Charles Mills was an influential philosopher who focused on the social contract in which he referred it to be the racial or the domination contract. Charles Mills used the domination contract as an outline of racial inequality and white supremacy. I agree with Mills as he identifies the problem in a society and recognizes that the foundation of modern social organization is built on the European expansion, colonization and other forms of white domination. An example relevant to the racial contract is the after effects of the residential school systems which were established after the 1880’s. This issue is relevant because there have been apologies made and attempt at compensation for the horrific event that took place many years ago. However,
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This attempt at assimilation was based upon social hierarchy and white privilege that ultimately defies the racial contract. While it is obvious that the residential school event itself defies the racial contract, I argue that the attempts of reconciliation and compensation still do not follow Charles Mills racial contract. The racial contract is an extension of the social contract, in which whites dominate societies social organization (Shabani and Deveaux 2014) In Mills argument, he states that the idea of a contractarian system within the social contract excludes people in a society based on their race (SITE BOOK). This is important because although the social contract aims to mobilize the inherent self- seeking actions of individuals, it does not provide the same protection and liberties as the racial contract does. Mills goes on to say advocate for the domination contract proposed by Philosophers Jean Jacques Rousseau because it recognizes the hierarchy in social organization (Shabani and Deveaux 2014). Not only does it recognizes this power divide, but it further allows individuals to understand the implications of social constructions in a society (Shabani and Deveaux 2014). Mills further builds on the domination contract to a more reformed …show more content…
A pressing issue within the avoidance of talking about racial inequality was the residential schools from the late 1800’s. Although the residential schools were put to an end there was still an avoidance of the topic for many years. Residential schools were not the first example of European ethnocentrism surrounding the aboriginal people, as colonization was where this domination began. However, the event of the Residential School system was the largest genocide in Canadian history. Mills racial contract, not only recognizes this sad part of Canadian history but it advocates for the change and reform of these racial inequalities. The important case one should understand, is Stephen Harpers apology to Aboriginals on June 11, 2008 (Belanger 2018). Although many would consider the apology a long time coming, the apology was demanded since the 1970’s (Belanger 2018). Along with the apology then came funds and compensation for the survivors (Belanger 2018). Therefore, this acknowledged the historical event and was an attempt of change, thus many would believe it is acceptable in the eyes of Mills and the racial contract. On the contrary, the acknowledgement of wrong doing and the
This attempt at assimilation was based upon social hierarchy and white privilege that ultimately defies the racial contract. While it is obvious that the residential school event itself defies the racial contract, I argue that the attempts of reconciliation and compensation still do not follow Charles Mills racial contract. The racial contract is an extension of the social contract, in which whites dominate societies social organization (Shabani and Deveaux 2014) In Mills argument, he states that the idea of a contractarian system within the social contract excludes people in a society based on their race (SITE BOOK). This is important because although the social contract aims to mobilize the inherent self- seeking actions of individuals, it does not provide the same protection and liberties as the racial contract does. Mills goes on to say advocate for the domination contract proposed by Philosophers Jean Jacques Rousseau because it recognizes the hierarchy in social organization (Shabani and Deveaux 2014). Not only does it recognizes this power divide, but it further allows individuals to understand the implications of social constructions in a society (Shabani and Deveaux 2014). Mills further builds on the domination contract to a more reformed …show more content…
A pressing issue within the avoidance of talking about racial inequality was the residential schools from the late 1800’s. Although the residential schools were put to an end there was still an avoidance of the topic for many years. Residential schools were not the first example of European ethnocentrism surrounding the aboriginal people, as colonization was where this domination began. However, the event of the Residential School system was the largest genocide in Canadian history. Mills racial contract, not only recognizes this sad part of Canadian history but it advocates for the change and reform of these racial inequalities. The important case one should understand, is Stephen Harpers apology to Aboriginals on June 11, 2008 (Belanger 2018). Although many would consider the apology a long time coming, the apology was demanded since the 1970’s (Belanger 2018). Along with the apology then came funds and compensation for the survivors (Belanger 2018). Therefore, this acknowledged the historical event and was an attempt of change, thus many would believe it is acceptable in the eyes of Mills and the racial contract. On the contrary, the acknowledgement of wrong doing and the