Book Description

Canadians like to think that they judge people on merit, not skin colour. But are we really colour-blind? Although Canada has an international reputation for welcoming cultural and ethnic diversity, race remains a profound influence in our society, affecting everything from self-perceptions to interpersonal relationships to interactions between the individual and the state. The Politics of Race in Canada deconstructs the myth of Canada's racelessness. Its 24 selections (among them two documents from the early twentieth century and several new essays, published here for the first time) explore the principles, practices, and polemics of race in this country from a broad range of perspectives, academic and otherwise. Designed specifically for courses in the sociology of race and ethnicity, this text will also enrich the study of race in history, anthropology, women's studies, and political science courses. New as well as previously published selections by specialists from many different disciplines offer students a multitude of perspectives on a complex topic. Concluding section focuses students' attention on resistance to traditional ways of thinking about race and ethnicity. Part introductions and study questions encourage critical thinking. Recommended websites and readings suggest new directions for research. Book jacket.