Experiences of Discrimination: The Impact of Metropolitan and Non- Metropolitan Location Brian Ray, University of Ottawa Valerie Preston, York University

Geographical Understanding of Discrimination and Discomfort Experiences of discomfort & discrimination Being in and out of place –How racialization operates within place(s) –How racialization is placed –Feminist geography –Whiteness literature Experiential constructions of whiteness White landscapes

Understanding Experiences of Discomfort/Discrimination Psychological and sociological studies –Discomfort can arise when people made aware of being different –Discrimination experienced by group more than discrimination reported by individual –Multiple causes of discomfort and discrimination

Understanding Discomfort/Discrimination Relatively little research about the spatial variation of discomfort/discrimination generally, and racist attitudes in particular –Although do know much more about spatial variation in family status, community relations (e.g., social life in cities vs. rural areas)

Does Geography Matter? Are experiences of discrimination and discomfort the same in Canadas three gateway cities, other metropolitan areas, and non-metropolitan areas?

Presentation Outline Ethnic Diversity Survey Canadas uneven geography Description of discrimination and discomfort Explanations of discrimination and discomfort Implications

Ethnic Diversity Survey Post-census survey A general population survey Approximately 42,000 individuals Population 15 years of age & over Identity, social behaviours, experiences of discrimination and feelings of discomfort

Methodological Dilemmas –Age Eliminated individuals under 18 and over 70 –Aboriginal status Small number of respondents removed –Ethno-racial Background Visible minority European Non-Charter European Charter

Uneven Geography: Visible Minorities 71.8 percent in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver 4.8 percent in small towns and rural areas Highly correlated with distribution of immigrants

Uneven Geography: Generations

Economic Families Below LICO by Ethno- racial Group

Visible minority group everywhere: ethnic ancestry important ethnic group belonging strong co-ethnics in networks – over 50% belonging to city/town strong Visible minority group: Networks: co-ethnics decrease as size of place decreases Overall sense of trust increases as size of place decreases Trust neighbours increases as size of place decreases European non-charter: Ethnic ancestry most impt. in M,T,V Sense of belonging strongest in largest places Overall level of trust higher in all places relative to other groups European Charter: Ethnic ancestry most impt. in M,T,V Co-ethnics in networks: highest proportion in biggest & smallest places Sense of belonging to place strongest in small places Overall level of trust strongest in smallest places

Discomfort in Past 5 Years

Discrimination in Past 5 Years

Type of Discrimination

Visible Minority Experiences of Discrimination

Explaining Variations in Discrimination and Discomfort Social Characteristics Behaviour Residential Characteristics Sex Marital Status Children under 18 Social class (Low-income status, household income, education) Visible Minority Status Birthplace Generation Status Religion Language, at home and with friends Involvement in ethnic clubs Co-ethnics in social network Sense of belonging to: Ethnic group City Level of trust Trust in neighbours Tenure Dwelling type Where live – size of place

Increase probability of reporting discrimination: Visible minority Non-charter (minor) Higher education Belonging to ethnic group Involvement in ethnic clubs Some co-ethnics in network Living in Montréal, Toronto, Vancouver Decrease probability of reporting discrimination: Female Married/common law couple Homeownership modest or strong sense belong city/town strong overall trust stronger levels of trust in neighbours Increase probability of Reporting Discomfort: Visible minority Foreign born Higher education Belonging to ethnic group Involvement in ethnic clubs More co-ethnics in network Living in larger cities, especially Montréal, Toronto & Vancouver Decrease probability of Reporting discomfort: European non-charter Modest or strong sense belong to city/town Trust neighbours a lot

Increase Probability of Reporting Ethnic Discrimination: Ethno-cultural/racial background Foreign born Language at home Higher education Ethnic ancestry impt. Strong belonging to ethnic group Involvement in ethnic clubs Some co-ethnics in network Live in Montréal, Toronto, Vancouver Decrease Probability of Reporting of Ethnic Discrimination: Language w. friends Female Married/common law Attachment to city/town Overall trust Degree trust neighbours Increase Probability of Reporting Ethnic Discomfort: Visible minority Foreign born Higher education Ethnic ancestry impt. Strong belonging to ethnic group Co-ethnics in network Living in Montréal, Toronto, Vancouver Decrease probability of Reporting Ethnic Discomfort: Language w. friends Female Married/common law Attachment to city/town Overall trust Degree trust neighbours

Increase probability of reporting Racial Discrimination: Visible minority Children < 18 Higher education Involvement in ethnic clubs Some co-ethnics in network Decrease probability of reporting Racial Discrimination: Language at home Foreign born Female Marital status Overall trust Degree trust neighbours Increase probability of reporting Racial Discomfort: Higher education Involvement in ethnic clubs Some co-ethnics in network Living in larger cities, especially Montréal, Toronto, Vancouver Decrease probability of reporting Racial Discomfort: Ethno-cultural/ racial background Foreign born Language at home Age (slight) Ethnic ancestry (minor) Sense belong to city/town Overall trust levels Trusting neighbours a lot

How Does Geography Matter? Complicated geographies of discomfort & discrimination Geographical variation in who reports discomfort & discrimination –Size and type of place seem to play a role –But in small cities, towns, rural areas must also consider size of visible minority population & generation status Possible to avoid ethnocultural/racial difference versus a welcoming community

How Does Geography Matter? Visible minority status influences experiences of discrimination and feelings of discomfort, particularly those related to race –Strongly tied to places where visible minority populations are large Immigrant status influences experiences of discrimination and discomfort –Increases odds for ethnic discomfort/ discrimination –Reduces odds for racial discomfort/ discrimination

Implications

IMPLICATIONS Processes of racialization are geographically variable but reporting discrimination largely due to visible minority status (racialized difference) Impact of co-ethnic ties & involvement in ethnic institutions may pose significant challenges for effective public policy formation & delivery