Discrimination

[marcinmoka]

In light of the whole French presidential issue and constant talk of discriminatory practices, I've been trying to note my own tendancies.

Namely, judgiing by my own actions, I've noticed I tend to never really discriminate against any races or ethnicities, (essentially not based on factors beyond ones control). That's the beauty of multi ethnic Canada (and the US). But that dosen't mean I do not regard people in a more sceptical light, dependant on the situation. I would say that the majority of my approaches to people tend more so to lay in factors they do control, such as dress, speech, mannerisms. When I hear of "racaille" (french hoodlums) citing racial discrimination, I'm rather vexed. Even in France were diversity is not as great (there, it is just large quantities from a small pool, whereas here it is small quantities from the world over). from what I've observed, discriminatory practices happen more so along gender (male) and (age). While some would claim that the authorities single out Arabs and Blacks for "controles" (I.D. Checks), I fbeg to differ.

Throughout all these claims of discrimination, I am yet to hear middle aged Arab men and women, working proffessional jobs citing rampant discrimination ( from the state, but amongst employers I do give this claim some creedance). I've been "controled" about 6 times while there, despite me being white as snow with blond hair. But what all 6 of these incidents had in common was how I presented myself and where I was at the time.

3 times it took place at a train station, and when I travelled, I obviously looked a bit beaten and dishelved. True, I do look a little bit "foreign" (Slavic). But I was also carrying my massive backpack and looked a traveller. They probably wanted to make sure that I was not an illegal worker from Russia. Fair Enough.

The 3 other times, it happened late at night, in somewhat "sketchy" areas, while I was coming back from work. Again, fair enough, since I was young, didn't look like a weakling who was lost and scared. Furthermore, I worked at a bar, so even without drinking, I was bound to smell a bit of alcohol.

But what the unifying factor between all these incidents was my dress and my composure. Both after work, and during long travels, I dressed comfortably and rather raggedy. I didn't want to be constricted, and just as much, I didn't want to pass of as either :

A) rich (or tourist) since both are walking wallets

B ) a victim, someone who can't defend myself.

The point of this little rant, is that like the authorites have no singled me out when I was dressed more nicely and quasi smiling, I to have similar practices. No matter what your ethnicity, history, social standing, I am bound to be more cautious around people who try to project an image of toughness. If you are a minority and you are swearing, talking ghetto slang, staring me down, and explicitly trying to look like a thug, or project an image of immaturity, I'm more cautious towards you is for those reasons, and those reasons only. I don't care if you are carribean, irish, chinese, east indian, italian, polish, arab persian or a wasp. If you actively try to dress like a trouble maker, I will perceieve you as such. I am just as sceptical of white boy dressed as such.

Cause and effect.

People will try and argue this point by stating that certain groups dress homogenously because of socio economic circumstance. That's a lie. When you're wearing a 200 Euro lacoste track suit ( France), a 40 quid Burberry hat (U.K) or a $ 180 pair of sneakers (North America) and claim you can't afford different garb because you lack the means, I laugh. People actively go to great legnths to project this tough, street wise image. So if you're constantly approached by the cops and try to imitate legitamite trouble makers....maybe it's time to take a REAL look in the MIRROR. But don't blame others and accept some responsibility.

Anyhow, what are you tendancies, or trends? We all have them (those who don't tend to get rather used and abused).

[Melanie_]

Anecdotal evidence, but here's my most recent story (of many) that tells me racism is alive and well in Canada, and that discrimination isn't based solely on how you present yourself...

My husband is Canadian, but of East Indian descent, which generally has no bearing on our day to day lives (other than fabulous curry). He plays field hockey on the Manitoba mens' team, and went to Calgary for the Indoor Nationals last month. As you might imagine, there are a number of players on the team of East Indian descent; when they got to the airport in Winnipeg and went through the gates, they were all pulled aside, frisked, and questioned. Their carry on luggage was searched with a fine tooth comb. These are men in their 30's and 40's, professionals, dressed in Western style (no turbans) and simply going to a sports tournament. I don't think they fit with your assessment that discrimination is contextual, based on dress and composure. They were travelling with the women's team, which is primarily made up of white women in their teens and twenties, and they all said they had never seen anything like this before in their lives - if your theory were true, at least some of them would have come into contact with this before.

[marcinmoka]

if your theory were true, at least some of them would have come into contact with this before.

Theory?????

Take another peek at the post.

I stated that discrimination exists, and we all practice it in one form or another. What this "theory" was about was me trying to analyze my own discriminatory practices. How is a personal account a theory?

But in case you missed it:

I've been trying to note my own tendencies.

I've noticed I tend to never really discriminate against any races or ethnicities, (essentially not based on factors beyond ones control).

I am bound to be more cautious around people who try to project an image of toughness.

If you actively try to dress like a trouble maker, I will perceive you as such.

I did not say that genuine racism and ethnic discrimination exist.

In fact, I stated they do.

To deny that would be a lie. Racism is a dangerous ideological practice and must be rooted out.

But quite often, fictional claims based on other, non-ethnic factors are used to shift the blame towards people doing their job.

True, it also does exist amongst authority, but the point I was trying to make was that it is not nearly as often based on uncontrollable factors such as ethnicity as certain people make it out to be. Sometimes people love playing the victim so as to justify them selves, even when it is unwarranted.

As per the flight, I take it he does not travel often? I've been searched, frisked and questioned quite a few times. Other times, I have not. Since 9/11, it's been done more frequently. But for the most part, it is still done at random.

[marcinmoka]

One last thing.

For all the complaining about racism in Canada, let's just put it into perspective here.

Canada, without question reigns supreme when it comes to racial integration. Even the number two spot, our friends to the south, is no where as close.

That is an accomplishment many, the world over, would wish to recreate, and something to be proud of.

[RB]

In light of the whole French presidential issue and constant talk of discriminatory practices, I've been trying to note my own tendancies.

Namely, judgiing by my own actions, I've noticed I tend to never really discriminate against any races or ethnicities, ..........

Throughout all these claims of discrimination, I am yet to hear middle aged Arab men and women, working proffessional jobs citing rampant discrimination ( from the state, but amongst employers I do give this claim some creedance). I've been "controled" about 6 times while there, despite me being white as snow with blond hair. But what all 6 of these incidents had in common was how I presented myself and where I was at the time.............

Only those with power: economic, social, political power can discriminate

It is absurd to think that blacks and arabs can discriminate as a group, they face the blunts of racism, and isolation easily - they are powerless and basically don't do very well in school, jobs or their lives in general

[ScottSA]

What a ridiculous thread. So chock full of euphemisms, political correctness and people falling all over themselves to prove either their victimhood or pious "openmindedness" that it makes me want to puke. If "racism" isn't an inate element of the human condition, it's as close to it as damn is to swearing. Any first year course in psychology will make clear that people like people who are like themselves, and any salesperson worth their salt will agree. It's not an "ideology" or a failing on anyone's part, and anyone who claims they are not in some way racist is a baldfaced liar. It's ridiculous to try to "root it out" or warp human beings into some idiotic form of slavish conformity, and it's hardly astonishing when an east indian is searched at an airport, because he may well be a Pakistani Muslim, and Muslims blow things up.

That's why we have Chinatowns and Little Pakistans and "Afro-Canadian" ghettos. That's why people don't integrate when the numerical threshold of a given racial population is attained. That's why Canada is destined, because of floodgate immigration, to become a Balkanized series of racially seperate enclaves. It's well on its way there now, and all the nice sounding platitudes about "multiculturalism", "vibrancy" and "diversity" won't change a thing.