding union unionists University Press wages white activists white anti-racism white folks white leftists white privilege white racism white supremacy white women white workers Whiteness Studies women of colour Women's Press workers of colour working-class workplaces workshop