2000/2001 PCERII Funded Research Abstract
| Research Title: | Perceptions of Racism and Hate Crimes in Calgary: Effects on the Lived Experience |
| Research Team: | Valerie Pruegger University of Calgary - Principal Investigator |
| Jerilynn Kiely City of Calgary | |
| Edna Cho |
| Research Domain(s): | Health |
In recent publications both Health Canada and the Calgary Multicultural Health Care Initiative identified racism and hate crimes as understudied variables impacting health directly, and indirectly as they affect education and employment opportunities. There is an even greater paucity of research that examines these issues with young people. In this study, interviews with youth in Calgary from a wide range of backgrounds explored the impact of racism and hate crimes on their health, education, and employment experiences. Through action research methodology, 106 youth participated in all phases of the research and were empowered to identify and enact their own solutions in a community development model. The data provided policy makers in health care, education, employment, and justice systems with a youth perspective on the prevalence and impact of racism and hate crimes, and is being used to assist youth in developing youth driven and youth defined strategies for combating racism in Calgary. One tangible result has been the youth developed report hate website www.reporthate.org. This research also helps us understand the impact of a racialized environment on newcomers and their children.