A couple of nights ago Global television ran a piece on an elderly woman whom we might describe as Japanese-Canadian, although she pointed out that she was born and raised in this country. That didn't stop the Canadian government from removing her and her family from British Columbia during the Second World War and interning her in a camp in the Rocky Mountains. There were thousands like her who lost their homes and their livelihoods because the enemy looked like them. The news item noted that racism toward Canadians of Japanese origin was strong before the war began, in part because they were successful fishermen and entrepeneurs. It's the way it works, isn't it? We don't like immigrants if they are lazy or too industrious. We get annoyed because they won't get jobs or take away jobs from "real" Canadians.
Today is Canada Day and I am mindful that my mother and Ruth's late mother were both immigrants. Of course they were immediately accepted because they had the right colour skin and spoke the right language. It was a big challenge to make the adjustment to a new country, but discrimination wasn't part of the equation.
What impressed me greatly about the woman featured on Global was her conviction that despite the injustices, this is the best country in the world. Come to think of it though, this was where she was born, so she has lived and breathed Canada, for bad and good.
I hope that today we thank God for the peace and prosperity of this beautiful land. And that we give thanks for all the immigrants who have brought their ingenuity and hard work and generosity of spirit to make Canada a place worth living.
5 comments:
I watched some of Toronto's Canada Day "induction of new Canadians" after the morning news this AM. I was struck by the children's comments of Canada. Most every one of these beautiful children of the world, waiting to become Canadian citizens, stated the best part of Canada was "safety". I found my eyes full of tears. At times, we can take so much for granted. Like our offer at all baptismal services when the whole congregation is invited to re-new their own baptismal vows, the immigration judge residing invited all present and watching to repeat the vows/oath that these new Canadians were making...of peace and responsibility...a good reminder.
Racism in Canada finds its roots in the superstructure of Canada's society - that is, through its early Victorian roots. Even within the confines of its largely white, Christian social makeup, Canadians in the 19th century found ways to discriminate against each other in profoundly intense ways (English v. French, European v. Native, Protestant v.Catholic, etc.)
Despite being a nation of immigrants, the social seeds planted so long ago still bloom to some degree today. Here's hoping that losing our national xenophobia becomes a reality in this century.
Every year I watch snippets of these citizenship ceremonies and they always get to me. Interesting connection with what we do when we renew baptismal vows. We could argue that citizenship is a sacred trust, not to be taken for granted.
It does seem to be human nature (our sinful nature) to regard others as inferior on the basis of race, creed, or colour. Part of acceptance is education and part of it is repentance.
Thanks!
I agree with you David that "part of acceptance is education". That is why this year our school hosted a Canadian Citizenship Ceremony. Our grade 5 student were invited to attend as Canadian government and citizenship is part of the grade 5 curriculum. The Citizenship judge was very good in that he spoke to the students ahead of time and then during the ceremony invited them to take the oath. The students did so and many remarked afterwards how lucky they are to have been born in Canada. The new Canadians that day loved the fact that the ceremony was in a school, as many of them came from countries where school was a privilege not a right and so had never entered a school. It was a very moving day, and one I hope my students will remember. It is the second ceremony I have physically been a part of and each time I repeat the oath, I too have tears in my eyes. Unfortunately when our daughter became a citizen, there was no ceremony as she was too young and we were told they only do groups of babies as celebrations on Canada Day, however every time I look at her citizenship papers I am reminded of the oath we took as parents, similarly Laura to the oath parents take at Baptism. Happy Canada Day!
What a wonderful initiative. Another example of the good things that happen in our school system.
Thanks for letting us know.
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