“And he was Dancing Like no Tomorrow”

‘Good Intentions’ that ‘Do Harm’: Canada's state multiculturalism policy in the case of Black Canadians

“…Contrary to the multiculturalist expectations that the YIPI facilitates cultural encounters and interactions, however, research by James and Chapman‐Nyaho (2015) finds that some of the program's participants are hesitant to participate in the ‘cultural event’ alongside the officers. In one such example, the researchers recount the story of two program participants who expressed hesitation to dance with officers at the festival, only to be told by the supervising officer: ‘You have to dance.…”

“…Aware of the power and status differentials, the youth hesitate while the police dance ‘like no tomorrow' (James & Chapman‐Nyaho, 2015, p. 221). Marketed through community cultural events like the Caribana, multicultural state interventions like the YIPI not only promote the racialization and racial exploitation of marginalized groups, but also commodify and depoliticize culture (James & Chapman‐Nyaho, 2015; Mackey, 1999; Masoumi, 2020).…”

“…Rather, it also functions as a tool that legitimizes, protects, and markets the material and moral cause of the 'responsible adults'; in their privileged and venerated space as 'risk surveyors'. Despite good intentions, the YIPI program-a prime example of Canadian multiculturalism policy at work-reinscribes the material and moral lack of racialized youth, reinforcing the status quo (James & Chapman-Nyaho, 2015). In addition to depoliticizing anti-racism, state multiculturalism policy also constraints the language to name experiences of isolation.…”

“…The Caribana street festival, a cultural event held each August in Toronto is the highlight of the YIPI program, when and where participants get the opportunity to be part of the police officers’ float. At the Caribana street fest, police and participating youth are expected to show and to celebrate ‘creative encounters' through song, dance, and costume (James & Chapman‐Nyaho, 2015, p. 221).…”

“…YIPI participants, most of whom are ‘at risk' Black and Brown youth, interact with police ‘through cultural encounters' intended to counter contentious relationships between the youth and law enforcement (James & Chapman‐Nyaho, 2015, p. 221). The Caribana street festival, a cultural event held each August in Toronto is the highlight of the YIPI program, when and where participants get the opportunity to be part of the police officers’ float.…”