Change is Bound to Come
I have enjoyed reading this blog. I was happy to see that this blogger is indeed rattling his cage. As an immigrant from the third world myself, I have faced similar feelings that Cinni Kull did and on some days felt a level of frustration that I did not think would ever end.
Perhaps behind my sense of agony about not ‘’succeeding” in Canada was my viewpoint which was shaped by my experiences thus far. In other words:
- An original culture where it sufficed to have the education to get by and do well in life. One had the right credentials in a society where so many were under-qualified.
- An original world, where I had the advantage of social stratification rather than the disadvantage.
- An education where creativity was not necessary for success. The playing field was not flat.
Remember it is easy to find work in the world, because capital is inherently exploitative. It is much harder to find roots and citizenship. In other words, lack of success isn’t because of accent, skin color or the racism or prejudice of others, but because people haven’t adapted to the conditions and found a creative solution.
Unfortunately thats just how it is. There is no spokesperson for immigrants, and the ones who are, as Cinni Kull so rightly pointed, are in it to make some money from the Canadian Government which is happy to finance ridiculous studies.
As voices continue to agitate, through the Internet and in other ways, change is bound to come — if only because Canada has to survive. In the meanwhile, let’s not focus on how it must be our skin colour or accent etc. Doing that only transfers power from yourself to others and drains you and others of the energy and creativity required to succeed and bring solutions rather than problems to the situation.
You are Canadian. Nothing can take that away. You have unique skills to offer this society.
December 8th, 2009 at 9:36 pm
It is always hard to fit in. I’m not from the “Third World” (I’m French) but I still get frustrated sometimes. My degrees are not recognized, I’m starting university from year 1. When I see studies of average income for Canadians, I cringe – I’m way way below.
Yet I like it here.
January 20th, 2010 at 4:47 am
“lack of success isn’t because of accent, skin color or the racism or prejudice of others, but because people haven’t adapted to the conditions and found a creative solution.”
I can only agree with this point half because, in many countries, most of people also discriminate against skin color or the racism.
January 24th, 2010 at 2:00 pm
If there’s a desire to get ahead, I believe nothing can stand in one’s way, especially not strange terms like “Not having Canadian experience”.
However, it is important to merge in rather than try hard to stand out, I guess that’s where it’s important to know the ‘laws of the land’ so to say. Not too much to ask, EH? hehehe.
February 15th, 2010 at 10:06 am
As an invisible-minority the shingle that hung above my head squeaking and blowing in a -20 wind read ‘no canadian experience and no canadian credentials’
Eh – hang on Canada what’s wrong with this picture?
I look like you, talk like you, (well with a slight accent) and I studied the same curriculum in school as you!
The guest blogger Mimzical stated ‘change is bound to come – if only Canada has to survive’.
Canada has a long journey ahead in understanding and respecting diversity.
Louise Jamieson (my name) could be Canadian! Even this does not help to open the Canadian door.
Fellow new comers don’t change your name so a Canadian can pronounce it easier, this will not change your chances of getting a job!
The issues run a lot deeper than what is inferred by a name.
Boo – who’s scared of change..
March 3rd, 2010 at 10:27 am
This is all fine to hear. The government of Canada imposed an open door policy and multiculturalism guidelines without consulting its citizens. Descendents of people who fought for this country, forged a new land were told, not asked if they would like overnight change to their way of life. It wasnt gradual but overnight. We as Canadians have faced several economic downturns since 1990 and the government hasnt streamlined and assisted qualified people from coming here. Instead they allowed anyone to come here. Many of these people lack qualifications, language skills, and have required some form of social assistance. Meanwhile there are a lot of Canadians who have put up with the criticisms of foreigners complaining while this country has been generous, tolerant, and maintained an open door policy in times of economic hardship. Many countries around the world would not practice these rituals in order to protect the people who are from that nation, help build it, paid taxes, and fought to protect it. Canadians simply put up with it while the government doesnt protect its people, creates adversity, and listens to foreigners complain about the way of life here. Nobody has forced them to come here and complain and nobody is forcing them to stay. Perhaps another country less generous would be more appropriate so that peoples birth rights are not further compromised.