It's interesting how some people's perceptions come across as being a bit on the misinformed side. How, they can paint a picture of one thing and then with the other side of the brush fail to recognize that their judgments don't really hold water. I'd like to share an experience I've had about this to demonstrate.
Yesterday, someone I know mentioned that her instructor told her class that the only people that are able to racially discriminate were white people. I, knowing the instructor, was a little surprised that she had said this. It seemed a little strange to me.
This person also said that all of the white students in the class were quite shocked by this and that she thought that is the kind of shock that white people need to prevent them from being racist. It was as if she, herself, believed it to be a good idea. It also made me wonder how I had ever thought that I had known her that well.
It has been my experience that racial discrimination really does exist with groups that are non-white. I have seen more than a few examples of this in my life and I cannot believe that people think it's just a disorder for whites. While talking with her, I mentioned that the country from which she emigrated from has discrimation that is sparked from what seems like its governments attempt to keep the country "pure".
In my country, if you are born here, then you are Canadian however, in her country, if your family is Korean and you are unlucky enough to be born there, you are still Korean. You cannot get a passport from the country where you were born, you must have a Korean one - even if you have never been to Korea in your life. You are able to work and pay taxes but you have no right to vote there. This is not the only example of non-white discrimination either. Sadly, there are so many other examples.
I couldn't understand the logic of her thoughts but she said that Canada is supposed to be a Multicultural country and that is why there shouldn't be racism here. However, in the country of her birth, it's alright to discriminate because it's widely accepted that the kind of discrimination exists. In our conversation it becomes clear that this person believes that it's only whites in a multicultural country that can discriminate...
The interesting thing is that this person chose to immigrate here. I suppose that she felt that it would be better to be here than the country of her birth. And I also suppose that these feelings could have very much to do with her not having been prepared for the problems that exist here. I am sorry to say that my country isn't perfect however, I also realize that there is nowhere in the world that is perfect.
I am lucky to have met many people who have chose to immigrate to this country. Some started out as international students and others came to work or to be with the one that they love. Many have told me of their long struggle to become permanent residents or even to get their citizenship. It wasn't easy and I know that many suffered discrimination however, most took responsibility for their decisions to come and make this country their home. They didn't play the "blame game" instead choosing to get on with their lives. I know that it truly couldn't be easy leaving their homes and families and most have flourished here.
I am suppose that in some cases, that a person can realize that they are over their heads and they end up transferring the blame so as not to make it their fault when things don't work out. Lots of people do this for many different reasons. It's really just human nature. People make life-changing decisions without knowing whether they can handle the results. We all have these dreams of having a better life if we do something drastic. I think that we all have to rethink this notion.
An important lesson is that one should be prepared to live with the consequences of our decisions or be willing to work for positive change in regards the issues that we feel passionately about. And there should be no room for misguided actions in these cases of fighting for what we believe in. It has to be done in a positive and understanding way. For ALL sides.
I am not suggesting that newcomers to this country give up the culture that they were brought up with. What I am proposing is that we learn to accept new cultures that are entering our country. Howver, that has to work both ways in that those who have made the decision to leave their country to live here should be accepting of the existing cultures of their new home. After all, if it were so great in their own country and not here, then why did they decide to come?
And no, I don't deny that discrimination happens here. That said, discrimination takes many forms. It can be the way that you dress, your age, the colour of your skin, your faith, your sexuality and can even be your sex. However,it's time for us to admit this kind of discrimination exists everywhere and is not specifically a white issue. It's everyone's issue.
Anyone got any ideas on this? How about ways to rid the world of discrimination? I'd love to hear them.
Yesterday, someone I know mentioned that her instructor told her class that the only people that are able to racially discriminate were white people. I, knowing the instructor, was a little surprised that she had said this. It seemed a little strange to me.
This person also said that all of the white students in the class were quite shocked by this and that she thought that is the kind of shock that white people need to prevent them from being racist. It was as if she, herself, believed it to be a good idea. It also made me wonder how I had ever thought that I had known her that well.
