Racism: It's not Just about Attitudes!

by Harvey H. Millar

I have been to many African-Canadian community meetings where the primary issue in focus was the big R word, racism. The testimonials on the personal experiences are hurtful and often create anger. Despite the gains made as a result of much agitation through the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960's, racism thrives in Canada.

In addressing racism, it is extremely important that we have a clear definition of what racism really is. One definition of racism I subscribe to is: Racism = Prejudice in collusion with Personal and Institutional Power. Prejudice may be defined as judgment or opinion formed before hand without due examination. Due to 'human intelligence', one may argue, on the basis of this definition, that humans have the propensity to "second guess", or to form opinion upon superficial examination. Hence the natural existence of prejudicial behavior. Further, we note that prejudices are of different types: race prejudice, class prejudice, cultural prejudice, and so on. The word power, on the other hand, may be defined as " the ability to do anything - physical, mental, legal". On the basis of this definition, one can argue that there are several types of powers, and that not all individual possess all powers. Further, it must be noted that some types of power can be acquired, political power for example, while some are innate, for example cultural power.

Going back to the definition of racism, one concludes that racism is an acquired power - the power to impose one's racial prejudices with the conscious or subconscious objective of subjugating and exploiting another race. This definition has numerous implications. The hurt that African-Canadians feel as a result of racism is not merely due to race prejudice, but rather, the power that the offender has impose it, and the powerlessness that the victim appears to have to eradicate it. Further, in examining acts that one may consider racist, it is not sufficient to challenge the attitude of the offender. The system of power that supports and perpetuates these acts much also be challenged. Being an acquired power, there is the potential to eradicate racism.

In an effort to redress social and economic inequalities between African-Canadians and European-Canadians, a number programs have been proposed both by government and community agencies. If these are to be successful in 'eliminating' racism, one must ask the important question; "do these programs address the prejudice, the power, or both?" It is my view that many programs, particularly programs that promote race-awareness and race-relations, focus more on prejudices than the power to impose the latter. I call these attitudinal programs. Such programs have been very popular among European-Canadians - the rightful audience for these programs. I would submit that these programs would be less popular, and even vehemently opposed if they called for power realignment through power sharing. It is much easier for one to realign one's prejudices than it is to relinquish power.

The African-Canadian Community needs to answer these questions: where should our emphasis lie in redressing racism?, does modifying prejudices have a greater impact on racism than reducing the power to impose them? I submit that a great deal of our energy has been dissipated in attempting to change the attitudes of the European-Canadian, yet little progress has been made in empowering African-Canadians. Thus, there is a lack of the essential environment for power sharing. Given the number of European-Canadians that must be educated, and the dynamics of self-propagation and population growth, to solely concentrate on prejudice is a losing strategy.

I submit, that a more effective strategy for the African-Canadian in the fight against racism, is to attempt to eliminate the individual and institutional power that allows the imposition of one's racial prejudices. The greatest vehicle for achieving such power, is through legislation. Our fight against racism should be a fight to criminalize racism, and have legislation supporting major penalties for infractions.

Some will argue that attitudes cannot be legislated. Error! The error is in the assumption that racism is all about attitudes. The personal power of individuals to drive drunk has been eliminated by a drunk driving law; one's propensity to physically retaliate when offended in a non-physical way is reduced by physical assault laws, and the list could go on. Under an anti-racist law, with proper enforcement, systems of power which supports and perpetuates racist acts will be significantly limited.

In the fight against racial oppression, both African-Canadians and European-Canadian must participate jointly in strategies that seek to deconstruct both prejudice and negative power. Given the past focus racial prejudice, there must now be greater emphasis on improving the power sharing relationship between African-Canadians and European-Canadians. This will ultimately lead to a society where fairness and equality are not simply words etched on a page, but a true way of life for all Canadians. e

Dr. Harvey H. Millar is an Assistant Professor of Operations Management in the Faculty of Commerce at Saint Mary's University.

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