Ethnic discrimination in secondary education: Does the solution lie in multicultural education and the ethnic school composition?

Ethnic discrimination is a serious problem in education. Previous quantitative research is predominately focused on the consequences of ethnic discrimination. Very little is known, however, about the characteristics of the school context that influence the initial experience of ethnic discrimination. This knowledge is essential to support schools in how to organize in a way that diminishes the likelihood of adolescents being discriminated against. This study examines the relationship between multicultural education and perceived ethnic discrimination, and the moderating role of the ethnic composition of the student population. Multicultural education is a broad concept. The focus lies on the three main actors: multicultural policy from the perspective of the principal, multicultural teaching from the perception of the teacher and students’ perception of multicultural teaching. The results of a multilevel analysis on a large-scale dataset (N = 2715 students, 38 schools) collected in secondary education in Belgium show that students of ethnic Belgian descent are more likely to report ethnic discrimination by peers if the school applies a more multicultural policy or if the school has a high concentration of students with an other-than-Belgian background. Students with an other-than-Belgian background are more likely to report ethnic discrimination by teachers if the school applies a more multicultural policy. If students perceive that their teachers pay attention to multicultural education, they are less likely to report ethnic discrimination by teachers, but more by peers. The ethnic composition is not directly related to perceived ethnic discrimination, nor does it play a moderating role.

Race, racism, and multiracial couples : a social constructionist perspective

The history of the creation of racial categories is intrinsically linked to the existence of the taboo surrounding multiracial couples. This paper exposes the beginnings of how skin became a tool of oppression, race became a reality, and whiteness became normalized. Furthermore, science and academia are exposed in their biased search for an objective truth, that in Etienne Balibar's words, "(could) integrate the city into the cosmos" (2003), thereby justifying whiteness, segregation, and the status quo. Moreover, this paper then addresses the new formations and manifestations of racism that exist today and exposes their origins. The final section of this paper addresses Canadian multicultural policy and questions its hand in perpetuating and legitimating essentialized cultural and racial categories. The impact of multiculturalism on multiracial couples and multiracality is also addressed, and further anti-racist solutions are suggested to combat the persistence and prevelance of racism.

Race, racism, and multiracial couples : a social constructionist perspective

The history of the creation of racial categories is intrinsically linked to the existence of the taboo surrounding multiracial couples. This paper exposes the beginnings of how skin became a tool of oppression, race became a reality, and whiteness became normalized. Furthermore, science and academia are exposed in their biased search for an objective truth, that in Etienne Balibar's words, "(could) integrate the city into the cosmos" (2003), thereby justifying whiteness, segregation, and the status quo. Moreover, this paper then addresses the new formations and manifestations of racism that exist today and exposes their origins. The final section of this paper addresses Canadian multicultural policy and questions its hand in perpetuating and legitimating essentialized cultural and racial categories. The impact of multiculturalism on multiracial couples and multiracality is also addressed, and further anti-racist solutions are suggested to combat the persistence and prevelance of racism.

Identity, fashion and dress consumption by immigrants : a focus on ethnic dress and/or hijab

This study highlights and explores how Canada’s multicultural policy influences the relationship between fashion and identity of racialized diaspora communities in Canada. It focuses on traditional dress and/or the Hijab, a religious dress among diaspora communities in Canada. However, the study demonstrates that consumption of these items among immigrants varies, with some immigrant communities displaying stronger ethnic identity than others. The consumption of these goods shapes one’s ethnic or religious identity. The two theoretical approaches shed insights on the complex relationship between ethnic fashion/dress, religious dress and ethnic identity. The study concludes that although symbols of ethnic identity such as ethnic fashion and/or religious dress are increasingly being contested due to political ideology, they have served members of their respective diasporic communities quite well in that they have allowed them to display and celebrate their identity, and thus produce a particular theme of their identity within Canadian multiculturalism. Key words: Fashion, ethnic dress/clothing, veil/religious dress, immigrants and diaspora.

Identity, fashion and dress consumption by immigrants : a focus on ethnic dress and/or hijab

This study highlights and explores how Canada’s multicultural policy influences the relationship between fashion and identity of racialized diaspora communities in Canada. It focuses on traditional dress and/or the Hijab, a religious dress among diaspora communities in Canada. However, the study demonstrates that consumption of these items among immigrants varies, with some immigrant communities displaying stronger ethnic identity than others. The consumption of these goods shapes one’s ethnic or religious identity. The two theoretical approaches shed insights on the complex relationship between ethnic fashion/dress, religious dress and ethnic identity. The study concludes that although symbols of ethnic identity such as ethnic fashion and/or religious dress are increasingly being contested due to political ideology, they have served members of their respective diasporic communities quite well in that they have allowed them to display and celebrate their identity, and thus produce a particular theme of their identity within Canadian multiculturalism. Key words: Fashion, ethnic dress/clothing, veil/religious dress, immigrants and diaspora.

Multiculturalism in Canada : Symbolic Boundaries and the Institutionalization of Difference

This paper explores how people are constructed into groups, and how these constructions are reinforced by the ideology of multiculturalism in Canada. I am primarily concerned with the metaphorical use of the border concept in the context of Multicultural Canada, and if and how the current ideology of multiculturalism reifies cultural distinctions and, in complex ways, contributes to divisiveness and disunity within Canada. The goal of Canada's Multicultural policy is integration via acceptance of difference. Yet, the principle or logic underlying the policy rests on the premise that cultural variation is discontinuous. Thus, Canadian multiculturalism's undue emphasis on cultural differences means that such differences, whether superficial or substantive, are abstracted into meaningful difference through the metaphorical extension of border concepts. As such, multiculturalism has left unchanged the structural organization of power in the cultural and political landscape of Canada.

Multiculturalism in Canada : Symbolic Boundaries and the Institutionalization of Difference

This paper explores how people are constructed into groups, and how these constructions are reinforced by the ideology of multiculturalism in Canada. I am primarily concerned with the metaphorical use of the border concept in the context of Multicultural Canada, and if and how the current ideology of multiculturalism reifies cultural distinctions and, in complex ways, contributes to divisiveness and disunity within Canada. The goal of Canada's Multicultural policy is integration via acceptance of difference. Yet, the principle or logic underlying the policy rests on the premise that cultural variation is discontinuous. Thus, Canadian multiculturalism's undue emphasis on cultural differences means that such differences, whether superficial or substantive, are abstracted into meaningful difference through the metaphorical extension of border concepts. As such, multiculturalism has left unchanged the structural organization of power in the cultural and political landscape of Canada.

Cultural Citizenship and Refugee Integration

This chapter sheds light on the cultural citizenship of refugee-background Black Africans in Australia. Specifically, it elaborates on cultural citizenship as an analytical framework, outlines recent multicultural policy provisions in Australia, and highlights how conservative politicians and media personalities racialize youth violence and stigmatize Black Africans as dangerous criminals. Then the chapter proceeds to explain why racialized moral panic undermines the integration of African refugees. It argues that public humiliation emasculates self-efficacy, leading to youth disengagement. Second, the deprivation of cultural citizenship diminishes refugee youth's sense of affiliation. Third, public racial disparagement reinforces interpersonal racial prejudice and discrimination. Fourth, racial stigmatization perpetuates socio-economic disadvantages of refugee communities, durably positioning them on the margin of society. In light of these points, it is argued that a claim for equal respect and dignifying representation is a demand for full citizenship.