Description
Book SynopsisThe Racial Mosaic demonstrates how cultural pluralism in Canada was founded upon, and easily coexisted with, settler colonialism and racism. Looking at how Canadians interpreted diversity before multiculturalism became official policy, it compels readers to consider how racism has structured Canada's settler-colonial society.
Trade Review"An excellent book. The Racial Mosaic has forced me to rethink multiculturalism's historical, racial, and even eugenic roots. Although there is a lot of scholarship on multiculturalism, this is the first serious and sustained attempt to historicize one of Canada's defining policies." Donald Wright, University of New Brunswick and author of Canada: A Very Short Introduction
“The Racial Mosaic is an eye-opening book that details the problematic history of nation-building leading up to the post-war era. … Meister unmasks the legacies of eugenics, genocide, and humanism that illuminate the limits of multiculturalism. With detailed anecdotes and Indigenous histories, The Racial Mosaic offers stunning clarity.” The Quill & Quire
“Diversity and inclusion initiatives across institutions are now calling for a re-examination of multiculturalism and the limits of race representation. Those leading the charge would do well to consider Meister’s insights into the fabrication of Canada’s ‘mosaic.’” Literary Review of Canada
“[The Racial Mosaic] is a model of scholarly insight and clarity as it takes the reader into a hitherto under-researched slice of Canadian history. … fascinating, deeply textured, and meticulously researched.” Canadian Ethic Studies
“A well-written and thoroughly researched history of the development of cultural pluralism, … Meister’s discussion of the erasure of Indigenous people by these advocates of cultural pluralism is particularly well done.” The Canadian Historical Review
