The racialization of immigrants in Canada – a historical investigation how race still matters

Abstract

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the discursive ways in which racialization affects the integration process of immigrants in present-day Canada. By drawing on a historical analysis, this paper shows how race continues to be impacted by colonial principles implemented throughout the colonization process and during the formation stages of Canada as a nation. This paper contributes to management and organizational studies by shedding light on the taken-for-granted nature of discursive practices in organizations through problematizing contemporary societal and political engagements with “race”. Design/methodology/approach This paper draws on critical diversity studies as theoretical framework to problematize a one-dimensional approach to race and diversity. Further, it applies the Foucauldian historical method (Foucault, 1981) to trace the construction of “race” over time and to show its impact on present-day discursive practices. Findings Through a discursive review of Canada’s past, this paper shows how seemingly non-discriminatory race-related concepts and policies such as “visible minority” contribute to the marginalization of non-white individuals, racializing them. Multiculturalism and neoliberal globalization are identified as further mechanisms in such a racialization process. Originality/value This paper illustrates the importance of a historical contextualization to shed light on present workplace discrimination and challenges unproblematic approaches to workplace diversity.

Reverse Inclusion: Black Francophones in the Interface between Anti‐Black Racism and Linguicism

“…However, these patterns do not apply to all immigrants in Canada equitably, for it illustrates a segmented assimilation (Boyd 2013; Reitz 2016) in which some groups go through the phases smoothly while others endure downward mobility or remain in a lower level in the social ladder. This stratification is caused by racism and racialization (Galabuzi 2006; Krysa, Paludi, and Mills 2019; Omni and Winnant 2014) that impacts people's lives and identities differentially, allowing some racial groups to enjoy resources while alienating others. In addition, Breton (2005) contends that commitment or shortcomings on the part of “people” and “the collectivity” determine the outcomes of the phases, and this aspect is also shaped by power relations that in turn influence the segmented assimilation.…”

Decolonizing 'integration': a post-colonial analysis of immigrant 'integration' in Canada & Germany

“…Referring to the field of migration research, the hegemonic or dominant discourses and subjugated or illegitimate discourses are produced by processes such as the sanctioning, including, excluding, valuing, and devaluing of certain concepts, ideas, language, words and people of different origins. Krysa et al (2019) argues that it is essential to create awareness around the prevalence of colonial binaries in our way of producing knowledge so that we can challenge our assumptions on an individual and societal level. Research on migration and integration still very much remains in the hands of the Global North.…”

“…The historical analysis of Canada's immigration past helps to problematize the presentday practice of race, and other discursive institutional and societal practices that contribute to marginalization of immigrants ( Krysa et al, 2019). Krysa et al (2019) argues "race and its colonial ideological principles continue to play a crucial role in immigrants' experiences and their integration process in Canada" (p. 98). Racialization is "the process by which societies construct races as real, different and unequal in ways that matter to economic, political and social life (Ontario Human Rights Commission, 2018).…”

“…Racialization thus categorizes the self and the other based on biological features and therefore creates real societal structures that give preferable treatment to the in-group members while marginalizing the 'other'. Krysa et al (2019) argue that upon arrival to Canada the non-white immigrants become part of the discourse of race that legitimizes the political process of differentiation. Under the discursive practice of 'diversity' in Canada, 'whiteness' serves as the norm and the point of reference, therefore depicting the white population as 'raceless', where 'others' represent a deviation from such standard (Nkomo, 1992;Mukherjee, 1994;Zanoni et al, 2010 as cited in Krysa et al, 2019).…”

“…Krysa et al (2019) argue that upon arrival to Canada the non-white immigrants become part of the discourse of race that legitimizes the political process of differentiation. Under the discursive practice of 'diversity' in Canada, 'whiteness' serves as the norm and the point of reference, therefore depicting the white population as 'raceless', where 'others' represent a deviation from such standard (Nkomo, 1992;Mukherjee, 1994;Zanoni et al, 2010 as cited in Krysa et al, 2019). The next part of the chapter explores how Canada's national identity as a settler society with the neo colonial notions of 'diversity' and 'multiculturalism' dominates the discourse of 'integration' of immigrants.…”