[Wamvan] Introduction

Wed Apr 27 21:36:22 PDT 2011

http://www.schemamag.ca/indepth/2011/04/ethnic-uncool-moments.phpHey Joanna
and WAMers,

Oh god no! Ha. It was a catchy way for us to start off the election
coverage. The term 'very ethnic' was in fact used though in a leaked
Conservative document<http://www.scribd.com/doc/49974049/2011-03-03-Breaking-Through-Building-the-Conservative-Brand-in-Cultural-Communities>that
explicitly referred to 10 "very ethnic" swing ridings with strong
Chinese, South Asian, Ukrainian or Jewish populations (3 of which are in
Metro Vancouver).

We're not trying to investigate the technical definition of ethnic polling
or the fact of political parties strategically targeting "ethnic"
communities (in the linguistic and country of origin sense of the phrase)--
which pretty much all parties have done to varying degrees in the past, as
Toronto Star columnist Martin Regg-Cogn pointed out
recently<http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/979361--cohn-tories-beating-liberals-at-their-own-game-of-ethnic-politics?bn=1>
.

What we're trying  give voice to the many foreign-born Canadians or
Canadians with complex identities who feel alienated by the connection of
"ethnicity" with such essentialized characteristics in the mainstream news
media. A good example of the media getting it right is this article in The
Record, "New Canadians question chase for ethnic
vote<http://www.therecord.com/news/local/article/523295--new-canadians-question-chase-for-ethnic-vote>
."

It's easy for politicos on Parliament Hill and editors in their closed-off
offices to dismiss these types of stories and voices as a whole lot of
huffing over irritating stereotypes, but what I've discovered is that in
Canada, racialized language still matters. Recently in my thesis research
I've only scratched the surface of Canada's racist history, particularly
when it comes to immigration policy. And it's so important that we as
Canadian citizens do not forget the long tail-end of history, and how only
64 years ago, William Lyon Mackenzie King couched his speech to Parliament
on immigration policy in deliberately vague language with unmistakably
racist undertones.

To re-post here the first post from Schema's election coverage, in our Ethnic
Uncool Moments<http://www.schemamag.ca/indepth/2011/04/ethnic-uncool-moments.php>blog:
*
*
*Friday, April 22 | Ethnic Uncool Throwback*

Because a little history about race and Canadian politics can't hurt:

Who can forget the original ethnic uncool moment from then-Prime
MinisterWilliam
Lyon Mackenzie King<http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/primeministers/h4-3250-e.html>'s
1947 speech to the House of Commons on
immigration:<http://www.schemamag.ca/indepth/2011/04/href=>

"There will, I am sure, be general agreement with the view that the people
of Canada do not wish, as a result of mass immigration, *to make a
fundamental alteration in the character of our population.*

Large-scale immigration from the orient would change the fundamental
composition of the Canadian population. Any considerable oriental
immigration would, moreover, be certain to give rise to social and economic
problems of a character that might lead to serious difficulties in the field
of international relations. The government, therefore, has no thought of
making any change in immigration regulations which would have consequences
of the kind."

Let's remember as we head into the polls on May 2 that the 'character of our
population' is no longer the default white Canadian of King's time.

Anyways, that's a very long explanation for why we are doing this, and why
it matters that Canadians in 2011 continue to speak out against the
reification of seemingly harmless buzzwords such as "ethnic vote."

And I would love to host your piece on Schema, Joanna. And anyone else who
is interested!

Cheers,

Beth

On Wed, Apr 27, 2011 at 7:37 PM, Joanna Chiu <chiu.joanna5 at gmail.com> wrote:

