As you say, there will always be at least some hicks and neanderthals SOMEWHERE who make life difficult for visible minorities. Conversely, these days in Vancouver and other Canadian urban centers, there will always be people who blow racist incidents out of proportion to try to show that the entire society is rotten (and therefore in need of a revolution?)

I’ve found in my travels and my interactions with various nationalities in Canada that people from homogenous societies tend to have the most built-up stereotypes about people from other countries. I suppose that in such societies, there just isn’t any pressing need to reevaluate perceptions. In contrast, in Vancouver, we’re literally brushing up against diversity every day, so we (generally) learn to get along and even appreciate the differences.

Globalization of cultures and mass media has many drawbacks, but hopefully, a better understanding and tolerance for diversity are some of the benefits.

Some people are racist, some people are not. Some people are accepting of gay people, some people aren’t. A lot of close friends of mine would *never* suggest that I move to Lethbridge, AB to teach, for example. But I think I would thrive in Montreal, Vancouver, Toronto.

God, I hate my writing. Now my comment sounds like I disagree with you. No, I don’t disagree that we need immigration rules. I completely agree! I actually agree more than many other immigrants, I am sure. The thing is, if the world was perfect, we wouldn’t need rules.

Sometimes (as I have told you before), Canadian immigration rules have made my life difficult. But hey, I am here legally and Canada and Canadians have welcome me with open arms, so who am I to complain?

Great conversation over coffee, by the way Jonathon. As always, a pleasure to see you.