• BC Christian News • MARCH ISSUE 2001 • VOL. 21 #3 • Formerly "Christian Info News" •
Racism still rampant -- even among Christians
By Amira Perera
WHEN MY family and I moved to Canada from Sri Lanka, we were quite anxious -- and yet excited to face the unknown. My dad had been advised to move to Alberta; we lived first in Edmonton, then in another town.
Right from the start, we experienced severe prejudice. As teenagers, one of my sisters and I were followed home by a fellow classmate, who threw stones at us, and called us horrible names. In kindergarten, one of my younger sisters was bullied severely. Another time, a man saw me waiting to cross at a stop light; when I started to cross the street, he slowly drove toward me, and actually physically pushed me with his car -- then he took off. I did not know that I had rights, so I didn't go to the police.
Another sister, in her teens, had severe problems at school. Even though she is very attractive, she became convinced by some classmates that she was ugly, because she didn't fit some white stereotypes of what beauty is; as a result, she became anorexic for a time. She was also beaten and called names at school; even though my parents talked to the principal time and again, he did nothing helpful. For some unknown reason, my sister was given an IQ test, and then was made to see a counsellor (as if the problem lay with her).
These experiences left a lasting scar on her life. She became so fearful of being ridiculed or beaten up that she would only go out of the house with other family members, or by taxi. She has had a very difficult battle trying to struggle out of fear and anxiety. Fortunately, she has become a Christian -- and is now trusting God to see her through this.
Another sister experienced workplace discrimination; and she was subjected to harassment when she was shopping. Even though my father was more qualified and experienced than his white counterparts, he was continually passed over for promotion.
It became obvious to us that being 'coloured' was not acceptable in many people's eyes in Alberta. As the years passed, we were totally robbed of our self-worth; at times, we were frightened for our lives -- and we became convinced that the police would not help us.
When I became a committed Christian, I expected things to be different. Some experiences in my church were very good. I had some caucasian Christian friends -- mainly people who had experienced another culture, or had been friends with native Indian people. But at times, I found that I did not quite fit in, because of my colour. Not many people wanted to know what my culture was like; sometimes they equated Asian culture with pagan religions, and consequently thought everything Asian was bad.
Some Christians would say things like this: "Now that you are in Canada, you do things our way" -- especially if we had misunderstandings. I was made to feel like I had to prove myself; and I sensed that people were scared to get close to me. I encountered more prejudice on missions teams I worked with -- for example, I heard a former missionary to Asia referring to other South Asians as if they were all uneducated, or lazy, or in some way inferior.
One guy I worked with made my life miserable. I fasted and cried out to God many times, and then God convicted him to change his heart. He confessed to me that black people had been maids and yard workers for his family, and that he couldn't handle having a dar-ker skinned person as a leader.
As I encountered various kinds of prejudice, I started conforming more and more to the Western culture and worldview -- this, I was persuaded by others, was 'the Christian thing to do.' I began losing who I was, and ended up feeling stranded between two cultures. But this changed, when God finally showed me that he had created me the way I am for a purpose.
I am very grateful to God for allowing me to live in Vancouver, where I now have many immigrant friends -- people who have had similar problems adapting to a second culture. I also have some great caucasian friends, both Christians and non-Christians.
I have also found a church where everyone is accepted -- no matter who they are.
I am thankful that there are so many Christians who are not racists. But there are still some who distrust people of other cultures, or have no respect for them.
Experiencing harsh prejudice can lead to fear -- and eventually cause anxiety, post-traumatic stress and other health problems; ultimately, taxpayers have to pay for the medical costs. Every person wants to be a productive citizen instead of a burden to society. This can only be achieved when we treat one another with respect and kindness.
