You make your own opportunities

I read Erica’s article with interest. I can somewhat relate to where she’s coming from, though having an Indian (not Native America, the other Indian) background, and being Muslim, I’ve faced a different type of discrimination. However, I can sincerely say that — except for one strange experience at Blackberry (formerly RIM) — I don’t think I’ve ever experienced racism or discrimination at the office.

Part of that is living in one of the most diverse regions in the world — the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), and part of that is that I’ve grown up here and speak without an accent, know the culture, and am great at my job.

To the author of this piece — I think you need to grow up. You create your own opportunities and don’t begrudge others the chance to pull themselves up, even if they’re being given some extra help. There are a ton of great, cheap training opportunities (like Udemy), where you can take an online course for $10. I’m sure, even if you have a minimum wage job, that you can afford a $10 course.

Your experience as a “white man” may not be typical. Of course there are poor white people, but as a society, especially in the US and Europe, the vast majority of the rich and powerful are white, and there is a clear social stratification. Even if you’re a well-off non-white, you won’t fit into their social structure. I am a fairly successful professional consultant, intimately familiar with Canadian culture, but I’ll never be one of the guys, going to hockey games and chugging a few beers or smoking cigars. Its not me, and I won’t fit into that culture.

I’ve worked in the US, but not in many diverse communities. In Canada though, especially in the GTA, its very common for me to be in a meeting with a wild mix of Indians, Pakistanis, Israelis, Russians, Chinese, French Canadians, and white Anglo Canadians, all in the same room, speaking English in whatever accents they have, brainstorming and working together to deliver for our clients. All while sipping their double-doubles from Tims!