(no subject)
Had dinner with my partner's parents today. Normally a good time had by all. Except today. Today my partner's father - we'll call him Dumbass - for this exercise, decided to share his opinions on multiculturalism and the workplace.
Let me first introduce the small bum-fuck nowhere town I live in. Our town has 18 thousand people. 18 thousand white, mostly God fearing conservative people who have lived here all their lives. In the past 3 years, we've had an influx of new Canadians, specifically peoples from the Philippines. In the past three years, there has been a stronger worker representation from the Philipino community. Specifically minimum wage jobs - fast food, gas jocky, convenience store workers, etc... - jobs that require you to work weekends; make next to nothing; work with the public; and are not paid what they are worth.
Now, Dumbass feels that "them folk" are pushing out the White workers. Because at the Nationally franchised coffee store, there are "not a white person working behind the counter". Um? Really? Do you realize why there is a strong Philipino presence at this establishment? Because no one else in this community wants to work at the place where you frequent. No one else in this community wants to work weekends; make at most ten cents over minimum wage; no one else wants to put up with assholes like you. I don't think that most people want to live in an apartment with three other families, just so they can save enough money to sponsor family members to Canada, and to pay the rent.
But, clearly this epidemic of non-white "them folk" is spreading, because Dumbass went to the local Credit Union and saw not one, but two of "them folk" working there! How dare they push out the white folk there! Because it would be just a damn shame for a New-Canadian to better themselves, and work at a bank, rather than at a fast food joint. What shame!
Now, what really gets Dumbass's goat is when people from far away waltz into Canada and have the audasity to a) not speak English, b) not speak English with a Canadian accent - so Dumbass can understand whomever he is talking to, c) take all of our jobs. Really? I don't think Dumbass has ever experienced what it is to be a minority. I have. I've lived abroad where I do not look like everyone else; I didn't know the language; I tried very hard to learn the language; I experienced the racism Dumbass is spouting; experienced the narrow-mindedness that is Dumbass's mantra.
I don't feel that anyone can just waltz into Canada - except if you are super rich and can work the whole loophole of citizenship if you are loaded. I don't think that Johnny or Sue who are just 'off the boat' can assimilate into "Canadian Culture" - which if you could precisely define for me, I would greatly appreciate it. I feel that every time I encounter a New-Canadian in a work situation, and they say "Good morning Mame, how can I help you"? I feel that person is making an effort to converse in English. But heaven forbid if said person has a strong accent and doesn't speak English clearly! Um, speaking English, and your inability to understand different accents is not an indicator that someone is speaking poor English. It just means that you can't understand their accent!!!!!
And finally, but more importantly, "them folk" are Canadian citizens. At least in my eyes. If you pass your citizenship exam, you are Canadian. I am third generation Canadian on one side, and second generation on the other. However, Dumbass feels that anyone with an accent, pardon me - a Canadian accent - is not a Canadian citizen. And I've heard this argument from other people in this community. My question for them, is how many generations of Canadian do you have to have to be properly Canadian? Or is it until you, yourself are able to understand what that person is saying?
When thinking of Canada, what are some things we value? Living in a country at peace; our freedoms and liberties; our perception of gender equality; being treated with respect and treating others with respect; living in a diverse/multicultural country; etc.... Dumbass is quite patriotic in that sense. He feels he is very 'Canadian', and yet in the exact same breath he is so willing to treat people HE doesn't view as Canadian in such a disrespectful manner.
At this moment, I can't wait to skip town, and live amongst civilized modern day people. Because how I see Dumbass's perception of the world, we are all blonde hair, blue eyed, and all say "Yes sir; No sir; Three bags full sir."
Let me first introduce the small bum-fuck nowhere town I live in. Our town has 18 thousand people. 18 thousand white, mostly God fearing conservative people who have lived here all their lives. In the past 3 years, we've had an influx of new Canadians, specifically peoples from the Philippines. In the past three years, there has been a stronger worker representation from the Philipino community. Specifically minimum wage jobs - fast food, gas jocky, convenience store workers, etc... - jobs that require you to work weekends; make next to nothing; work with the public; and are not paid what they are worth.
Now, Dumbass feels that "them folk" are pushing out the White workers. Because at the Nationally franchised coffee store, there are "not a white person working behind the counter". Um? Really? Do you realize why there is a strong Philipino presence at this establishment? Because no one else in this community wants to work at the place where you frequent. No one else in this community wants to work weekends; make at most ten cents over minimum wage; no one else wants to put up with assholes like you. I don't think that most people want to live in an apartment with three other families, just so they can save enough money to sponsor family members to Canada, and to pay the rent.
But, clearly this epidemic of non-white "them folk" is spreading, because Dumbass went to the local Credit Union and saw not one, but two of "them folk" working there! How dare they push out the white folk there! Because it would be just a damn shame for a New-Canadian to better themselves, and work at a bank, rather than at a fast food joint. What shame!
Now, what really gets Dumbass's goat is when people from far away waltz into Canada and have the audasity to a) not speak English, b) not speak English with a Canadian accent - so Dumbass can understand whomever he is talking to, c) take all of our jobs. Really? I don't think Dumbass has ever experienced what it is to be a minority. I have. I've lived abroad where I do not look like everyone else; I didn't know the language; I tried very hard to learn the language; I experienced the racism Dumbass is spouting; experienced the narrow-mindedness that is Dumbass's mantra.
I don't feel that anyone can just waltz into Canada - except if you are super rich and can work the whole loophole of citizenship if you are loaded. I don't think that Johnny or Sue who are just 'off the boat' can assimilate into "Canadian Culture" - which if you could precisely define for me, I would greatly appreciate it. I feel that every time I encounter a New-Canadian in a work situation, and they say "Good morning Mame, how can I help you"? I feel that person is making an effort to converse in English. But heaven forbid if said person has a strong accent and doesn't speak English clearly! Um, speaking English, and your inability to understand different accents is not an indicator that someone is speaking poor English. It just means that you can't understand their accent!!!!!
And finally, but more importantly, "them folk" are Canadian citizens. At least in my eyes. If you pass your citizenship exam, you are Canadian. I am third generation Canadian on one side, and second generation on the other. However, Dumbass feels that anyone with an accent, pardon me - a Canadian accent - is not a Canadian citizen. And I've heard this argument from other people in this community. My question for them, is how many generations of Canadian do you have to have to be properly Canadian? Or is it until you, yourself are able to understand what that person is saying?
When thinking of Canada, what are some things we value? Living in a country at peace; our freedoms and liberties; our perception of gender equality; being treated with respect and treating others with respect; living in a diverse/multicultural country; etc.... Dumbass is quite patriotic in that sense. He feels he is very 'Canadian', and yet in the exact same breath he is so willing to treat people HE doesn't view as Canadian in such a disrespectful manner.
At this moment, I can't wait to skip town, and live amongst civilized modern day people. Because how I see Dumbass's perception of the world, we are all blonde hair, blue eyed, and all say "Yes sir; No sir; Three bags full sir."