Anti-racism and white people

Authors propose their vision of anti-racism in Canada and abroad

Peter Ives

From the racial riots that tore through the suburbs of Paris, to the ongoing plight of Aboriginal people in Canada, issues of racism continue to make headlines around the world. But what are the historical roots of modern racism, and what are the connections between racism and capitalism?

In the coming weeks, two author/activists will address these issues in academic and non-academic talks around Winnipeg. Both David McNally and Sheila Wilmot have published books with Winnipeg-based Arbeiter Ring Publishing (ARP), which is entering its second decade of publishing political and cultural books. That two ARP authors are coming here from Toronto to give academic and non-academic talks testifies to Winnipeg’s connections and allure.

David McNally is a longtime activist in labour, anti-poverty and social justice movements, and is chair of the political science department at York University in Toronto. McNally’s Another World is Possible: Globalization and Anti-Capitalism offers a penetrating analysis of today’s global capitalism and the struggles against it. He brings together his scholarly analysis and his commitment to building a more just world. His Winnipeg talks will offer a similar range of academic inquiry and practical insight drawn from his experiences in political resistance and political organizing. McNally is known to be a captivating speaker.

Like McNally, Sheila Wilmot combines critical analysis, lessons learned from history and a substantial personal history of involvement in a range of anti-capitalist, progressive struggles. But while McNally discusses the role of racism and colonialism in the dynamics of global capitalism, Wilmot’s new book, Taking Responsibility, Taking Direction: White Anti-Racism in Canada, focuses more specifically on the connection between white supremacy and capitalism in the Canadian context.

Wilmot asks the difficult questions of why anti-racism movements have not been more prominent or effective in Canada. She narrows her focus to white anti-racism in order to take responsibility for teaching anti-racism, work that is often left to people of colour. Her approach also allows her to drive home her criticisms of white supremacy and insist that white people’s guilt, shame and privilege do not obstruct effective anti-racist movements.

By focusing on power relationships historically and within different activist groups, Wilmot provides insightful and pragmatic principles that she hopes can help overcome the ineffectiveness of anti-racist campaigns. In addition to the wealth of experience and information that Wilmot provides about various activist groups in Canada, she offers inspiration and hope.

Both of these authors will be giving several talks in Winnipeg, beginning with Wilmot’s talk Thursday evening at the University of Winnipeg, entitled, “From the Zapatistas to Venezuela: The Struggle for Global Justice Today.”

For schedules and more information please see the events listing in this issue.