Re: Mainly caucasian or mixed?
 

I didn't sit there and do nothing. That couple are long term friends, the locals are not. However, it's not fair to say that everyone out here has a closed mind, there are a lot of gay people, some Punjabi farmers and I bumped into an African at the feed mill last week. It may be that attitudes are not much different from in the city though the manner of expression certainly is.

Re: Mainly caucasian or mixed?
 

It is what it is...I am sure it will change, but it will be a very gradual process.....and over a long time I suspect. I see more ethnicity as time goes on here in Rural Ontario....but doubt it will get anywhere near such as the GTA etc....and that's the thing, such a prospect would appal many out here in the sticks...so as I say, choice is all important to those who wish lots of multiculturalism as to where they elect to live, and equally that same choice is all important those who have no such wish. Wanting to live with one's own basic cultural background (encompassing mainly Caucasian European) I would submit is not racist, simply one's own 'comfort' zone....That and being openly hostile to other cultures is an entirely different ball game....something I would submit many get confused with. They are quite different....

Re: Mainly caucasian or mixed?
 

I disagree Macadian... I don't think it's about a comfort zone but about the way you view your fellow human beings. Even people who have yet to accept the scientific evidence that we are all the genetic descendants of Africans, despite skin colour mutations, probably understand that we are the same under the skin.

It could be argued that if someone were born and brought up in a primitive society without access to the wider world, he/she might indeed feel fear or repugnance at seeing someone who looked wholly different. What excuse do immigrants of European descent have for their antediluvian prejudices?

Re: Mainly caucasian or mixed?
 

It is what it is...I suppose it depends on how extreme ones views are on the subject...I tend to live and let live...and provide that does not impinge on the rights and freedoms of another...then so be it....

Re: Mainly caucasian or mixed?
 

just for info for those who may not have seen this. there is a video too, but i could not find a link. i found it equally inspiring and depressing. the worst part is that the teacher tried to unsuccessfully expand the programme.
education is key, parents and children alike.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/htm...644_mlk17.html

Re: Mainly caucasian or mixed?
 

found the vid link for any who are interested.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/divided/

Re: Mainly caucasian or mixed?
 

I do agree with you that not everyone out there is closed minded, so I take that part back if thats how it came across.

I do kind of think its funny though how rare out there it is to see anyone of a different skin color that you can pin point single instances where you saw someone that didnt appear white. Thats not a shot at you at all just a general thing I find ammusing.

Re: Mainly caucasian or mixed?
 

I disagree (or do I agree - not quite sure). People in cities are just as racist as those in the country. People are still very racist, but know how to regulate there behaviour more than they used to.

Re: Mainly caucasian or mixed?
 

I agree with Rae that education is the key... but also suspect that too much PC bludgeoning has caused some to hide their prejudices rather than overcome them. In the UK it's often joked that the only groups you can actually be openly scathing about are the white underclass and Christians.

Re: Mainly caucasian or mixed?
 

Christians deserve it for believing lies. Although I would say that in the UK there is plenty of open racism in the msm, mostly it's not even dressed up; look at the amount of anti-immigrant news in the papers for instance. It's less open here in Canada, so not sure how racist canadians are really - I suspect they are just as racist as brits on the whole.

Re: Mainly caucasian or mixed?
 

There is a French cultural center a couple of blocks away from my flat, where they serve stale cakes to dip into your coffee. It doesn’t get more ethnic than that.

Re: Mainly caucasian or mixed?
 

Why aren't you there right now?

Re: Mainly caucasian or mixed?
 

I think you can take that to the Bank....BBQ. Parties etc you generally find out the truly held beliefs of many Canadians....:cool:....they tend to whisper it rather than talk/shout it....

Re: Mainly caucasian or mixed?
 

TThey have the nerve to charge you $2.50 for a stale cake. Apparently they charge so much to subsidize a cafe so you can have the privilege of sitting there not understanding a word that's being said. :confused:

I'm no marketing genius but they won't last long if that's their business model.

Re: Mainly caucasian or mixed?
 

There is more to it than that. A lot of racism is really fear of the unknown. I would prefer to call it culturalism, but that sounds stupid. In other words, a lot of racism comes from fear of interacting with people who's culture you don't understand.

In a city like Vancouver people grow up with others of different hue and from different cultures. They share a common heritage and common values. They can interact without the fear of the unknown. They get more chance to see just how bloody stupid racism is.

People who grow up in a mono-culture in the rural backwoods don't have this benefit.

Yes, some people may be reluctant to speak their mind because of PC pressures (which is a good thing) but anyone who thinks they can cover up their thoughts by being polite is deluding themselves.