Hope Found in Immigration (Zhu n.d)
By: Stephie Lee Varghese
Immigration can be defined as the process of moving to a new country permanently.
Many people find a sense of comfort in leaving their country to be greeted by a safe and welcoming land, trading their colourless lives for one filled with opportunities to paint their canvas in the brightest shades.
Between 2011 and 2016, people from China, France, India, Iran, Pakistan, Philippines, Syria, the United Kingdom, the United States and more were immigrating to Canada.
Canada has been an immigration hub over the past few years, “with a total of 284,387 people immigrating to the country between July 1, 2019 and June 30, 2020” (Statista n.d).
These immigrants chose to move to Canada in hope of better healthcare, education, job opportunities, access to basic necessities and much more for the betterment of their lifestyle.
Additionally, immigration benefits Canada in many ways as well.
With more people immigrating to Canada, there are infinite amounts of skill, qualification and assistance that can be useful in the workforce. Hence, many immigrants contribute to Canada’s economy. This allows the economy to grow and fund public services such as healthcare and education to some extent.
Immigration also makes Canada more ethnically and religiously diverse, which may be appealing to potential immigrants as they could meet like-minded people. As a result, this brings in more people into Canada to start their new life.
However, adjusting to a whole new lifestyle has its challenges, some of them being language barriers, encountering stereotypes and cultural differences . Moreover, there has been an increase in hate crimes against immigrants due to a lack of knowledge and understanding between communities.
People Choosing to be a Bystander in Times of Need (Haridy 2019)
An interview was held with a family member who immigrated to Canada in 2016 when she had encountered a terrifying experience. She has asked to keep her name anonymous.
The interviewee was at a Tim Hortons when she decided to use the washroom. On her way, a Caucasian man stopped her and yelled at her saying that ‘her people were ruining this country’ and that ‘she was stealing their land and jobs’.
The interviewee stated, “I was terrified, I just grabbed my purse and walked away from him as fast as I could. I was unsure if he had a weapon on him. No one in the area helped me out, they just walked by like nothing ever happened” (Anonymous 2021).
Many immigrants have come across scenarios where people have told them that they do not belong in Canada or that they have been stealing from people who lived here prior to them. However, each immigrant has various skills to offer that can be used for the betterment of society.
Family that was Killed in the Targeted Attack in London (CCNC-SJ n.d)
Another attack recently occurred in London, Ontario where an innocent Muslim family was targeted. “A Canadian-Pakistani family...murdered for simply taking an evening stroll in their neighborhood wearing traditional garb” (Mankani 2021).
The attack left the parents, grandparents and the older sibling dead along with an orphaned nine year old boy. The Muslim communites in Canada were extremely shocked by this hate crime.
“For many Muslim immigrants, Canada has represented a beacon of safety. But in recent years some have begun to question that belief, and wonder aloud if their children will be able to practice their religion openly without fear” (Mankani 2021).
These incidents have led many people in the Muslim community to live in fear. They do not deserve to be treated this way based on their beliefs. As a basic human right, they must be free to express their religion and be treated with respect.
Fighting for Asian Rights (Chiu n.d)
Furthermore, many immigrants have been victim to being called racist names that have been pinned on them by small minded people.
For instance, there has been a rise in Asian hate due to the Covid pandemic. In June 2021, Amanda Poh was taking a stroll in her neighbourhood when two Caucasian boys on bicycles made comments such as ‘ching chong’ and ‘konnichiwa’ due to her ethnicity. Moreover, they pretended to sneeze and uttered the words ‘coronavirus’ as well.
This incident led to an online survey, “revealing more about the scope of discrimination Chinese-Canadians have been facing during the COVID-19 crisis… The survey found 64 per cent of respondents have felt like they’ve been treated with less respect than other people because of their ethnicity. Half of the people said they’ve been called names or insulted while 43 per cent have been personally threatened or intimidated” (Weisgarber & Jung 2020).
Due to such incidents, many Asian Canadian parents are terrified of sending their children to school. They believe that they could be bullied because of their appearance, skin and culture. Moreover, they are frightened by the thought of their children being blamed and threatened due to the coronavirus.
Barbara Lee, the founder of Elimin8Hate campaign stated that, “even when Asian Canadians have lived in Canada for generations, they’re still viewed as foreigners in their own country” (Weisgarber & Jung 2020).
Asian Canadians have been part of the Canadian society for decades. Many have done their part by working and contributing to the economy. They do not deserve to be silenced and shunned away due to the false remarks made by people.
Power of Diversity (Anne 2020)
There have been many hate crimes against immigrants because of their races, beliefs and traditions. Their idea of starting a new life with safety and security has been tainted.
Hate is a disease that infects everyone who chooses to be close minded. It is learnt not taught.
Society must educate themselves.
The human race must learn to accept each other's differences. Only then will society be able to function smoothly in peace and harmony.
Diversity generates more strategies and solutions which can be used for the betterment of everyone.
Providing all immigrants with the right tools and respecting their way of life must be a top priority. This way they may create their own story with the brightest colours, fulfilling their hopes and dreams of starting a new life.
In the end, all immigrants deserve to have a smooth transition from their old lives, to be respected and accepted by mankind.
Works Cited
Anne, Elizabeth. “MY ADVENTURES, YOUR ENTERTAINMENT.” Elizabeth Anne, 25 Nov. 2020, simplyelizabethanne.wordpress.com/2020/11/25/93/.
“Concrete Action Needed Against Islamophobia in Canada.” Human Rights Watch, 1 July 2021, www.hrw.org/news/2021/07/01/concrete-action-needed-against-islamophobia-canada.
Design. “Statement on the Attack on the Muslim Family in London, Ontario - Ccnc - SJ.” CCNC, 8 June 2021, ccncsj.ca/statement-on-the-attack-on-the-muslim-family-in-london-ontario/.
Government of Canada, Statistics Canada. “Focus on Geography Series, 2016 Census.” Canada, 18 Apr. 2019, www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2016/as-sa/fogs-spg/Facts-can-eng.cfm?Lang=Eng&GK=CAN&GC=01&TOPIC=7.
Ho, Vivian. “Asian Americans Reported 3,800 Hate-Related Incidents during the PANDEMIC, Report Finds.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 16 Mar. 2021, www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/mar/16/asian-americans-hate-incidents-pandemic-study.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. “Government of Canada.” Canada.ca, / Gouvernement Du Canada, 31 Dec. 2020, www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/campaigns/immigration-matters/track-record.html.
Jeudy, Lucie. “Immigrants In Canada 2020.” Statista, 6 July 2021, www.statista.com/statistics/443063/number-of-immigrants-in-canada/.
“Top 10 Problems for Immigrants.” Immigroup, www.immigroup.com/news/top-10-problems-immigrants.
VirtualPhotos/Depositphotos, and Lancaster University. “Disproving the Bystander Effect: CCTV Study Finds People Intervene in Conflict More than Expected.” New Atlas, 27 June 2019, newatlas.com/bystander-effect-cctv-study-social-psychology/60330/.
Weisgarber, Maria, and Angela Jung. “Name-Calling, Insults, Even Threats: New Survey Reveals Impact of Anti-Asian Racism during Pandemic.” British Columbia, CTV News, 23 June 2020, bc.ctvnews.ca/name-calling-insults-even-threats-new-survey-reveals-impact-of-anti-asian-racism-during-pandemic-1.4994422.
Zhu, Ping. “Pin by Jherard Benedict on Illustration.” Pinterest, 23 Jan. 2021, www.pinterest.ca/pin/673428950529884481/.