“Salt and potatoes in Canada were better than pound-cake and chickens in the United States:” Commemorating Black Canadians in public history

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Date
2020-01-27
Authors
Upadhyaya, Ranju
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Abstract
Ashley (2005) notes that Canadian museums are important public spaces where Canadian culture and heritage are represented and authenticated. The study of museums and exhibits provides insights into issues of identity, race, representation and expression of Canadian history. The thesis uses critical race theory (CRT) framework and critical discourse analysis (CDA) to analyze instances of exhibits on Black Canadian history. The two exhibits are the Parks Canada and the Department of Canadian Heritage’s ON THE ROAD NORTH - Black Canada and Journey to Freedom and the Canadian Museum for Human Rights’ Escape from Oppression. Using CRT and CDA, the thesis tries to appreciate the discrepancies and similarities between the two exhibits to understand how the history of Black Canadians in the exhibits altogether reveals a national tale of integration and unification, especially with the Underground Railroad narratives present in both exhibits.
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sociology, museum
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