Love, not hate

SASKATOON—Black, brown, red, white, and yellow. These were the colours describing the skin tones of all human beings. Science, particularly the branch of biology and genetics, states that all modern humans share a common ancestor. Whether you believe that or not, is up to you.

So, if we share a common ancestor, why are there still people who judge a person based on the colour—how light, fair, or dark—of their skin? Why do some people think that their skin colour or race is far superior to those who are different and don’t share their qualities?

It has been like this for thousands of years. Comb through history and you will come across hundreds of stories where people judge others for being different. Indigenous Peoples were called savages by European settlers since they dress differently and do not conform to the social norms that western society had.

A few other examples are how people from Africa were made slaves and how the Jews were treated during the reign of the Third Reich.

Racism is still an issue despite slavery and school integration being abolished. And in the age of mobile phone cameras, it can be easily recorded and uploaded on social media for the netizens to see.

I have watched dozens of videos where white women call the cops on persons of colour—an adult male or female, and sometimes involving young kids. Some incidents made it to the news and some ended tragically.

As a person of colour myself, from the brown race of the Philippines, I’m filled with mixed emotions whenever I watch these types of videos. I never thought that I too would experience racism, since Canada is a welcoming community. Two separate incidents tell me that not all Canadians are open to other cultures.

The first incident happened in the summer of last year. I was riding my bike and I always get off my bike whenever I am going to cross the street, whether on a pedestrian crossing or with the use of a stop light. I was about to cross the street, after the pedestrian sign turned green, when out of nowhere I saw a pickup truck from my left side speeding up and almost hitting me.

Some motorists honked their horn, as if telling the driver why he drove ahead despite clearly seeing me crossing. By the way, this happened mid-afternoon and I was wearing a light-colored shirt to make myself seen while riding my bike.

The guy rolled down his window and shouted that I get off the road, even though I can cross since the pedestrian light has turned green. I just shrugged it off and continued to cross the street after hearing his “kind words” to me being a person of colour.

The next incident took place a month ago and I was driving this time with my daughter. I was at a stop sign waiting for the road to clear before driving off, when I hear a honk from an impatient driver behind me. He then shouted: go back to your country and learn how to drive. The car’s windows were rolled down so I hear his words of wisdom directed toward me.

In both incidents, I was shaking and scared. Mixed emotions filled me. Anger for their hatred, sadness for the way I was treated, and pity for both drivers for their closed-mindedness.

Yes, my skin colour is not white and yes, English is the second language that I learned from elementary to college, and I speak with an accent. But, that does not give you the right to throw ethnic slurs toward me.

I’m just sharing my stories. Incidents that I used to watch on videos posted on social media. The world will be a better place if we accept other races and cultures. Acceptance and understanding are what we all need.