It has been my experience that racial discrimination really does exist with groups that are non-white. I have seen more than a few examples of this in my life and I cannot believe that people think it's just a disorder for whites. While talking with her, I mentioned that the country from which she emigrated from has discrimation that is sparked from what seems like its governments attempt to keep the country "pure".
In my country, if you are born here, then you are Canadian however, in her country, if your family is Korean and you are unlucky enough to be born there, you are still Korean. You cannot get a passport from the country where you were born, you must have a Korean one - even if you have never been to Korea in your life. You are able to work and pay taxes but you have no right to vote there. This is not the only example of non-white discrimination either. Sadly, there are so many other examples.
I couldn't understand the logic of her thoughts but she said that Canada is supposed to be a Multicultural country and that is why there shouldn't be racism here. However, in the country of her birth, it's alright to discriminate because it's widely accepted that the kind of discrimination exists. In our conversation it becomes clear that this person believes that it's only whites in a multicultural country that can discriminate...
The interesting thing is that this person chose to immigrate here. I suppose that she felt that it would be better to be here than the country of her birth. And I also suppose that these feelings could have very much to do with her not having been prepared for the problems that exist here. I am sorry to say that my country isn't perfect however, I also realize that there is nowhere in the world that is perfect.
I am lucky to have met many people who have chose to immigrate to this country. Some started out as international students and others came to work or to be with the one that they love. Many have told me of their long struggle to become permanent residents or even to get their citizenship. It wasn't easy and I know that many suffered discrimination however, most took responsibility for their decisions to come and make this country their home. They didn't play the "blame game" instead choosing to get on with their lives. I know that it truly couldn't be easy leaving their homes and families and most have flourished here.
I am suppose that in some cases, that a person can realize that they are over their heads and they end up transferring the blame so as not to make it their fault when things don't work out. Lots of people do this for many different reasons. It's really just human nature. People make life-changing decisions without knowing whether they can handle the results. We all have these dreams of having a better life if we do something drastic. I think that we all have to rethink this notion.
An important lesson is that one should be prepared to live with the consequences of our decisions or be willing to work for positive change in regards the issues that we feel passionately about. And there should be no room for misguided actions in these cases of fighting for what we believe in. It has to be done in a positive and understanding way. For ALL sides.
I am not suggesting that newcomers to this country give up the culture that they were brought up with. What I am proposing is that we learn to accept new cultures that are entering our country. Howver, that has to work both ways in that those who have made the decision to leave their country to live here should be accepting of the existing cultures of their new home. After all, if it were so great in their own country and not here, then why did they decide to come?
And no, I don't deny that discrimination happens here. That said, discrimination takes many forms. It can be the way that you dress, your age, the colour of your skin, your faith, your sexuality and can even be your sex. However,it's time for us to admit this kind of discrimination exists everywhere and is not specifically a white issue. It's everyone's issue.
Anyone got any ideas on this? How about ways to rid the world of discrimination? I'd love to hear them.
3 Comments:
No new ideas I'm afraid, I think I lean in your direction in as much that the culture people bring with them needs to respected but the preexistent culture also needs to be respected and an equilibriom of some sort sought. Iceland used to have the worst laws, whereby when you immigrated you had to change your name to a typical Icelandic one which is ridiculous, however Scotland no longer placing christmas banners out of fear of seeming racist seems equally silly to me....
tsk dunno... Love how the kids accept people without discrimination no awareness thereof and hence use the differences merely as descriptive terms as I'd use blond or brunette.
Yes, Gunnella, I agree with you about the children. Down the hall from my office is a poster that says "Race & religion mean nothing when you're a child" and then it goes on to say that it's too bad that adults cannot be the same.
Thank you for sharing!
I agree, no new ideas... it's been going on since the dawn of time, if not even before that! EVERYONE faces discrimination/racism, I think what we need to do when that happens is try to turn it around and make something positive out of it. We have to, or else we will give in to it without knowing.
Again, excellent viewpoint Lola!! When do you find the time to blog? :-) Anyway, my friend told me this comedian made a joke about racism: "It's not racism when it's true!!" I don't know whether to laugh or cry. Awful innit? Have a wonderful weekend!!
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