So I figured, since there really isn't much to talk about regarding my oh-so exciting life here (haha, note the tone of sarcasm), I'd just write about whatever comes to mind at the moment. And well, there's been something that's been bugging me a bit lately. I just discovered I just might be racist, too.
Here's the thing: Calgary is a pretty diverse city. We've got immigrants from all over, tourists, refugees... you name it, we've got it. The East Indian minority is more like a majority in some areas, particularly in the NE. The ever-present Chinatown can easily rival our own Binondo. Mexicans and Italians are very noticeable because of their loud conversation and accents. I could go on and on, but I think you've gotten the picture.
So where does the racism come in? Hang on a sec, I'll get there soon enough.
Now, with all of these different people from all over come a whole lot of different cultures, beliefs and values. So everyone's different. No big deal there. At least not until coexistence between totally different beliefs come head to head. Or when people decide to do what the Romans do when in Rome.
I find it amusing how the Filipinos who grew up here are either ashamed of their background and adamantly insist that they are nothing but Canadian (despite looking 100% Filipino that no amount of makeup can conceal such a flat nose), or really proud of their heritage to a point that would put Filipinos in the Philippines to shame. But here's the thing: being proud of your heritage is one thing. Being rude/insensitive and just downright unethical is another. I work in an environment with mostly Filipinos. But the thing is, they're not your top of the mill kind. These are people who had to leave home and their families to find a better means of earning money elsewhere. While I have a newfound respect for OFWs and the sacrifice that they do make, I now understand better why the uneducated foreigner might think lowly of us, Filipinos, if these are the kind of people he is exposed to.
Let's face it, when Filipinos congregate, they tend to speak in Tagalog (or Filipino). The people I work with do exactly that. But here's the problem: we also have other people working with us. And I feel for the other people because they are easily left out of any conversation. Not only that, it makes the workplace awkward. Common sense and proper etiquette dictates that in such a diverse workplace, you are to speak the common language to all. Everyone is reminded of this at least once a week. Pero ang mga Pilipino, makulit. Parang hindi marunong umintindi.
Here's another thing: they try to teach the other people at work Filipino customs/songs/words. That's a great thing, right? Guess again. What they teach are the stuff you learn on the streets. Turuan ba naman yung isang supervisor kumanta ng Basketbol by the Viva Hot Babes (including all explanations of the double meanings and whathaveyous).
And remember all the stuff you learned in gradeschool about the negative traits of the Filipino: crab mentality, colonial mentality...? I see it in action everyday. When one was promoted, he was thoroughly congratulated. And promptly backstabbed right after. They have this weird deference to anyone who's Caucasian, but you don't see that when they interact with the Africans or the East Indians. I don't say a word of this to them. I am but a silent observer. And what I see is very saddening.
When you realize that these people comprise the bulk of Filipino society, it makes no wonder that our government is so screwed up. We, as a society, are so screwed up. The rich get richer, the poor get poorer. Such a contrast to what I see here, where no matter what your job, if you work hard enough, even a lowly a fastfood worker can enjoy the same things as a successful lawyer. Here, the government is more concerned about proper management of finances and resources, as well as promoting diversity. The police actually do their job and people are in awe of them because they are seen as protectors of the law and not those who make the law whatever it suits them at the time. Healthcare is public and very much accessible regardless of your monetary status. Their problems lie in the lack of healthcare professionals and staff. The same goes for education, where continuing education is a very much promoted these days.
So yeah, I have taken to hanging out with the other people at work, rather than spend the day gossiping and being all googly-eyed at every cute guy who comes around with the Pinoys. I like how I've learned to be straightforward from my Canadian co-workers, Linda and Mitchell. I enjoy my conversations with my Chinese co-workers, Joy and Stella. I have fun learning Spanish from my Mexican co-worker, Karina. It's funny how people apparently think I'm Chinese on the onset because they say I'm too fair to be Filipino. And most are surprised because I talk so well (insert "for a Filipino" here). I am proud of being Filipino and I'm glad to be the exception to challenge people's misconceptions. But I guess I realized I'm a little bit racist to my own race.
And I find it's not just a little bit disturbing.
