Racism?

[Karl Blues]

One line you said really makes sense: "you get what you give".

The 'nice' Canadian itself is a stereotype. There are nice Canadians, and not nice Canadians.

I infer from what you are saying that Canadians have good manners & etiquette. I have seen bad manners from all kinds of Canadians, white & otherwise. I have seen good manners too. There are those who say people in the 3rd world are much warmer and more hospitable than Canadians. In Africa, I was invited in to people's homes that I had just met. I would love it if Canadians embraced that kind of "culture".

I have travelled much of the world too, and had lots of great experiences and some not so good. People are people, regardless of colour, background & this vague thing called "culture".

What I take issue with is your taking some negative experiences and applying it to an entire race. That is the very definition of racism. Once you get to know a person, after a while all the physical attributes disappear. Then they are just a person you like or dislike. Racism prevents a person from the opportunity of discovering and learning.

Canada is changing rapidly, like it or not. Those who embrace it will find great opportunity. Those who don't will simply miss out.

 

[Ray]

walk by a school playground someday…groups of kids speak THEIR language, while the minority ‘white kids’ are excluded.

I'm not sure which suburb you live in, but growing up in East Van, every ethnic group you can think of was represented.
I drive by the school I went to many years ago, and I don't see this segregation you speak of. Everyone interacts with everyone else.
It's the same with the kids with the sports they play. Whether it's hockey, or lacrosse, or soccer, whatever, every nationality and religious group is out there, playing and interacting as a TEAM.

I find it quite fascinating that the divisions that existed when I was a kid doesn't seem to be there anymore.

You will also notice that the kids nowdays will enter the dating scene with absolute disregard to racial or ethnic divisions. There was a little bit of this when I was growing up, it is far more prevalent now.
Our society is changing, slowly, into a more homogeneous society. I like it.

We have a culture that is unique.
'themiff' touched on it.
We have a culture that is polite and respectful to others. An inclusive attitude. We are not chauvinistic and walk around feeling superior to others. We don't segregate ourselves.
These may be things we take for granted, and may think these are universal attitudes. Travel, and you will see it is not.

There is a perception that immigrants don't wish to integrate and become 'Canadian'. This is a misconception.
First generation immigrants will try hard to maintain traditions from the 'old country'. Won't want to forget where they're from.
This happens in all communities, whether they're from Europe, South America, or China and India.
The second generation immigrant doesn't have a strong tie to the 'old country' but relates to it through the parents stories and perhaps trips during the holidays.
The third generation will be Canadian, with no ties to any other country or culture.

I see this within my own family, with my friends and coworkers.

If you see someone who hasn't blended in, they're new. Their kids will be 'one of us'.

 

[Ray]

There seems to be a concentration of blacks around the Broadway/Fraser area.
I also have seen groups of Somalis/Ethiopian immigrants around Richmond as well.

Not as large in numbers as most US cities or Toronto, but they're there.

 

[Thatotherguy]

you don't have a culture, get used to it.

Perhaps the most ignorant statement I've heard in a hell of a long time... Clearly you don't consider yourself a part of Canadian culture. That makes you a part of the problem.

One of the most defining elements of Canadian culture is being welcoming and inclusive. To that end, I strongly support immigration. Hell, almost all of my friends are either immigrants or the sons/daughters of immigrants from numerous different countries (OK, mostly from China and India, but plenty of other countries are represented as well). I'm the son of immigrants myself. One thing that we all have in common is that we've all embraced Canadian culture. That doesn't mean that you abandon and ignore the culture of the country that you or your parents emmigrated from. That culture is a part of you, and it's not something that you should deny. It does mean that you should integrate yourself into Canadian culture.

From my own personal experience, I would estimate that at least 90% of the racists I've ever encountered in this great nation have been immigrants who have made no attempt to integrate into or embrace Canadian culture. When you think about it, it's not surprising. Racism is born of ignorance. If you surround yourself with people who think and act just like you, and keep yourself isolated from other cultures, then of course that breeds ignorance.

So what it boils down to, is that I say let people immigrate from all over the world, as long as they're willing to become a part of Canadian society and culture. If you're going to segregate yourself, then stay in your own country. We don't need that attitude here.

 

[Thatotherguy]

There seems to be a concentration of blacks around the Broadway/Fraser area.

I wouldn't really say there's a concentration in that area. A few more per capita than in most other areas of the lower mainland, but not by a lot IMO. I've never really understood why we seem to get so few black immigrants in BC.

 

[edmontonsubbie]

not to denigrate the validity of all those other cool threads....but, I will say that having just read page two of this one....I think it's a pretty damn cool thread. Some thoughtful input went on.

I think even Audrey would find it hard to argue, maybe not though. Audrey....I have a question though. My first girlfriend ..... well, the first girl who let me do "that"...yanno what I mean...was named Audrey. So I have this thing about that name. And, of course, I have to wonder...is that you Audrey? Have you changed so much? You were really cool in the rain on the third green of the Greenwood golf course way back when....what happened?

I still love ya.....I can't be with someone that way and not do exactly that.

Hugs,

eddie.


errrr...before I piss of an inadvertent Audrey....i was referring to the Audrey who started the "How can you do this?"...or something similarly titled thread in the General Discussion section. I confuse myself often enough, I shouldn't confuse you.