Racism will always exist

In the Summer of ’97 or ’98, I was looking for a second part time job. I remember looking through the Scarborough Mirror and saw an ad for an Italian Bakery close to where I lived. They were looking for someone to help with cash and help serve customers. I decided to apply since I had some bakery experience from working at Dominion (now Metro).

I went the following day and had a quick interview with the Manager. She asked me about my experience and told me that she would get back to me.

As I was leaving, something told me to turn around. As I did, I caught her placing my resume on top of a cupboard – high enough for her to forget that it was even there.

My heart sank. 

I wanted to cry. 

Before I left, I looked at the staff she had hired. They were all Italian. 

Why did she bother interviewing me if she knew she wasn't going to hire a black person?

Too bad I didn’t have enough guts back then because I would have taken back my resume and called her a racist to her face.

Up until that point in my life, I had never experienced racism like that.

Toronto is said to be the most multicultural city in the world with over 200 ethnic groups but still racism exists. 

When hiring, employers always talk about wanting to give everyone an “equal opportunity”. HA! Don’t be fooled. They’re only going through the motions. They already know the type of person they’re looking for and probably hired them already.

I don’t care how multicultural this city is, racism will never go away. The world will always be divided. That’s just the way it is and we’ve just got to accept it.

What was your first racism experience?

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When you get a chance, please visit my friend Tyrone’s blog. His posts are insightful and very thought provoking. See his blog here.

Thanks for reading and keep smiling :)