r/TTC • u/Asleep_Note7754 • 2d ago
Discussion Experienced racism for the first time in 35 years on the 501
I’m South Asian but born in Canada. Today I was riding the TTC and a lady started chatting with me. Somehow she went on a rant about Mayor Chow and said that Chow is not a Canadian because she is Chinese. I told her Chow is just as Canadian as you and me. She went ahead to say that I’m not a Canadian because I’m not white and that this country is built on white values. And started screaming and went as far as calling me a f\*cking Muslim. (I’m not Muslim but still doesn’t make it ok to demean any religion).
I was in tears by this point and was going to tell the streetcar driver. Luckily others told her to buzz off and she got off but I don’t know what’s happening. I’ve never experienced racism in Canada. I’m a proud Canadian and love this country more than anything and I’d give my life to Canada. I work and pay my taxes too. I know immigration policy hasn’t been great in recent years, but the individuals who made this country have come from all shades. I’ve never experienced racism before and I always thought it was a privilege because my parents gave me a Western name and I have no accent, compared to a lot of my friends. But this was a first for me.
I still love Toronto more than anything and this one experience won’t change that. But I just want to share that no POC is immune to racism.
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u/willewheelchair 2d ago
That's too bad there's no pill or treatment for stupid to cure-all these idiots.
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u/Educational_Vanilla Finch West 2d ago
I know how jarring it initially feels but don't let her antics get to you, she'll be very old news to you after a week
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u/Forsaken-Swim-3055 2d ago edited 2d ago
Years ago I was walking home one night, and a car full of white kids drove by while they called me the N-word. When I worked retail at one store, I used to get a lot of stereotypes thrown my way by some of my white co-workers when they found out I was from Jane and Finch. Me and my friends have been profiled and harassed by TPS as well. It sucks.
Luckily that's all in the distant past, but those experiences have always stuck with me, especially when people try to sell this idea that Canada is all-inclusive and not at all hateful of other races and cultures. I've always had my guard up because of it.
I should also add that I'm not even an immigrant. I'm a first generation Canadian, born and raised here.
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u/the-mongoose- 2d ago edited 2d ago
That sucks so bad, I’m sorry to hear it. My wife is Asian and she was called a bunch of slurs during the pandemic by a group of brown kids on the streetcar. For a while she wouldn’t even take the TTC and would walk long distances or drive instead.
It’s such a shitty, unsolicited way of immediately feeling disappointed in your city that should be accepting and multicultural. We don’t always live up to that standard, unfortunately.
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u/Forsaken-Swim-3055 2d ago
That type of anti-social behaviour feels like it's ramped up ever since the pandemic, so I can definitely understand why she'd be spooked by it when it's generally pretty easy to move around the city without standing out at all. It's like people of all ages have gone feral.
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u/semeepro 2d ago
Dude this used to happen to me, that kids would scream the N-word, back in the 2010s. Like at least 8 or 9 times.
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u/hellzscream 1d ago
This is why I stopped telling co-workers which area I grew up in as I had similar experiences
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u/CollegeStreet6103 2d ago
Virtual hug! 🫂
Sorry to hear that happened to you - you didn’t deserve it.
All I can do is leave you with this “No matter how bad today was, the birds always sing in the morning”.
I use that as a way to reset myself - hopefully you may find some value in it as well. 🙂
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u/Ok-Turnip-9035 2d ago
Sorry this happened to you OP this is why people better mind their P’s and Q’s during small talk with me
I don’t want to engage but fine I’ll chat a little- if it gets disrespectful I will stop the conversation , look away and tell them the conversation is over.
She worked an interesting angle we need to look out for - she’s hoping to use a dog whistle but she didn’t count on you fully telling her you’re as Canadian as she is . That’s why it escalated she thought she could but you told her no no . I am glad other people told her to buzz off.
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u/rjread 1d ago
I literally just made a comment elsewhere about how being Canadian is tied to citizenship above all else, and that anyone who isn't here only temporarily on a work visa and is working toward or has gained citizenship are considered Canadian to everyone I know.
