Читать книгу Succeeding From the Margins of Canadian Society: A Strategic Resource for New Immigrants, Refugees, and International Students - Francis Adu-Febiri - Страница 15

CHAPTER FIVEBARRIERS TO MINORITY SUCCESS: RACISM, IDENTITY, AND DIVERSITY

Thank You, Canada

Most immigrants feel grateful that Canada has allowed them in. This reflects many immigrants’ awareness that Canada is indeed a terrific country. But whether immigrants or refugees many of these new entrants are very much aware of their capacities, abilities, and potential, which they do not wish to waste languishing in Canada year after year without any opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the continued development of the country. While the political asylum granted by Canada allowed them to escape from possible premature death they were also hopeful that they would be able to access jobs or take advantage of educational opportunities or self-improvement. Many, however, find out that their qualifications count for nothing or very little in Canada. Many in this group believe that racism is at the heart of their lack of economic progress or social acceptance. This is because the educational attainments of many of these new entrants to Canada are quite high, with many having completed high school and not a few with degrees or other higher educational qualifications from their old countries. Canada, by showcasing its acceptance of refugees, is able to enjoy the accolades that come with such an expression of concern for the victims. Canada is able to make a show of being beneficent which hardly translates into practice, except for those new entrants that connect to strategic resources. Even while these visible minorities lament the lack of any visible opportunities for themselves they express the hope that in time they would not forever remain at the bottom of the Canadian social and economic totem pole.