If You Must Judge Canada

Or you can choose to keep an open mind. Your experience just might surprise you.

My Verse for Sunday Reflection:

“Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly.” – John 7:24

This reminds me of a conversation I had with my physiotherapist during my first year in Canada. He was from my home country, the Philippines, as well. During my session, he invited me to join a social gathering with fellow Filipinos. I appreciated the invitation because I had immigrated to Canada by myself, and I wanted to meet new people and make new friends.

He then went on to say, “Us Filipinos have to stick together. We’re a minority in this country and the Canadians look down on us.” I was surprised. During that time, I was already working in my first job as an Account Executive for Ford in a marketing firm. Majority of my co-workers were Canadians, but I never felt discriminated against. Rather, many were very supportive and friendly.

So I said, “I’m really sorry to hear that. Have you been discriminated against? I’ve had a different experience. My co-workers are very nice and friendly.”

He said, “Well no, but that’s how Caucasians are, right? They can be friendly on the outside, but inside they’re looking down on us. It’s better to just stick with our kind.”

I left the clinic feeling sad as I wondered how many other immigrants shared the same view. It’s sad that Canadians are judged based on our own perceptions of a Caucasian society. And it’s sad that they are judged based on our own perceptions of ourselves.

And it’s unfair to Canadians, who have opened their country to welcome immigrants. Immigration is our chance at a new beginning. Let’s come to Canada with the expectation of a brighter future, the commitment to work hard for family and country, and the intention to embrace being a Canadian.

If you choose not to judge based on skin colour, what you find in Canada may surprise you. Personally, I worked in a predominantly Caucasian company. I was hired to manage projects even though I had zero Canadian work experience. I was then promoted to a senior role after just 1.5 years. Does that sound like discrimination to you? Because it sounds like equal opportunity to me.

I chose to embrace being Canadian, where we recognize strength in diversity. Today, my closest friends are formerly from Vietnam, India, Bangladesh, China, Taiwan, Greece, Philippines, Jamaica, and of course, native-born Canadians. My outlook and perspective are all the richer for the friends I have made and the cultures I have experienced.

I hope you will choose the same. Don’t judge, and don’t come thinking you will be judged. Embrace Canada, keep an open mind, and experience first-hand that Canada truly respects you regardless of your race or gender.

“For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile – the same Lord is Lord of all all and richly blesses all who call on him…” – Romans 10:12

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