Canada's response to black soldiers during
WWI was not racist
White Military Officer's Perspective:
“Rejection,” the refusal to accept (Dictionary.com, 2012). Rejection is not just a simply act; it is also an expression that can greatly harm an individual. When an individual is deeply wounded by something, they create reasons as to why they were rejected. It is much easier to blame someone rather then accepting his or her reason.
Black, white, yellow, and brown are merely colours. These colours are the physical layers that wrap our body. “Coloured men sought enlistment in large numbers, and insisted on knowing why their offer was not accepted” (Walker, 2001). These men were so irritated by their rejection they decided, due to the colour of their skin they were not being accepted. However, the White Canadians thought otherwise.
"The government insisted that there is no Dominion legislation authorizing discrimination against coloured people. ”The militia was able to state that no regulations or restrictions, prevented enrollment of coloured men who possess the necessary qualification….” (Walker, 2001). The Canadian military did not want to discriminant coloured people, they just needed men who were qualified and majority of the coloured people did not fit several of the qualification, so they were rejected. However, the coloured people because of their anger assumed it was due to the coulour of their skin, that they were not accepted. “ Science and public opinion accepted that certain identifiable groups lacked the valour, discipline, and intelligence to fight a modern war” (Walker, 2001).
Therefore, Canada’s response to black soldiers during world war one was not racist. Due to many factors excluding race, coloured people were not enlisted into the militia. The white Canadians were just trying to do what was best for their country and the people in it.
Black, white, yellow, and brown are merely colours. These colours are the physical layers that wrap our body. “Coloured men sought enlistment in large numbers, and insisted on knowing why their offer was not accepted” (Walker, 2001). These men were so irritated by their rejection they decided, due to the colour of their skin they were not being accepted. However, the White Canadians thought otherwise.
"The government insisted that there is no Dominion legislation authorizing discrimination against coloured people. ”The militia was able to state that no regulations or restrictions, prevented enrollment of coloured men who possess the necessary qualification….” (Walker, 2001). The Canadian military did not want to discriminant coloured people, they just needed men who were qualified and majority of the coloured people did not fit several of the qualification, so they were rejected. However, the coloured people because of their anger assumed it was due to the coulour of their skin, that they were not accepted. “ Science and public opinion accepted that certain identifiable groups lacked the valour, discipline, and intelligence to fight a modern war” (Walker, 2001).
Therefore, Canada’s response to black soldiers during world war one was not racist. Due to many factors excluding race, coloured people were not enlisted into the militia. The white Canadians were just trying to do what was best for their country and the people in it.