Race and language learning in multicultural Canada: towards critical antiracism

Abstract

Issues of race constitute an emerging area of inquiry in language education. Yet, race, racialisation and racism are still stigmatised topics of discussion in everyday and professional contexts in multiracial and multiethnic countries. Canada is especially an interesting context in this regard due to its official policy of multiculturalism that constructs a national identity of tolerance towards diversity. Drawing on the author's personal experience, this article presents some fundamental ideas for critical antiracism which call into question the commonly accepted antiracist agenda in research and practice. These ideas include decolonising antiracism (moving beyond white vs. non-white dichotomy to scrutinise power relations between non-white settlers and aboriginal people), de-essentialising antiracism (paying increased attention to economic privilege) and de-simplifying and de-silencing antiracism (paying more attention to multifaceted forms of racism and making issues of racial inequalities explicit). Such critical reflectivity enables us to understand racism in broader relations of power and to take greater ethical responsibility in antiracism.