> Hi Beth,
>
> Was that seriously a poll that the parties put out? Could you tell us a bit
> more about what led to Schema doing this special issue, or direct us to some
> links?
>
> I've been volunteering for a politician's campaign, where I offered my
> language skills to help the politician secure the "ethnic vote". I might be
> interested in doing a short piece about that experience.
>
> Joanna
>
> On Wed, Apr 27, 2011 at 8:34 PM, Beth Hong <beth.hong at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> Hello fellow WAM Vancouverites!
>>
>> I just wanted to introduce myself, following Joanna's lead.
>>
>> I am a freelance journalist, editor, and current student at the UBC
>> Graduate School of Journalism. I am currently a Managing Editor of features
>> at Schema Magazine <http://www.schemamag.ca>, a webzine that blends pop
>> culture and identity for interculturally (and intersectionally) minded
>> Canadians.
>>
>> I just wanted to put out to y'all a call for submissions we have going
>> right now covering the election campaign-- called Cultural Navigators
>> Rock the Vote 2011<http://www.schemamag.ca/indepth/2011/04/cultural-navigators-rock-the-vote-2011-speak-out-now.php>.
>> If anyone is interested in forwarding me a link critically appraising the
>> so-called 'ethnic vote' (as a media buzzword and a political strategy), or
>> contributing a 450-500 word op-ed piece, you can get in touch with me
>> directly.
>>
>> Otherwise, if you have an interesting beat that you'd like to pitch to
>> Schema, do get in touch! I am very eager to work with any aspiring
>> journalists or writers. I hope to meet many of you in person at upcoming
>> events.
>>
>> All my best,
>>
>> Beth Hong
>>
>> ------
>> *Cultural Navigators Rock the Vote 2011 >> Speak Out Now!*
>>
>> If you're an eligible voter, check the following that applies to you:
>> a) 'Ethnic'
>> b) 'Very ethnic'
>> c) White (default)
>> d) None of the above
>> e) All of the above
>> f) WTF?
>>
>> If you selected 'f', let's talk about it. What's your view on the
>> so-called 'ethnic' vote? What do the Conservatives, Liberals and NDP mean by
>> the 'very ethnic'? Tweet us your thoughts @schema_magazine<http://twitter.com/#%21/schema_magazine> or
>> comment below.
>>
>> We are also seeking submissions from *you* on your observations,
>> opinions, or personal musings on the following:
>>
>> *Ethnic uncool moments<http://www.schemamag.ca/indepth/2011/04/ethnic-uncool-moments.php>
>> *
>> Topic: Weekly coverage of shameless pandering and racial stereotyping in
>> #elxn41
>> Description: Daily Dose <http://www.schemamag.ca/dailydose/> style posts
>> specifically on moments in the election where we re-post or recap some very
>> uncool moments, like the recent debacle with a Conservative candidate asking
>> for "ethnic costumes."
>> *Deadline: ASAP*. Email us at submit[at]schemamag.ca.
>>
>> *Cultural Navigators Talk Back<http://www.schemamag.ca/indepth/2011/04/cultural-navigators-talk-back-federal-election-edition.php>
>> *
>> Topic: In-depth critical commentary in response to anything to do with the
>> election. Great topics include:
>> 1. The leaked Conservatives' "Breaking Through" strategy for branding in
>> ethnic communities
>> 2. A response to the ethnic costumes debacle
>> 3. Anything else you can think of!
>> *Deadline: Ongoing* Email us at submit[at]schemamag.ca
>>
>> *Don't let anyone speak for you - speak out now!*
>>
>>
>> --
>> Master of Journalism Candidate @UBC | Managing Editor @Schema<http://www.schemamag.ca>
>>
>> *call *604.314.5462
>>  *follow* @metrolens <http://twitter.com/metrolens>
>> *visit* BethHong.com
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Wamvan mailing list
>> Wamvan at lists.resist.ca
>> https://lists.resist.ca/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/wamvan
>>
>>
>
>
> --
> Joanna Chiu
>
> joannachiu.com <http://www.joannachiu.com/>
> twitter.com/joannachiu
> Phone: 778 388 9176
> Skype: joanna.chiu555
>
> WAM! Vancouver
> wamvancouver.wordpress.com
> twitter.com/wamvancity
> FB: "WAM Vancouver Chapter"
>
>
>

-- 
Master of Journalism Candidate @UBC | Managing Editor
@Schema<http://www.schemamag.ca>

*call *604.314.5462
*follow* @metrolens <http://twitter.com/metrolens>
*visit* BethHong.com
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