http://www.tccmcc.mb.ca/impact.

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CULTURAL & RACIAL STEREOTYPES & IMPACT

Introduction

Racism as defined in Article I (1) of the International

Convention on the Elimination of Racial
Discrimination:

" Any distinction, exclusion, restriction or preference

based on race, color, descent, or national or ethnic origin
which has the purpose or effect of nullifying or impairing
the recognition, enjoyment or exercise on an equal
footing, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the
political, economic, social, cultural or any other field of
public life."

Note: Canada is a signatory to the above International

Convention

In addition to the above international definition of racism, it would be complete

to define what stereotype signifies. Stereotype is an oversimplified, often
false, mental picture or preconceived view of a particular person, idea or
thing. This is often related to racism which may be further defined as a form
of prejudice which leads to discrimination against individuals or groups based
on their color or ethnic origin. It also includes religious identity. It is a
negative act which excludes people without a fair examination of the facts or
an application of equality and justice. In its extreme, it is a superiority
complex over others.

The following will outline the key cultural and racial stereotypes of the East
Indian community in Canada and the impact upon the community as-a-whole.
This can also apply to other ethno cultural minority communities.

Cultural & Racial Stereotypes and Impact

External to the Community

The underlying and common characteristic of the East Indian community

members in Canada is that they are members of the “visible minorities". This
signifies that they are a part of the minorities from ethno cultural communities
who are 'non-white' in color, non-aboriginal or 'non-Caucasian' in race. An
individual can self-identify as a visible minority person on Census Canada
queries or in other instances such as, employment applications. As reported
in the 1996 census by Statistics Canada, 11.2% identified themselves as
being members of the visible minority ethno cultural groups, including East
Indians.

As a part of policy, programs and actions in the public and private sectors,
efforts are being made to eliminate the discrimination and the exclusion of
visible minorities from the mainstream by providing them with equal
opportunities and full participation in all spheres of life.

One example is the employment practice in the Public Service, as per the
Employment Equity Act. In keeping with the legislation on employment
equity, hiring practices are required to target visible minorities for
employment. This action must be in line with the number available and the
required qualifications for the jobs. In certain cases, when a position is
available and a visible minority applicant is qualified, that person gains priority
in hiring over other equally qualified ' white' applicants to meet the
employment equity target. There are no quotas but accountable efforts must
be made to reach the target levels in reasonable time frames.

As a result of this policy and actions towards East Indians and others, many
non-visible minority people resent this and label it as "reverse discrimination".
They do not realize or accept that this action is an interim commitment
towards a need to level the employment playing field which has been largely
dominated by the majority’ whites '. Till the necessary changes take place, the
affirmative action is appropriate and necessary towards equality and justice in
the public workplace.

There are cultural misunderstandings and stereotypes that all East Indians
are "Hindus’ or "Sikhs". The East Indian community is culturally, religiously
and linguistically diverse as multicultural Canada as a whole. There are
varied sub-ethnic groups of different religions with varied languages in the
community.

They do not just speak the stereotype "Hindu" or "Hindi". Many languages
are spoken, including the home language such as, Punjabi (most frequently
reported home language in the East Indian community - Census 1996). There
are increasing numbers in the new generation who are multilingual and
officially bilingual which provides additional advantages to East Indian job-
seekers in the growing need for an effective workforce in Canada.

The first generation East Indians tend to have particular accents when
speaking the official languages, English and French. This often sets them
aside when job-seeking or engaging in public transactions such as, sales. In
a similar manner, the majority anilingual French or English persons are
gradually being accommodated as they learn and 'accent’ the second
language. The same respect and understanding should apply to first
generation East Indians adapting to a 'second language’ in their new
homeland.
Like the other visible minority communities in Canada, the East Indians suffer
the negative impact of racial discrimination towards them as a community and
on an individual basis. Starting at an early age, parents and children in the
mainstream can pass on misinformation and negative stereotypes on
minorities which can do immediate and long-term damage in Multicultural
Canada.

For example, there have been many incidents in schools where the minority
East Indian students who look different are often called pejorative names such
as, "Paki" “turban heads" or “snake charmers". This requires appropriate
conflict resolution to ensure respect for one another, equality and non-
violence. In addition, schools have multicultural and race relations policies
and education programs to advance positive intercultural and race relations
and eliminate racism.

In the workplace, many East Indians feel left out when it comes to recognition
and advancement in their trade or profession, whether they are educated or
trained in Canada or overseas. In housing and varied services in the public
forum they may also be looked down upon and excluded. Many of these
attitudes and incidents have led to tension, conflict and court challenges.
These negative attitudes and actions towards minorities often lead to ill-
health, undue expenses and periods of poverty. With human rights
legislation, court actions and public education these undue attitudes and
behavior are being challenged by individuals and institutions.

Vis-à-vis religious identity, the Muslims, for example, find that there is the
inflexible and biased image of Islam and its followers as' fundamentalist' and
'militant’ that spreads by the’ sword'. It is a widespread stereotype that has
been forged by people who see Islam as the 'enemy' via the focus of the
media. There are ongoing public misconceptions and prejudice which lead to
discriminatory behavior towards Muslims. There is a clear need for public
education on the Islamic community-at-large and for a better understanding
and portrayal of Islam and its practices by the mainstream and the media.

