What is Race? Race – classification of groups of people based on inherited physical characteristics Europeans (1800’s) categorized people on perceived racial characteristics Caucasian – lighter skin, fine hair (white) Negroid – darker skin, coarse hair (black) Mongoloid – yellow/brown skin, folds of skin on eyes (Asian) current accepted idea is that inherited racial characteristics are only skin deep LO 1

What is Race? Genotype – genetic make-up, chromosomal structure Phenotype – observable characteristics Homos sapiens share one genotype with a range of phenotypes Phenotype (physical characteristics) varies, genotype (genetic make-up) does not there is greater genetic variation within racial groups than between groups LO 1

What is Race? common genetic make-up interacted with environmental conditions historically Intermarriage & reproduction following human migration, exploration & invasion spread inherited characteristics globally interest in categorizing people into racial groups based on explaining how people think and where they end up in life presumed differences were used to justify different treatment of groups (level of intelligence) LO 1

What is Race? there is little credible evidence that race & racial characteristics are related to how people think & act it is important to focus on the meanings society has given to inherited racial characteristics meanings shape life changes in general & social mobility in particular Racialization – broad ways of thinking & acting that make inherited physical characteristics matter LO 1

What is Race? Race is often associated with ethnicity – shared set of non-physical characteristics commonly understood as relationships to countries, nationalities or religious beliefs ethnic groups may be associated with particular races Ethno-racialization – thought & action that makes inherited physical & non-physical characteristics mean something LO 1

What is Race? (1700’s) conflict between French & British in Canada British won The Seven Years’ War over global trade French lost claim to Canada (Treaty of Paris, 1793) remaining French settlers spoke a different language were Roman Catholic, had a different way of life French barred from government became a problem Pluralism –British granted French-speaking British citizens separate but equal legal status LO 1

What is Race? Constitution Act (1867) - further French language rights Bilingualism does not mean equality French expressed anxiety over decline in culture & identity constitutional challenges played a significant role in strengthening separatist sentiments in Quebec Colonialism – cultural, political & economic system in which one society invades an indigenous group LO 1

What is Race? (late 1700’s)European settlers were dependent upon First Nations people as more Europeans settled, First nations communities became a threat to them Royal Proclamation of 1763 – acknowledged sovereignty of First Nations people & ownership of land British Crown limited what First Nations could do with the land Gradual Civilization Act (1857) – opportunity for First Nations people to become British citizens LO 1

What is Race? But were stripped of rights as First Nations people Indian Act (1876) Canadian Federal government had sole authority over first Nations communities Eg. residential school system – assimilate First Nations children into dominant culture (1960’s) began to demand better treatment from government slowly granted what was ultimately theirs all along Consequence – Nunavut in 1999 LO 1

What is Race? (1872) Dominion Lands Act – offered Canadian immigrants land & citizenship preference for northern Europeans others treated poorly and/or denied entry (Chinese, Indian, Jewish refugees, Japanese) LO 1