Multiculturalism and Racism

We’ve had a hard week of Cath Mac. The seminar this week was on multiculturalism. In the process of talking about what it would be like to be someone from another country coming here, and the disadvantages and assumptions that would be faced, I remembered that I’m from another country. And that people make assumptions about me. I look like a generic person of European descent, so I don’t have the same hardships that someone from Somalia or India might have….but as soon as I open my mouth, the judgement begins. I had actually forgotten this. And I thought that I was mostly immune to it these days. But I was wrong.

During our small group session, the judgments came out again. And in the usual racist guise of “of course I don’t mean you!” But it does mean me. If you think that all Americans are loud, rude, pushy, and inconsiderate of other cultures, you’re talking about me. And saying that members of another country or culture are all alike is unacceptable. We’re not all alike. We are all human beings, and we all have personalities, histories, and sensibilities that make us different. I would no more join any sort of bus tour than I would step on someone else’s flag. But that’s who I am. And the rude, inconsiderate people exist in every culture. Including yours. So when you see someone who looks different, or speaks with a different accent, try to avoid making assumptions. Get to know us before you decide that we are any sort of “type” of person. You’re missing out on a lot if you don’t.

We visited the Mercy Employment Services office and the Ishar Multicultural Women’s Centre as part of this seminar. The Employment Services office works with people who are having a hard time finding employment due to cultural problems, emotional issues (victims of torture and trauma), mental health issues, drug issues, and a whole host of other barriers to finding and keeping a job. They had some amazing success stories. And I admire the people who are so very giving of their time and mental and emotional energy. But I can’t imagine working there myself. I would feel unsafe (the mental health and drug issues mostly), and very depressed. There are so many negative stories, and only a few positives. I’m glad that someone can do this work. It needs to be done. But I can’t do it.

The Ishar Centre was another story. This is a place where women and their children can come for support, for classes, for social interaction, and for any sort of help that they might need. They have parenting classes, multicultural playgroups, teens groups, and all sorts of other classes. I need to find out more about this place, and see if there is some way that I can be involved with them. They are truly inspirational and uplifting.