Re: Will Canada or Britain ever have a Black/Asian Prime Minister?
Oh god, I hope not, I want Britain to be 'bout British.
Re: Will Canada or Britain ever have a Black/Asian Prime Minister?
Oh god, I hope not, I want Britain to be 'bout British.
Who knows? Of course it might be tricky in the same way as other countries who have racist or xenophobic political parties stirring up trouble. In some areas where there are many numbers of blacks and asians they might welcome it if 'one of their own' got the top job, but there will be others who are opposed or just plain ignorant about it.
Of course the Obama election was mean't to prove that it could work, but with the birth certificate thing it hasn't been plain sailing and I doubt it would be over here. What if a black/asian PM was a devout Muslim? Would that cause friction? It might if people thought his and his parties' policies were concentrated on pushing through Sharia Law as a major system (this inflames debate now, as it is here in some form already).
Of course it's all about the party here, or it's supposed to be anyway so maybe not.
Originally posted by dadudemon
This.Assuming all subcultures are the same, you'd see equal "ethnic" representation in public office.
That's not happening so it's a legit question. Is it subculture that prevents, say, African Americans from having a 13% representation in politics? (That's fairly easy to figure out: just add up all the blacks and then all the other races...then see if the blacks have 13% representation in government...question answered).
That's for Canada, btw. Not sure about America.
Identity politics don't play the same way in Canada. I don't think a "black" politician, or a "Asian" politician, or whatever, would do very well by trying to appeal to identity politics. That type of stuff is more non-governmental groups and lobbying, rather than the way race plays a major role in political identity in America.
However, this is not true of either francophone or native political leaders, where identity politics end up meaning much more, and are very often manipulated by these leaders as a form of leverage against the broader political spectrum (for instance, Native leaders seem most interested in protecting traditional rights and practices when it gives them the ability to leverage their community in a way that gets them a far paycheque).
This "black" thing just isn't the same in Canada. not that we don't have racists, its just not a major part of politics.
Originally posted by inimalist
Identity politics don't play the same way in Canada. I don't think a "black" politician, or a "Asian" politician, or whatever, would do very well by trying to appeal to identity politics. That type of stuff is more non-governmental groups and lobbying, rather than the way race plays a major role in political identity in America.However, this is not true of either francophone or native political leaders, where identity politics end up meaning much more, and are very often manipulated by these leaders as a form of leverage against the broader political spectrum (for instance, Native leaders seem most interested in protecting traditional rights and practices when it gives them the ability to leverage their community in a way that gets them a far paycheque).
This "black" thing just isn't the same in Canada. not that we don't have racists, its just not a major part of politics.
What province do you reside in inimalist?
Originally posted by inimalist
Identity politics don't play the same way in Canada. I don't think a "black" politician, or a "Asian" politician, or whatever, would do very well by trying to appeal to identity politics. That type of stuff is more non-governmental groups and lobbying, rather than the way race plays a major role in political identity in America.However, this is not true of either francophone or native political leaders, where identity politics end up meaning much more, and are very often manipulated by these leaders as a form of leverage against the broader political spectrum (for instance, Native leaders seem most interested in protecting traditional rights and practices when it gives them the ability to leverage their community in a way that gets them a far paycheque).
This "black" thing just isn't the same in Canada. not that we don't have racists, its just not a major part of politics.
Not that I don't believe you...but do you have, generally, equal racial representation in your government? If not, you could have a clue about subtle racism in Canada OR it's a picture of ethnic subculture.
I would like there to be a country that is color blind (concerning Sub-Saharan Africans). Not even good ol' Canada is color blind, eh?
Originally posted by dadudemon
Not that I don't believe you...but do you have, generally, equal racial representation in your government? If not, you could have a clue about subtle racism in Canada OR it's a picture of ethnic subculture.I would like there to be a country that is color blind (concerning Sub-Saharan Africans). Not even good ol' Canada is color blind, eh?
I think you missed my point
its not that there aren't hurdles to minorities becoming part of the political establishment, but the problem isnt the unwillingness of the electorate to vote for them. Poverty, ostracism, ingroup/outgroup, identity stuff, sure, it is all still there, but like, compared to how that stuff plays with the American electorate (forget birthers, the whole nonsense with "real americans" and such is in itself a great example of what I'm talking about). You would never see a minority canadian politician asked for a birth certificate.
A black or asian politician in Canada is almost certainly not going to face the criticism of not being "Canadian" or "patriotic" enough, those issues play almost no role in our politics afaik.
its not even to say this as a value judgement, it is easily arguable that identity politics may produce more minority politicians, i dont know. it is just, in terms of what I assume the point of this thread was, the issues being addressed are almost non-existent in our electoral politics. like, we do have identity politics, but they focus their influence through the courts or human rights commission
EDIT: the direct answer is, no, our political establishment does not represent the racial diversity of our nation, nor does it represent gender diversity.
Originally posted by inimalist
I think you missed my pointEDIT: the direct answer is, no, our political establishment does not represent the racial diversity of our nation, nor does it represent gender diversity.
Honestly, you missed mine both times. However, you answered it in your edit.
That's all I was after. 😄
There is definitely racism in Canada. The small town I went to high school had a Halloween costume party at the Legion a few years ago. Some guy came dressed as a KKK member with his friend in black face hanging from a nose on his back. That isn't even the worst part. The worst part is that guy won the costume contest...
... and that was the larger more progressive town I had to take a 30 minute bus ride to every morning to get to school.
Southern Ontario. 😮
Originally posted by srankmissingnin
There is definitely racism in Canada. The small town I went to high school had a Halloween costume party at the Legion a few years ago. Some guy came dressed as a KKK member with his friend in black face hanging from a nose on his back. That isn't even the worst part. The worst part is that guy won the costume contest...... and that was the larger more progressive town I had to take a 30 minute bus ride to every morning to get to school.
Southern Ontario. 😮
Well, in an unracist world, we can make fun of the past happenings including our stupid racism.
It wouldn't be kosher to do in the US, for sure.
Originally posted by inimalist
This "black" thing just isn't the same in Canada. not that we don't have racists, its just not a major part of politics.
Haven't studied Canadian history in-depth but racial conflict with blacks doesn't seem to be a major part of it's history. I also suspect that there are a fewer percentage of black people in Canada than America.
Originally posted by Deadline
Haven't studied Canadian history in-depth but racial conflict with blacks doesn't seem to be a major part of it's history.
as we were part of the British Empire, we ended slavery much earlier than did America, and the underground railroad did end here. There are also some differences between the type and severity of slavery depending on where the slave was "working" (what is the better term?). There was an identity issue among white slave holders in the southern united states that afaik wasn't as prominent among the british
That being said, canadian history is full of terrible treatment of ethnic minorities, including blacks, and it isn't completely perfect today
Originally posted by Deadline
I also suspect that there are a fewer percentage of black people in Canada than America.
yes, especially outside of major city centers
Re: Re: Will Canada or Britain ever have a Black/Asian Prime Minister?
Originally posted by Bardock42
Oh god, I hope not, I want Britain to be 'bout British.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
Come on, if these are the people who are supossed to be defenders of Britian then you might as well just give up right now.
This just makes the Asian takeover of Britain more easy IMHO.