One would hope that new Canadians are just as conscious of the meaning of justice as other Canadians, particularly since many of the members of immigrant communities have had and continue to have their own demands for justice.
After all, our immigrant Chinese population waited a long time for apology and restitution for racist immigration policies including a special poll tax to be paid by immigrants from China. I don't think many Aboriginal Canadians would begrudge the Chinese their deserved amends.
Recent immigrants may not have been here when the residential schools were operating in ways that harmed Aboriginal Canadians, but they are now living in a country that still doesn't provide adequate living conditions for the very people it gives little choice to but to live in those conditions.
I think that the idea most people have of social justice is that it should apply to everyone. Many immigrants, especially those from developing nations, have their own grievances with racist policies and attitudes in Canada. Working together with other racialised and marginalised groups to obtain justice for all is in their best interests.
It's my experience that people who attempt to divide those seeking justice against each other may also be intending to conquer - or in this case, to maintain a system of multiple oppressions.
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branchandroot
no subject
Date: 2008-06-14 12:29 am (UTC)After all, our immigrant Chinese population waited a long time for apology and restitution for racist immigration policies including a special poll tax to be paid by immigrants from China. I don't think many Aboriginal Canadians would begrudge the Chinese their deserved amends.
Recent immigrants may not have been here when the residential schools were operating in ways that harmed Aboriginal Canadians, but they are now living in a country that still doesn't provide adequate living conditions for the very people it gives little choice to but to live in those conditions.
I think that the idea most people have of social justice is that it should apply to everyone. Many immigrants, especially those from developing nations, have their own grievances with racist policies and attitudes in Canada. Working together with other racialised and marginalised groups to obtain justice for all is in their best interests.
It's my experience that people who attempt to divide those seeking justice against each other may also be intending to conquer - or in this case, to maintain a system of multiple oppressions.