Media and Minorities:
Representing Diversity in a Multicultural Canada
Augie Fleras (University of Waterloo) and
Jean Lock Kunz (Canadian Council on Social Development)
202 pages (February, 2001)
Paper, ISBN 1-55077-123-X, $26.95 (US$21.95)
Canadians take great pride in their country's commitment to multiculturalism. Institutions that deny ethnic and racial diversity are not only seen as offensive, but they also compromise the challenge of crafting a progressive Canada. The mainstream media in Canada, through its awesome influence over our lives, wields sufficient power to set agendas, construct realities, and frame issues to advance or retard this cause. In defining what is acceptable and desirable, it provides the elusive ingredient for creating a society in which individuals live together respecting their differences. Media and Minorities examines the representational basis of media-minority relations in Canada. In so doing, it hopes to make a modest contribution to advancing the cause of a Canada that is inclusive and equitable, workable and fair.
Augie Fleras is associate professor of sociology at the University of Waterloo. He is the author of numerous books, including Social Problems in Canada (Third Edition) and Unequal Relations (Third Edition; with Jean Elliott) and Recalling Aotearoa (with Paul Spoonley).
Jean Lock Kunz is senior research associate with the Canadian Council on Social Development where she spearheaded and established the cultural diversity research program. She is author of numerous reports and articles, including Advertising Images of Visible Minority Women in Canada (with Augie Fleras), Immigrant Youth in Canada (with Louise Hanvey), and Adapting to Canada: Linguistic profile of immigrant youth. She has recently joined Human Resources Development Canada.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Preface
SECTION 1: MEDIA, RACISM, AND MULTICULTURALISM
1. Multicultural in Canada
2. The Media and Racism
3. Mainstream Media: Discourse in Defence of Ideology
SECTION 2: MISCASTING MINORITIES
4. Newscasting: "Problematizing " Minorities
5. 'Whoâs On?ä: Programming Minorities
6. Advertising: "Diversity Sellsä
7. Filming the Other: Through the Prism of Whiteness
SECTION 3: RE-CASTING THE MOLD
8. Miscasting Minorities: Patterns and Causes
9. "Multiculturalizing" the Mainstream Media
10. Re-Priming the Relationship
Glossary / References / Index
