Reflection #2

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SOCI 310-202 Alyssa Almerling 48405062 Reflection #2: What were/still are the short-term and long-term consequences of Head Tax for the Chinese-Canadian community? What were some “legitimating claims” White Euro-Canadian settler society of the time used to impose the racially discriminatory Head Tax and the ban on new immigrants? How does the wrongdoing of the past affect the present? In the film From C to C, Paterson explores the head tax's short- and long-term consequences on Chinese-Candian communities. The Head Tax was a fee imposed on Chinese immigrants coming to Canada between 1885-1923 to discourage and prevent immigration. At first, the Head Tax started at $50, but over the years, it increased as discrimination increased against the Chinese-Canadian community. Short-term consequences of the Head Tax on the Chinese-Candian community are economic hardship and separation from families. The $50 Head Tax was a significant financial burden for Chinese immigrants, and many could not afford it. Some immigrants were forced into borrowing money to pay the fee, which can lead to debt and financial struggles later in life. Because of the high tax cost, many families could not pay for everyone and had to leave members behind or go alone. Long-term consequences of the Head Tax evident from people's experiences in the movie are discrimination, racism and the marginalization of the Chinese-Candian community. The Head Tax began a more extensive discriminatory immigration policy to deter Chinese communities from Canada. Along with the Head Tax, Chinese-Candians faced more discrimination when they were denied the right to vote in federal elections (1872) and city elections (1876) and were given limited job opportunities by being prohibited from being public workers (1897). Chinese-Candians also were given limited property ownership in 1907; overall, their community is being excluded from mainstream Canadian society. (Paterson, From C to C, 2011) In the film, the White-Euro Canadian settler society used many 'legitimatizing claims' to impose racially discriminatory Head Tax and ban Chinese immigrants. The first primary justification is the belief that Chinese immigrants are taking jobs away from the 'deserving' white Canadians. The film mentions widespread fear among white Canadians about their labour and industries such as mining, fishing, and logging. White Canadians feel they deserve the jobs because they were here first, which is not true (Indigenous were!), and they have better skills at doing them (also not true, no evidence). The greediness is present in the movie when labour unions stoke fear and seek to exclude Chinese workers from their industries. In 1897, the Alien Labour Act prohibited them from working publicly. (Paterson, From C to C, 2011) The second claim to justify the Head Tax and immigration ban is that Chinese immigrants were not assimilating into Canadian culture and society as they would like. They assume that

Chinese immigrants are seen as a threat because they hold different values and a culture that can never adapt to Canada's norms or customs. In the settler state's minds, they 'think' they are protecting Canadian culture when really, they are just forcing it on other people. And personally, when something is forced on me, it makes me not want to do it even more. Therefore, racism and xenophobia are underlying factors and claims to justify the Head Tax and ban. Chinese immigrants are stereotyped and made fun of using racial slurs and derogatory terms. Canada creates misconceptions and assumptions about Chinese communities just because they are different. We can see that Canada has a history of doing this to marginalized groups, including Indigenous ones. Unfortunately, Chinese Canadians were and are still subject to racist laws and policies that limit their rights and opportunities and affect their identity and dignity because they live in a discriminatory Canadian society. (Paterson, From C to C, 2011) The wrongdoings in the past affect the present in real life and this film through intergenerational trauma. Chinese Canadians affected by Head Tax and other discriminatory policies have inherited a legacy of trauma and marginalization that continues to impact their lives today and will pass down to the next generation. The trauma stays with the person, the family, and the community, and they constantly mourn the pain and losses. To take it away would be to rip apart their identity because it is now a part of their history. Although the Head Tax was abolished in 1923, other discriminatory policies remained active. Chinese-Candians still had to suffer being unable to vote and did not gain full Canadian citizenship rights until many years later. In 1907 the race war sparked racially motivated violence, and more events followed, like the anti-Asian riots in Vancouver. Because of this, many Chinese Canadians today still face discrimination and racism. Racial profiling is standard in the police, as I learnt from my Soci 250 course. Racial profiling is when the police purposely question or stop citizens because they are from a marginalized group, even though they are doing nothing wrong. Chinese-Candians and other marginalized groups are at higher risk for interactions with the police because of racial profiling. This ongoing discrimination is rooted in historical legacies of injustice like the Head Tax. Paterson's movie highlights the need to address and redress historical wrongdoings. Recognizing these is crucial to creating a more just and equitable society for all, especially Chinese Canadians. (Paterson, From C to C, 2011) Word Count: 800 words References: 1. Paterson, J. (Director). (2011). From C to C: Chinese Canadian Stories of Migration [Video file]. Retrieved April 7, 2023, from https://www.knowledge.ca/program/c-c-chinese-canadian-stories-migration

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