Social change
From the sociologist’s perspective, social change refers to those changes in human interactions and the relationships that transform both cultural and social institutions. These changes usually occur over time, and they typically have deep and long -term consequences in society (McMichael, 2016). Various civil rights movements trigger these changes. As a result of social change movements, relationships have changed, institutions have changed, and also cultural norms have changed.
One of the most sensitive issues which have resulted in the adoption of social change movements is racism. About two weeks ago, there was a movement developed in the USA known as Black Live Matters. It was developed due to the death of “Black – American” George Floyd under “white” police officers’ torture. It is a scenario that suggests that social change about observing rights of Black – American is not embraced well in USA justice system. Comparing the USA and Canada’s case about racism, the latter has claimed itself as a “less racist country” (Corbett, 2019). According to many Blacks who live in Canada, that is not true since they experience it.
The issue of Canada might be worse than in the USA since, in the USA, the cases are awakening, and people understand that racism is well. Understanding that the sociological perspective is beneficial as it triggers the human rights movements to act accordingly. It is quite clear now that there is a need to tighten the laws of racism in the United States. It is among many ways of introducing social change since those who violate the human rights of black people could face the law accordingly.
The recent discussion in Canada, claiming itself as a country without racism, has attracted diverse opinions and some critics. The two premiers in Canada (Ontario and Quebec) highlighted that there was no racism in Canada. However, speakers at the anti-racism demonstration in Quebec criticized those claims in collaboration with immigrants (Corbett, 2019). Their take was that those who said there is no racism in Canada have never experienced it. For those who have gone through it, they say that Canada is among countries with the highest level of racism.
The take of Canada about racism is dangerous since it does not allow for social change in the rights of Black people. The social change can only come about if the country accepts that racism is a vice, and it is within. That understanding will empower the human rights movements, which are agents of social change. A question that needs to be asked on the issue of racism and social change in Canada is How can you fight something which does not exist?