Unmasking Racism in Canada

A Journey of Learning, Resilience, and Rediscovery

Unmasking Racism in Canada: A Journey of Learning, Resilience, and Rediscovery

Racism in Canada by AI

Canada is often celebrated for its diversity and inclusivity, touted as a beacon of multicultural harmony. Yet, as with any narrative, the reality is far more complex. As an ethnic minority who has lived across different countries, I’ve encountered a range of experiences, some inspiring, others disheartening. Reflecting on these moments has taught me not only about the flaws in societal perceptions but also about my resilience and capacity for growth.

This journey is deeply personal, but it underscores broader lessons about racism, identity, and the work still needed to make diversity a lived reality.

Early Encounters: A Tale of Two Schools

Quebec Province Primary School by AI

Growing up in Quebec province in the late 1980s and early 1990s, my earliest brushes with racism began at school. Initially, I attended a then-English-speaking “Canadian” school, where multiculturalism was celebrated. Programs supported non-French-speaking students, and racism was actively discouraged. For a while, this environment felt safe.

However, the dynamic shifted dramatically when I transferred to a French-speaking Quebecois school, École Samuel-De Champlain. These schools, influenced by Quebec separatism, were less diverse, offered no support for non-native French speakers, and often lacked the multicultural ethos of Canadian schools at the time.

The first incident I remember was a stark awakening. One morning, as I walked to class, a group of French-speaking kids mocked me with “Ching-Chang-Chong” noises and slurs like “Chin-tok” (a derogatory term akin to “Chink” in French). Some laughed, while others turned a blind eye. The casualness of their cruelty was as painful as the words themselves.

Things escalated when a group of boys attacked me, tore through my belongings, and told me to “go back to China” in French. Their resentment seemed rooted in fears of immigrants “stealing” their parents’ jobs or threatening their cultural identity. The indifference of those around me made the isolation even more profound.