Apr21
"What about 'white malls'?" argument
The following is part of a series of entries dedicated to issues related to ethnic retailing in larger Canadian cities. The prelude entry can be found here.
Here's a criticism that's often cited by people against ethnic malls:
Can you imagine the uproar if they created malls that would only cater to people of European/Caucasian decent? As people of European/Canadian descent we have had to learn to be open and tolerant to people of different ethnic backgrounds, it is time that people of other ethnic backgrounds did the same.
I think this arguement is truly dumbfounded. I am sure that many people would not have a problem with the establishment of malls that cater to European cultural goods. For example, there are goods Germans, Italians, or Britons may have an affinity to, and I would be very happy to visit places that would capture cultural spirit! I guess IKEA's food section to a certain extent is an example of this. So was Mark's and Spencer. The thing is that many of these goods are readily available in many stores in this country, and thus niche markets such as European-flavour shopping destinations don't really exist.
Furthermore, stores in Pacific Mall for example sell culture-specific goods (e.g. cultural dinnerware, food, plush toys, and electronics) that people, particularly Asians, value. They exist because these specialized goods are not provided for in other shopping venues.
On the other hand, I would surely be offended if a "white" mall were to exist. There is a huge difference between a "white" shopping centre and a European shopping centre, as I cannot think of what are “white cultural goods and services” The emphasis is on the goods and services that these shopping establishments provide, and certainly not on who uses them.
Photo from: Tibor Kolley of the Globe and Mail
