Multiculturalism: The Un/making of an In/visible Un/problematic Citizen

Abstract

This thesis explores the lived experiences of Chinese Canadian youth (n=9) and their understandings of multiculturalism and racialization in Ontario, Canada. Canada is often cited as the epitome of acceptance and cultural diversity. The establishment of the Canadian Multiculturalism Act [1988] and the discourses surrounding multiculturalism have largely dictated the ways in which Canadians must act or portray themselves. By practicing the values of acceptance, tolerance, and kindness, one is made to believe that Canada has very minimal faults. As a result, racialized minorities deflect their encounters and experiences with racism (or any injustice) to uphold Canada’s peaceful image. Furthermore, this has contributed to the belief that all Chinese Canadians are successful, intelligent, and thus, unproblematic citizens. Drawing upon the participants’ experiences and their understandings of racism, I examine how racism is indeed veiled as microaggressions and both geographically and temporally deflected.