Deconstructing Whiteness: An Analysis of Dominant Perceptions of Chinese University Students by Elisabeth Sian Dennis A thesis submitted in conformity with the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts Department of Social Justice Education University of Toronto © Copyright by Elisabeth Sian Dennis 2018 Deconstructing Whiteness: An Analysis of Dominant Perceptions of Chinese University Students Elisabeth Sian Dennis Master of Arts Department of Social Justice Education University of Toronto 2018 Abstract Through analysis of results from four in-depth interviews and two online forums, this thesis examines the current views White Canadian university students hold about Chinese students at the University of British Columbia. Drawing on critical Whiteness studies and Foucauldian critical discourse analysis, this study aims to examine the complex ways White hegemony is perpetuated on university campuses. The results reveal that historical constructions of Chinese Canadians as foreign and threatening were perpetuated at the university. Additionally, the results show that although the interviewed students recognized the existence of racism on campus, they minimized its effects and denied the level of privilege they held. The thesis concludes by exploring the larger policy and educational implications of these views, as well as the possible consequences for Chinese students. ii Acknowledgments First, I would like to acknowledge my supervisor Dr. George Sefa Dei for his scholarship, knowledge, and guidance throughout this degree and thesis project. I would also like to thank Dr. Nina Bascia for her support, encouragement, and guidance on all things educational policy. This project would not have been possible without either of them. I would also like to thank my colleagues and friends in the department of Social Justice Education for sharing your knowledge and encouraging me to see this project through. Muhammad and Meng, thank you for always being there to listen and supporting me in any way I needed. Anne, thank you for your friendship and the endless hours you spent going through each and every word with me, and for not letting me give up. To my family, thank you for the endless support despite your opposition to me moving across the country. I am especially grateful to my amazing sister Laura: thanks for being an amazing editor as well as a great support system. Kellie, thank you for your patience, love, and encouragement, and for being my rock through this process. iii Table of Contents Acknowledgments.......................................................................................................................... iii Table of Contents ........................................................................................................................... iv List of Tables ................................................................................................................................ vii List of Appendices ....................................................................................................................... viii Introduction .................................................................................................................................1 1.1 Background: Anti-Chinese Racism in Vancouver ...............................................................1 1.2 Scope of Study .....................................................................................................................3 1.3 Self Location ........................................................................................................................5 1.4 Clarification of Terms ..........................................................................................................6 1.5 Whiteness in Canadian Education .......................................................................................7 1.6 Chapter Overview ..............................................................................................................10 Literature Review ......................................................................................................................11 2.1 Attitudes Towards Asian Americans .................................................................................11 2.1.1 In Education ...........................................................................................................12 2.2 Shifting Discourses of Asian Americans ...........................................................................15 2.3 The Role of Whiteness .......................................................................................................17 2.4 Canadian Context ...............................................................................................................20 2.5 Gaps in the Literature.........................................................................................................22 2.6 Point of Departure ..............................................................................................................24 Theoretical Framework .............................................................................................................25 3.1 Critical Whiteness Studies .................................................................................................25 3.1.1 Denial of Privilege .................................................................................................25 3.1.2 Fluidity of Whiteness .............................................................................................27 iv 3.1.3 Anti-Racist Approach to Whiteness Studies ..........................................................29 3.2 Critical Discourse Analysis................................................................................................30 3.3 A Critical Analysis of Historical Discourses of Chinese Canadians .................................32 3.3.1 100 Years of “Yellow Peril” ..................................................................................32 3.3.2 Model Citizens: Constructing Asian Americans in Opposition to Other Minority Groups.....................................................................................................33 3.3.3 Model, But Still Not Accepted: Discourses of Perpetual Foreigner ......................35 3.4 Summary ............................................................................................................................37 Methodology .............................................................................................................................38 4.1 Connection to Theoretical Frameworks .............................................................................38 4.2 Data Collection ..................................................................................................................39 4.3 Data Analysis .....................................................................................................................42 4.4 Challenges & Limitations ..................................................................................................44 4.5 Researcher Positionality.....................................................................................................46 Research Findings: Perceptions of Chinese Students ...............................................................48 5.1 Interview Findings .............................................................................................................48 5.1.1 Model Minority ......................................................................................................49 5.1.2 Yellow Peril ...........................................................................................................51 5.1.3 Perpetual Foreigner ................................................................................................53 5.2 Social Media Findings .......................................................................................................55 5.2.1 UBC Confessions ...................................................................................................55 5.2.2 UBC Subreddit .......................................................................................................58 5.3 Discussion ..........................................................................................................................60 5.4 Summary ............................................................................................................................67 Research Findings: Maintenance of White Hegemony .............................................................68 6.1 Results ................................................................................................................................68 v 6.1.1 Individualized Definition of Racism ......................................................................68 6.1.2 Denial of privilege .................................................................................................71 6.1.3 Perceptions of International Student Privilege ......................................................73 6.2 Discussion ..........................................................................................................................77 6.3 Summary ............................................................................................................................80 Conclusion ................................................................................................................................82