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July 02, 2020

CALL FOR PAPERS – SYSTEMIC RACISM IN CANADA

Back to general Call for Papers

Directions, the Canadian Race Relation’s open-access journal, provides community-based, action-oriented research, commentary, and perspectives on eliminating racism and discrimination. We are currently looking for contributors for Directions and hope you will share your expertise, experience and research with us!

On May 25, 2020, George Floyd was killed during an arrest in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The four officers involved in the arrest were charged, one with second-degree murder and the other three with aiding and abetting second-degree murder. Mr. Floyd’s death, captured on camera, has triggered protests against police violence in cities around the world, and has once again focused attention on the mechanisms through which racism impacts the lives of members of racialized communities.

In Canada, we have long held to the comforting notion that racism is either not a problem or not nearly so serious a problem as in the United States. This notion has persisted in the face of evidence to the contrary and the lived experiences of members of the racialized communities. We’ve been told, repeatedly, that racism with a polite face is racism nonetheless.

A June 5, 2020 article by National Post columnist Rex Murphy offers a recent example of the gap that exists between those who do and do not see a problem. Mr. Murphy’s closing argument summarizes his belief that while no country is perfect or free of bigotry, most Canadians are horrified by racism and this collective revulsion finds its voice in Canada’s immigration policy and embrace of multiculturalism. To quote Mr. Murphy: “Is it not a doctrine of Canadian civic life that to end any trace of discrimination or racism is a cardinal rationale for the very existence of modern Canada.”

While acts of overt and direct racism and discrimination – the pollution of the public square with the vile use of racial epithets and with acts of intimidation, harassment and violence – attract our attention and draw a response, it is more difficult to identify and remove the assumptions and more subtle behaviours that are baked into our systems, policies and practices.

It is this constellation of racism – individual, institutional and structural – that requires our attention and analysis, and is the present theme of Directions.

The Canadian Race Relations Foundation invites you to share your opinion with our readers:

  • We will accept articles that have been published elsewhere, so long as they are aligned with the articulated themes of race, racism, and discrimination in Canada.
  • We welcome the submission of papers in both English and French. While, the CRRF will provide translation for those articles accepted for publication, we encourage authors to arrange for their own translation where possible.
  • Articles should be 6,500-8,000 words, including abstract, footnotes, references and tables, as well as a biographical statement of approx. 250 words and any acknowledgements. Shorter articles may be accepted as well. Please contact us to discuss.
  • Articles will be presented, in full, on the CRRF website and promoted on various social media platforms. 
  • Academics/Researchers who wish their articles to be peer-reviewed should advise us upon submission – please note this peer review process will need a minimum of 1 month to complete.             

More about Directions:

This journal serves as an important piece of our mission to strengthen Canadian values and to build a united Canadian community. Directions offers a forum for important dialogue and debate on race-related issues and practical recommendations for policy development and change. The most recent published article may be found here

To submit or for further inquiries, please contact:

Sharon Pun

Research, Resource, and Records Librarian

s.pun@crrf-fcrr.ca

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