Nov.-Dec. 2000

Questions or comments? Email Editor Tony P. Fernandez at:
afernan@techie.com

Of Visible Minority Groups

By Tony P. Fernandez

MONTREAL - According to the 1996 census, Canada was home to 3.2 million persons who are members of visible minority groups, representing 11.2% of the total population of Canada. And one in three persons who are members of visible minority groups were born in Canada, according to the census taken by Statistics Canada.

   The census also says that the Chinese was the largest visible minority group with a total of 860,000 individuals, accounting for 27% of all visible minorities and 3.0 % of Canada’s total population.

  Apart from this it said: Together, Chinese, South Asians (2.4% of Canada’s population) and Blacks (2.0% of Canada’s population) represented two-thirds of the visible minority population in Canada in 1996. The remaining one-third of the visible minority population, about 1.1 million people, included Filipinos, Southeast Asians, Latin Americans, Japanese, Koreans, Arabs and West Asians.

   So these are the facts, that is, if you believe in statistics. But some will tell you that there are lies, damned lies and statistics. Understand though that I am not trying to say that these statistics aren’t true and accurate. Still, doesn’t these figures tend to indicate that visible minority groups can emerged as a great “political force’ if as a whole they are united? 

   Unfortunately, unity is an elusive word among ethnic groups. We have to face and live with the fact that some ethnic groups lack a sense of oneness in their communities. As I see it, some are so divided that some individuals, comfortable and complacent, consider that they are above the struggle of minority groups. Others never take an active part in many of the activities of their communities. This pattern of disunity is so widespread that, generally speaking, some want ‘to be left alone’ and who have yet to develop a strong sense of participation. They are people who are so devoid of a sense of civic duty that they have resign themselves not to intervene in their own “community affairs”. And still others, choose to forget the contributions that others have made toward the betterment of their communities.

  But this is not always the case.  As I see it, every ethnic community is one big family. In city after city, sweeping social changes are taking place because of the dedications and contributions of ethnic groups despite the pattern of disunity that we see among these groups, including those who never took an active part but gave their moral support.

  Which is why I have a deep nostalgia for the periods in the past when we were so few and able to do things as a big family amidst the frustrations and endless work. Years ago, one could sense that everyone was a member of the family and deeply interested in each one’s well-being. But that’s the past. As we increased in numbers, things got more chaotic. Today, Filipinos seem to be aware how pretty divided they are, but still see themselves marching toward progress despite the infighting, irrelevance, jealousy, and disunity that has plagued us since the dawn of civilization.

   As one Filipino-Canadian told me: “United or not, our people are striving to improve more and more,” he said. “The involvement of young Filipino Canadians in our problems and the support and understanding of their parents and leaders are hopeful signs that through talent and education, and through sacrifices and hard struggles, they will achieve success to become contributing citizens of this country.” 

   Anyway, it’s Pasko. So Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, and God Bless!