Ethnocentrism, Xenophobia, and the Praxis Multiculturalism:Reading Canadian Scenario in the Select Stories of Dionne Brand

Abstract

This article examines how ethnocentrism and xenophobia underlie the multicultural mosaic of the Canadian society as revealed in Dionne Brand’s short story collection titled “Sans Souci and Other Stories.” It attempts to establish that colonial enterprises largely holds responsibility for the flawed consciousnesses like ethnocentrism, xenophobia and racism. In line with the arguments made by Ludwig Gumplowic, William Graham Sumner, and Shreya Atrey, the article argues that these consciousnesses stem from “cultural narrowness” created around one’s ethnicity, culture, religion, nationality etc. The article analyses the experiences of the characters who migrated to Canada to prove that the feelings of ethnocentrism, xenophobia and racism are still extant.  Brand, known for her incisive critique of colonialism, racism, and cultural dislocation, explores themes of exclusion, prejudice, and systemic marginalization in this collection. By analysing the select stories, this article highlights how xenophobia operates at interpersonal and institutional levels and the ways in which Brand’s characters navigate and resist these oppressive dynamics. This exploration contributes to a broader understanding of how literature reflects and challenges xenophobic ideologies.