The racism we faced as Chinese-Canadians, and how it made us stronger

There were a lot of kids that came up to me that did a lot of racist things toward me — such as the slanted eyes that are associated to Asian people, and even poking fun at the lunch you, mom, would pack me. They would say nonsense — words that sounded Asian but had absolutely no meaning. Russell Chan and his mother Su Zhang share their experiences living in Ottawa.

The Things I Wish I Said is a series that captures intimate conversations among three Ottawa families of Asian descent, as parents and children open up about racism and their identities.

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[Jon-vzjw]

I am a metis canadian born individual.
I am very proud of our asian history in Canada.
Ive always admired the nobility and strong work ethics of chinese canadians.
I have the utmost respect.
My childhood doctor was dr chai.
He was an amazing man.
Chinese citizens are the backbone of our country in so many ways.
God bless our Chinese Canadian citizens.
❤

[ralucaiordache]

the son is so smart, affectionate and caring with his mother. His lovely mom did a great job raising a good man!

[byroneveson]

I live in China, and I can tell you there are the same kind of people here. I've been told to go home, I don't belong. I've been singled out by security guards because my mask had slipped off my nose, yet he allows Chinese with no mask to pass by unaccosted. I've had Chinese old ladies yelling at me calling me white devil. The one thing I can say is that this hate is everywhere. Difficult times bring out the worst and best in us all. If anything, it is a good litmus test on who we should associate with and who we should simply ignore.

[ItzMiroYt]

I’m born in Canada but my parents are Pakistan and Philippines I get treated badly at school so I went to homeschooling program got worse I hate my life because of racism kids called me chinise, corona maker, autistic, etc :( I’m still in primary

[richardbarton]

You are good people. Hold your head and your heart ❤ high.

[lifeisamiracle]

Be proud of who you are regardless of your race. Watch out and be on guard wherever you are.

[jerryyeoh]

Yes, as a Chinese man who is living in Canada, I want to say that I love Canada, but it really exist racism.

[mapofthesoultagme]

I live in Calgary. My parents and I are ethnically Chinese and we used to live in Russia and China. We have lived here since I was 3 and now I am 22, but I haven't experienced any racism.
Maybe it's because I am a very cute girl, and in general, beautiful peeps are less likely to experience these kinds of mean things?

Also, my dad said if a stranger randomly comes up to me and asks my race, I should say Korean or Japanese because these ethnicities have less bad vibes than Chinese in many countries across the world.

[danjohnson]

I was ashamed of my nationality when I was a child. Often children would used words like “dirty Indians” among many other derogatory terms, often they would use violence or intimidation to belittle us in the presents of their peers. Fortunately several of these same people have changed with the times and become associates. Regrettably there are some who still pass on the same behavior to their children. But I’ve notice a drastic change taking place, mixed race and racialized people are becoming the population majority. Even in the work places we are beginning to see more mix race and genders. I like to believe racism is no more than learned ignorance, even if we fail to educate society beyond this behavior, we will eventually evolve beyond the existence of racism.

[AVirk]

I am an Indian man who faced some racist comments today from my Chinese colleagues and because of that I started searching for similar incidents. Half of our office is Chinese and the remaining half is white and I am the only Indian person. Although, the white colleagues stood up for me. I was feeling strange working with them and facing this. Maybe we all meet bad people who are ignorant. I came to confirm that maybe Chinese people are indeed all racist and feel some sense of relief but seeing your video I understand that some bad apples ruin the reputation for the whole basket.

[maryalgar]

I am so sorry you experienced those horrible racist remarks etc. I'd like to think that most Canadians are not like that. Be proud of being Canadian and your heritage. When I was growing up, I thought of Asians as extremely intelligent people and hard working.

[mike.]

Curious. What would it be like if I moved to China.

[RBM]

Thank you for sharing your life experiences.

[LuxMeow]

When asked about racism (and no doubt there is racism existing pretty much everywhere), however she assumed that this doesn't happen to white people. Sounded more like discrimination due to class rather than race in the particular situation she was describing because in Vancouver if you look poor you are treated as such, based on the clothes you are wearing, my point is a person can be rude and display classism without being racist. People in Vancouver can be pretty rude compared to other Canadian cities if they think you don't have money. Nowadays it's changing because it's hard to tell the rich from poor based on dress alone as some people with money dress very basic. A point made to me by retailers. I'm saying we can't always assume racism is the intention, a lot of those types of retail stores work on commission. Obviously she was wrong to treat anybody that way, things can get lost in translation but classism is another issue which doesn't go away if you are white.

[julianl]

I absolutely agree with some commenters that prejudice is wide spread even against white people in Canada. However the difference is the rate of occurrence to minorities in everyday life. Its more difficult to setup your life to try to avoid racism as a minority vs if you're white, you can't hide nor is Chinatown big enough to house all Chinese Canadians. If you're white, your freedom to avoid racsim is broader as you are still the majority and common place. There's no sides, I'm saying it like it is. Racism is a human condition and we at our worst times all demonstrate it. But its important to recognize the difference in struggle between the races in Canada.

[JohnSmith-sqky]

As an immigrant myself I can say that I most discrimination I face is from Chinese people. They ignore you in the Chinese stores. At work if we have a Chinese manager people from other ethnic groups will be replace with Chinese people sooner or later. The skill factor does not play any role.

[lukereardon]

I am so totally on your side. But racism is active in all peoples. I am 1/4 South East Asian, 1/4 South Asian and 1/2 Caucasian but I look mostly white. I get mistreated by the Punjabis as I am a taxi driver, by the restaurant staff at Chinese restaurants, and by some Mainland Chinese I have known for years. I get unfairly treated by Caucasians who can tell I am different. Even my brother who came out brown does not like me. I feel Chinese in my heart but it took years for me to even realize that that was my strongest inner trait. All you can do is persevere and know there are kind people out there from all races who will treat you just for who you are. Then there is reverse racism. I once asked a Korean girl if whatever we were talking about was a Korean custom. She angrily said "It's just a human thing!" You have to be on your tiptoes in this world and have an iron lining. I and you I am sure will always be kind to all people because that is just how we are.

[kalum]

Living in Canada as a Chinese immigrant is hard.

[yushi]

I almost live my entire life in Quebec. 42 years now. When i was kid, there was no asian at my primary school and we were the only chinese when we go to the mall. It happen that people make fun if us and call us nickname. Most of them haven’t seeing a chinese before and where shock to see an asian family living in their neighborhood. That was pure racism base on our race. Now, i encounter less racism comments but when I do, people has a very bad opinion of chinese: covid, job stealer, house hunter, etc. Mean people you will have everywhere. Just as a white family in a dimsum, i got a lot of steering when i go in some where you have less immigrants: tennis club, golf clubs or skiing. I don’t mind. Most of the to time is just curiosity. Chinese people in general are not bad. But what i really realize over the years is they do not integrate with the local community and are not interested to give back to the their adoption country. They find jobs and send kids to school and that’s pretty much. Chinese are part of North America for a very long time now but you don’t see them doing volunteering, does not donate to local charity, don’t took part of local social events … chinese community integration is almost inexistant. This will always create a social and cultural clash.

[vince]

living in Vancouver i can tell you the most racist people against people from china are Hong Kong people and worse yet Taiwanese. so why this propaganda. the amount of time i heard honk Kong people role their eyes and use terms like da lo ju or da lo or big 6 are in the hundreds of times. racism is everywhere but don't think it is better in any way in places like china or worse yet Japan. name me one country better than Canada? Kong kong? Israel? South africa? what country would be less racist than Canada?