In the case of the Hindus, they are often misconceived as 'heathens' or

'pagans', who worship many gods and goddesses - little recognizing the
underlying depth of the religious belief in One Ultimate God or Brahman.
Furthermore, people often purchase the religious 'artifacts’ without realizing
the sacred value of these gods, goddesses and symbols. Like the sacred
Crucifix in the Christian tradition, they too must be held in due respect.

East Indians are often looked down upon as coming from the
"underdeveloped" third world of their countries-of-origin whose culture and
development is not as "advanced” as Canada. People who make these
judgments are frozen in time and unaware that first generation East Indians
are coming from modernizing and very sophisticated countries-of-origin.
Members of the community are highly qualified and capable of contributing to
Canada in all spheres when they are given equal opportunities.
On a more basic level, there is the stereotype that all East Indian food is “hot
curry” and that it "smells". People should realize that there are many ethnic
subgroups within the community with a variety of dishes and spices.
Furthermore, it is interesting to note that for centuries European explorers
came in search of spices in the East and landed on American soil to call the
inhabitants ' Indians'. With further exploration, time and experience people
are now getting familiar with the variety of East Indian cooking and the distinct
flavors. What is more, East Indians are distinguished from the aboriginal
people or native people of Canada.

Within the Community.

Within the East Indian community, on account of its own diversity, there are
also some misunderstandings and tensions amongst members on account of
the complex and unique historical past in the counties-of-origin. This leads to
stereotypes and prejudicial behavior.

For example, some members of the community carry over particular

stereotype and discriminatory patterns from their past such as, the search for
'fair skin' or same caste (social structure) brides in paid announcements in
ethno cultural newspapers. There is a need to surpass a 'superiority-
inferiority' complex by "skin color' and social and economic status.

There is also tension with the new generation as each adapts and integrates
in the "mainstream" of a culturally and racially diverse society. Hence it is not
abnormal for many of them to cross ethno-specific and racial lines in profound
and meaningful experiences such as dating and marriage. Many of the first
generation parents look down on such actions and in extreme cases, cut off
relations within the family or with the outside diverse members. Cross-cultural
and racial. Understanding and accommodation are the challenges facing all
Canadians.

There are also tensions and conflicts within the community on account of
homeland political disturbances such as the Sikh movement towards an
autonomous or independent state of Khalistan in India. At an extreme, this
has led to violence and deaths. Suffice it to say that such extreme and tragic
incidents are exceptions and by no means a reflection of the Sikh community
in Canada. The stereotype of Sikh-Canadians as being "aggressive" and "
inward-looking" needs to be corrected within the East Indian community and
by the public-at-large.

Conclusion

The above varied misconceptions and biased views often lead to

misunderstanding whereby East Indians are overtly or subtly excluded from
the mainstream or among each other. In the Canadian and global village
context, much of these misinformed views and stereotypes are gradually
being corrected in the mainstream, particularly through the younger
generation in the evolving culturally and racially diverse Canada.
Racial discrimination and related harassment and exclusion incidents can hurt
individuals, families and the community-at-large by doing damage to self-
respect, dignity, equality and full participation by diverse East Indians who
make a wide range of contributions to Canada's growth.

Hence, on March 21, the International Day for the Elimination of Racial
Discrimination, we are actively reminded and made aware across
multicultural, multiracial and multireligious Canada that there must be zero
tolerance for racism and exclusion in all its forms. The March 21 initiative in
annual public education is sponsored by the Department of Canadian
Heritage Multiculturalism to ensure that the commitment to eliminate racial
discrimination is ongoing. The bottom line is individual and social justice.

There is also the national Race Relations Foundation which is based in

Toronto and local organizations such as, the National Capital Alliance of
Race Relations, Ottawa which monitor racist incidents and activities and
provide research, advice and support. In the final analysis, it is for individuals,
communities, private and public institutions to consistently take all the
necessary measures to address the cultural stereotypes and racism in our
midst.

In private and public institutions there is the regular provision of intercultural

and race relations training and conflict resolution programs. Many institutions
such as the RCMP are taking lead actions to be fully inclusive through
accountable policies and actions in response to cultural and racial diversity.

People should realize that even the term' East Indian' needs to be dissected
in order to recognize the diversity within the East Indian community. The
varied members of the East Indian community do not form one integrated bloc
or lobby group to advance their contributions and to correct the stereotypes
and racism. Similar to other minority ethno cultural communities, persons are
also evolving and positively integrating in pluralistic Canada and maintaining
the varied ancestry and heritage.

One of the national organizations that is making this viable is the national
Canadian Ethno cultural Council in Ottawa. The Council is an umbrella
organization which makes ongoing efforts to represent over thirty ethno
cultural and racial minorities in support of equality, full participation and justice
for all.

In conclusion, the East Indian community is a’ community of communities' of

diverse religions, sub-ethnic groups and languages which is making ongoing
efforts to work in local and national ethno cultural associations and religious
centers. This forms an integral part of the challenges of living in Canada with
its Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the unique Canadian
Multiculturalism Act.