Shy elitism: A new keyword in critical multiculturalism studies

Abstract

Since the official promulgation of multiculturalism by Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau on October 8, 1971, there has been a concerted attempt to build awareness and acceptance of the policy by recognizing the achievements of individuals from immigrant and racialized groups. This chapter draws on extensive archival research to address the work of key figures who advocated for civil liberties, human rights and race relations in Canada within a context of state-sanctioned multiculturalism that uses prestigious annual awards to advance harmonious race relations . It proposes a reading of their strategic interventions in a Canadian public sphere as a form of shy elitism that grants prestigious awards and credentials to 'accessible' work that represses material that may appear too elitist or radical for 'ordinary Canadians'.