[Wamvan] Introduction

Fri Apr 29 01:09:37 PDT 2011

Hey Beth,

That's super interesting. I haven't thought about this issue that carefully
before. I am enjoying reading what's already published on Schema
<http://www.schemamag.ca/indepth/2011/04/cultural-navigators-talk-back-federal-election-edition.php>so
far, and I look forward to seeing the new pieces!

I'll give it more thought and see if I can come up with an article idea.
What's the deadline for submission?

Thanks,

Joanna

On Wed, Apr 27, 2011 at 10:36 PM, Beth Hong <beth.hong at gmail.com> wrote:

> 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
>
>

-- 
Joanna Chiu

joannachiu.com <http://www.joannachiu.com/>
twitter.com/joannachiu
Phone: 778 388 9176

WAM! Vancouver
wamvancouver.wordpress.com
twitter.com/wamvancity
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