The Ethnic Vote

S1 E5: The New Normal

In this last episode of season 1, Shazma and Karan discuss how COVID-19 is affecting our lives now and what kind of new reality we might face in the future. They also talk about the latest developments in Quebec, a turning point in the government’s coronavirus response and the impact on healthcare and migrant workers on the frontlines of the crisis. Instead of book and movie recommendations, Shazma and Karan share their thoughts on Mindy Kaling’s new Netflix series “Never Have I Ever”. This is our last episode for this season, but we’ll be back in the fall with new episodes! We would love to hear how you’ve been living through these unprecedented times. Let us know on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @EthnicVoteMTL. Rate, review and subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts. Credits: Hosted and created by: Shazma Abdulla and Karan Singh Produced by: Alexandra Jurecko Music: Rewind by Jay Someday

S1 E4: Government Response and Overreach in the Time of Coronavirus

In this episode, Shazma and Karan again shift their focus from Quebec politics to discuss the federal (and provincial) government’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak. The current situation lays bare the pre-existing inequalities and inadequacies in our system that disproportionately affect vulnerable and marginalized communities. What does the government’s response to battle the spread of COVD-19 mean in terms of government overreach and the rights to citizens? We talk about the eroding trust in our institutions and the debate between individual freedom vs. public good. Karan’s picks: "Schitt’s Creek" (2015, CBC) and "Kabhi Khushi Khabie Gham", a 2001 film by Karan Johar Shazma’s picks: “Girl, Woman, Other” by Bernadine Evaristo We would love to hear how you’ve been living through these unprecedented times. Let us know on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @EthnicVoteMTL. Rate, review and subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hosted and created by: Shazma Abdulla and Karan Singh Produced by: Alexandra Jurecko Music: Rewind by Jay Someday Our next episode airs on May 12, 2020!

S1 E3: Wash your hands, try to stay healthy and don’t be racist

In this episode of the Ethnic Vote, Shazma and Karan talk about the spread of misinformation in wake of the coronavirus. They discuss the uneven media response to the outbreak and the impact felt by Asian communities. For more information on COVID-19, start here: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019 Later in this episode, Shazma and Karan also touch on the rail protests held by Indigenous communities across Canada and the recent violence in India. Is India still the world’s largest democracy, where minorities are being targeted? An interesting read is this former Indian Prime Minister’s piece on the current situation in India: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/manmohan-singh-column-an-unrest-a-slowdown-and-a-health-epidemic/article30993765.ece Shazma’s picks: "Naturally Tan" by Tan France Karan’s movie picks: "Shubh Mangal Zyaada Savdhaan", Bollywood’s first gay love story. Two leading actors push the boundaries of what is acceptable to the Indian audience. Kudos to actor Ayushmaan Khurana and Jeetendra Kumar for leading the charge. "Beanpole" by Kantemir Balagov, a Russian drama set in World War II. We would love to hear what you think! Rate, review and subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts. You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @EthnicVoteMTL Credits: Hosted and created by: Shazma Abdulla and Karan Singh Produced by: Alexandra Jurecko Music: Rewind by Jay Someday (https://soundcloud.com/jaysomeday)

S1 E2: Quebec and its Values (Test)

Shazma and Karan talk about the new Values Test legislation (implemented through the Act to increase Quebec’s socio-economic prosperity and adequately meet labour market needs through successful immigrant integration, Bill 9) that was finally introduced by the Quebec Government. This was one of the principal electoral promises of the CAQ. Will the law withstand a Charter challenge and what does this mean for the larger discussion around systemic racism? We also talk about the proposed changes being made to the education system in Quebec, particularly the teaching of Religious History and Ethics in schools. For more information: Bill 9 (http://www.assnat.qc.ca/en/travaux-parlementaires/projets-loi/projet-loi-9-42-1.html?appelant=MC) Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/csj-sjc/rfc-dlc/ccrf-ccdl/check/art2a.html) Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms (http://legisquebec.gouv.qc.ca/en/showdoc/cs/C-12) Check out our earlier episode “Episode 3: The Problem with Secularism” for more information on Secularism in the context of Quebec. Karan’s film pick: “A Hidden Life” (2009) film by Terrence Malick Shazma’s reading pick: “The Circle” (2013) novel by Dave Eggers We would love to hear what you think! Rate, review and subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts. You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @EthnicVoteMTL Credits: Hosted and created by: Shazma Abdulla and Karan Singh Produced by: Alexandra Jurecko Music: Rewind by Jay Someday (https://soundcloud.com/jaysomeday) The next episode of the Ethnic Vote will be released on March 10, 2020!

S1 E1: Pulling the Race Card in Quebec

Karan and Shazma discuss the “controversy” surrounding the Liberal Party of Quebec’s leadership candidate Dominique Anglad, and questions around race and belonging abound as a result. We problematize the LPQ leadership race, discuss “pulling the race card”, what it means to be Quebecois/Quebecoise, belonging as a person of colour in Quebec, For more information: Information on the 2020 PLQ Leadership Race Public Consultations on Systemic Racism in Quebec Karan’s picks: Find Me by Andre Aciman Knives Out Parasite Shazma’s picks: Blindspot: Hidden Biases of Good People by Mahzarin Banaji and Anthony Greenwald The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel We would love to hear what you think! Rate, review and subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts. You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @EthnicVoteMTL Credits: Hosted and created by: Shazma Abdulla and Karan Singh Produced by: Alexandra Jurecko Music: Rewind by Jay Someday (https://soundcloud.com/jaysomeday)