Link: for Muslim Hate in England: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFGt4_Efv6Y
Muslim Hate in England is a video I found on YouTube. This video studies how society in immigrants and refugees are facing issues of racism and prejudice in England. Tammanna Rahman goes under covers as a housewife who speaks very little English In England to investigate the racism in England. Tammanna was born in England but her family is from Bangladesh and she is Muslim. Tammanna goes to Southmead where the majority is white working class and racism tensions are high. The results Tammanna find are shocking, when Tammanna goes out to go shopping she is harassed by citizens by having rocks thrown at her and being called a ‘Paki.’ Tammanna is scared within a couple of days at her stay in Southmead, Tammanna and is reduced to tears. Tammanna is a victim for radicalized insults and being accused of being a terrorist. I think it is sad that Tammanna can not feel safe in this neighborhood and is a subject to radicalized abuse. It would horrifying if an immigrant from south Asian descent had to move to this community and would be in shock by the cruelty of people and the racism played out in society. There are some individuals that Tammanna interacts with that are not judgment towards her and help her with directions in the city. This shows how we may perceive society as being multicultural that racism is deeply rooted inside individuals. There are citizens who do show compassion for Tammanna when she asks for directions. As Canadians we have to decide if we are going to judge people based on their appearance or are we going to accept them for who they are?
We may feel we are living in a multicultural society that is accepting towards immigration but often that is not case. Anishnawbek people are still the victims of racism in society and are facing intolerance for their religious beliefs. In our society we lacked programs for religious organizations and multiculturalism. Anishnawbek leaders who have promoted multiculturalism have been looked down upon with suspicion and have not have their voices heard. We need to examine our media for stereotypes of people that enforces misconceptions about the group as a whole. Vulnerable groups need to be studied for the purpose that are at risk for facing discrimination and prejudice within media and the work place. Minority Women are facing barriers of language, gender equally in the workplace and having active roles in making political decisions.
There are some positive aspects of Canada’s multiculturalism for example was that Canadians are less likely to believe immigrants are criminals and eight-five percent of Canadian say that multiculturalism is important to society. Focus in Canada survey results were that eighty-three of Canadians believe that Muslims make a positive contribution to society. Children of immigrants have better education results than any other Western countries. (The Current State of Multiculturalism in Canada and research themes on Canadian Multiculturalism 2008-2010. 2012. Pgs. 1-4).
Canadian’s Conservative view of racism is that race does not matter. This ignores white violence in history and does let the victim heal from becoming oppression from authority. I feel we should not deny in our history that there was white violence because we cannot understand the victim’s perspective if we believe the problem never existed. In the article “Conservative Definition of Racism,’ I have quoted, “Conservative rightly say blacks kill more blacks than white kill blacks.” (The Conservative Definition of Racism: aka How Not to Deal with The Problem, 2012. Pg.1). I found this statement appalling considering there was black slavery, blacks not having the right to vote or even use the same washroom as white people. We cannot simply erase what we do not like in history and try to replace with something fictional.
“The Current State of Multiculturalism in Canada and research themes on Canadian Multiculturalism 2008-2010.” Citizenship and Immigration Canada. 01, 12, 2012. http://www.cic.gc.ca.
“The Conservative Definition of Racism: aka How Not to Deal with The Problem.” April 18, 2012. http://deadwildroses.wordpress.com
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFGt4_Efv6Y
I found your blog very interesting and relatable. There are some people that I have came in contact with, that have been racist towards people in the Muslim Religion. It is so upsetting to see that racism is all around the world and it seems to never get any better. I cannot even believe what it must feel like to come to a new place of living and then get treated very poorly and made fun of. I feel that everyone is equal and should be treated the same. It's crazy how you stated that people in Canada think multiculturalism is important, although there is still so much racism going on. I feel that a lot of Canada is just a lie, and we try to make our selves look better then we actually are as a country. Great post.
ReplyDeleteBy: Hunter.
Hello Erika,
ReplyDeleteI love how you added a video which brings the story to life again. I also like the use of image that you provided as well.
As an Arab and a Muslim, I feel sad for those people who choose to judge me based on my origin and religion. We get to choose who we are and what kind of individuals we want to be.. do we want to do good in life and be kinds to others? I do not want to ask anyone to put himself or herself in my shoes, I would rather ask them to give themselves and others a chance to Be.
Religion should be between the worshiper and his or her God only. Many people interferes that relationship which I believe complicates life itself. I do not believe that people should be judged at all, especially for their religious beliefs. I wish if people would overcome the need of being right and better and let go of their ego, so we can leave in peace with each other. There is no rights or wrongs, just different opinions.
-Farah
I forgot to mention the recent attack that happened couple of weeks ago to one of the Algoma U students. The student was walking downtown and a group of people in a car drove beside her and threw water at her, asking her to go back home. Luckily, the student was brave enough to report this racist attack. I addition, our university held a session between students and locals to talk about what happened and about how they feel about the whole racism and discrimination in the Soo. What I found interesting is that the majority of people were either not Canadians or Canadians with African, Muslim or Asian origins. - Farah
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