Curiosity or racism?

[Chantelle]

Where are u from? Canada… no no I mean where are u originally from?

As Canadians we know that the only people who are originally Canadian are the aboriginals…

However some people feel offended when asked about their origin, they feel its some form of racism. Others believe it’s simply curiosity and wanting to know more about the other person.

It also seems to be more of a problem to the people whose looks do not reveal anything about their nationality. People who look Chinese for e.g, are rarely questioned about their origin, yet other people who look European or whose ancestries have been in Canada for centuries always ask other people who don’t look so "Canadian" about their country.

I’m interested in knowing what u guys think. You don’t need to write about your own origin, just general point of view.
Do u get offended? Do u take it as a form of racism? Or is it simply that the person who’s asking the question is interested in knowing more about you.

[Julie Andrews]

Your question comes across as curiosity.
However, I get offended when people look at me and ask "What are you?" The obvious answer is that I'm human. I don't see why I should have to delve into my ethnic & cultural background and tell them the country that I originally came from to satisfy some question posed by a complete stranger.

Also, people often don't believe that my husband and I are together because we are from different ethnic backgrounds. But what makes things downright uncomfortable for me is when they assume that I am my son's BABYSITTER!

[Shawnie]

Your question comes across as curiosity.
However, I get offended when people look at me and ask "What are you?" The obvious answer is that I'm human. I don't see why I should have to delve into my ethnic & cultural background and tell them the country that I originally came from to satisfy some question posed by a complete stranger.

Also, people often don't believe that my husband and I are together because we are from different ethnic backgrounds. But what makes things downright uncomfortable for me is when they assume that I am my son's BABYSITTER!

I know the feeling. My hubby is African American, and I am blond hair, blue eyes, light skin. Our daughter looks like she could be Hawian (tanned skin and soft wavy dark hair), and people are always coming up and asking what nationality her parents are!!!! I am the MOM!!! It makes me so mad. They should just mind their own business.

[Julie Andrews]

I agree!!
They should mind their own business!!
Even though it's unfortunate that we experience this, I take comfort in knowing I'm not alone.
Thank you!!

[jimmycanuck]

I think the whole notion of "what are you" is just silly. I'm Canadian. It's as simple as that.

I know that might sound like some silly patriotic nonsense, and maybe it is -- but as far as I'm concerned that's who I am. My family's heritage doesn't even enter into it. It didn't play nearly as big a role in determining who I am as the environment and situations I've grown up with do - and for me (as for most of us) that environment and those situations were distinctly Canadian.

My father came here from London England when he was in his early 30's. My mother was adopted by first generation canadians whose parents were scottish. Her genetic parents were Irish and German.

How any of that determines who I am is absolutely beyond me. The entire question of "what are you" is just a strange leftover from another generation.

[Rebecca]

I think the question where are you from is completely useless if asked here... Surely your "background", as some people call it, is not the only factor which determines you personality and overall character. The environment also plays a major role.

People are so curious... however I agree that they should mind their own business! Curiosity killed the cat

[dyamond_girl]

I don't think of it as racism by any means, curiousity.. maybe. It all depends on who is asking, and under what circumstances. After all, given the fact that Canada is made up of many cultures, I think most people asking about your family background are looking for similarities.

I am curious about my own heritage. And I enjoy learning about other people and history. I think its fascinating how OUR country had become more than just a "melting pot", and that we accept people for who they are, and not what their nationality is.

I find that these days people make more of an issue regarding ethnic backgrounds and race, then there needs to be. Its almost like we are reversing all the obsticles we have overcome.

And if we are all Canadian... then whats the harm in asking someone you would LIKE to KNOW more about what their heritage is... Isn't learning about cultures, how we come to accept and remove stereotypes, not to mention remove racism?!? :? then again... this is just my opinion.

[UBooboo]

My 2cents...

I'm sure that generally people are just curious. More like I would like to believe that in a multi-cultural country like Canada, racism does not exist.

However, I think people should still be sensitive to other people's feelings. I think it's rude for absolute strangers to ask me my ethnic background. I do not feel like it's any of their business. What really gets me mad is HOW they ask. The following conversation actually happened to me:

Mr. X: Are you from China?
Me: No, I'm from Vancouver, BC
Mr X: No, where are you really from?
Me: I'm REALLY from Vancouver.
Mr X: Then where were you born?
Me: Vancouver
Mr X: Then where are your parents born?
Me: they are Canadian as well... they were born in Canada...
... and then I just turned around and left.

What really offended me there was that he assumed all asian people are from China, and when I told him I'm Canadian, he tried to FORCE me into identifying myself in another identity. Who is he to determine who is Canadian and who isn't? If he had asked, "what ethnic background are you from?", I would have told him......

What do you guys think? If you are truly curious about someone's ethnic background, is there a correct way of asking?

[Kate]

I just call it curiosity, but like UBooboo said, it's all how people ask. People never question me as a Canadian, but it would be very annoying if someone didn't believe I was just because of what I look like.

I am curious about my own heritage. And I enjoy learning about other people and history. I think its fascinating how OUR country had become more than just a "melting pot", and that we accept people for who they are, and not what their nationality is.

Just wanted to say we are a "mosaic" not a "melting pot".

[dyamond_girl]

Thats more or less what I was saying, after all, if you think about it, what other countries recognize the individuals ethnic, or original country (no matter how many generations have been born here), I believe that Canada is the only country that allows its population to hyphen their status (i.e. Chinese-Canadian, Polish-Canadian, and many others). There are many people who get offended if they are not recognized in that manner. Thats why I said that I see no problem asking what ethnictiy or where someone is from IF DONE RESPECTFULLY. But I guess that wasn't clear enough, so I just thought I rewrite what I said and try to make it easier to interprete.

But I still stand by the fact, that unless you know something about people and there background, and the more you learn about people as a whole from that community, we will never be able to move forward eliminating racism or discrimination. After all when it all comes down to the final point we all immigrated from someplace at some point in our ancestrial past, or present.

But its MY OPINION.

[Boo Radley]

this thread got moved from the “Discussion and Debate” section to the “Chit Chat”