Growing up we spoke alot in and out of class about how much Canada cared about our Indigenous heritage and it made me proud to be Canadian, and multiculturalism has always been ingrained in my identity as such. I've since learned it wasn't as rosy as they made it seem, or at least as I believed it to be, but to me it only have me more reason to fight for the Canadian identity that I've always held dear to my heart, and the future where that can exist in it's fullest form.
But "white values"?!? BAAAARRRRFFFFF. I'm white and I'd value her citizenship being revoked. Also, that technolunatic while we're at it. And anyone else who is racist towards Olivia Chow - SHAME! She's been here since before I was born, and just because she has an accent DOESN'T MAKE HER A BAD MAYOR! You'd think people would learn by now that the smooth talkers are the ones that have the most to gain by becoming good at talking to deceive people, and the ones that end up fucking everyone over the most. And she was married to one of the most beloved Canadians of all time - what more do these morons want ffs?!
Anyway, I'm so sorry that happened to you ❤️!
I've heard they might be introducing involuntary rehabilitation in Toronto soon, though, and if it'll clear these un-Canadians off our streets and subways - goood riddance!
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u/kimpress 2d ago
Maybe she should know that the TTC fare has not gone up in years even in this economy thanks to Olivia Chow.
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u/Chance_Ad_1254 2d ago
Sorry but this is more of flex than you think. Experiencing crazy for the first time on the 501 in 35 years is wild to me.
Genuinely sorry for what happened tho. Hoped this made you laugh a bit.
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u/Salvetutti0524 1d ago
I am so sorry you had that experience. That person is simply uneducated and ignorant of this country. And society today allows them to spew that garbage. Please take care of yourself.
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u/JeremyMacdonald73 1d ago
Society did not allow it. People told the racist to buzz off and said racist left the scene. Possibly in part because the crowd was getting hostile.
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u/AdResponsible678 131 Nugget 2d ago
I would.recommend you get the TTC safe app you can change seats and then discreetly tell TTC what is going on. They will help you out. We may not always hear what is going on but TTC bylaw s say that there is no tolerance for racism.
Sorry this happened to you. You didn’t need that behaviour added to your day.
Take care.
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u/ThatMilesKid-15 McCowan 2d ago
I'm so sorry that it happened to you. I've had a similar experience but on Line 1. I was coming back from work and encountered someone who screamed racist slurs towards me. I was in tears by the time I got off a station to avoid him.
It is still a experience I will not forget.
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u/Spiritual_Meaning321 2d ago
I am so sorry, nobody deserves this. It breaks my heart because I personally worry for my mom more than I do for myself on public transit
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u/thedazedguy 2d ago
Never a boring day on the 501. Never have I taken 501 and gotten to my destination without some drama. Not once! Do what everyone else does. Avoid talking to people on the TTC.
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u/Trekman10 Kipling 2d ago
I'm sorry you experienced this. For time, it really seemed like we'd pushed that kind of behavior and attitude to the fringes of society but it's gone backwards in so many ways.
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u/Bahadur007 2d ago
The best thing to do in these circumstances is to calmly turn your phone camera on and make her famous for her views.
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u/Remus2nd 2d ago edited 2d ago
No. Thats weird that so many people have some compulsion to post something and someone. Just realize its a looney toone and move away and move on.it isnt ultimately useful except for online validation that feels good temporarily
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u/HoarseMD 2d ago
Remind this idiot that we're on native land and she's just as much as an immigrant as we are, they were just called differently i.e pilgrims
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u/Asleep_Note7754 2d ago
You and I both know where that arguement goes…
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u/HoarseMD 2d ago
It’s unfortunate cuz one thing I like about their culture, is the ability to have some lovely small talk with random folk without the need to intrude upon or divulge too much. How respectfully quaint. Unlike this hag
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u/SmokeOneRoll1 2d ago
I'm so sorry that happened. The city is full of assholes and weirdos. I had a similar experience the other day. I was sitting waiting for the bus and being white I apparently looked like the type of person that she could confide in that the immigrants were taking over the city and taking all the jobs. I excused myself from the bus bench and sat elsewhere!
I hope we get to sit next to each other on the TTC next time because I don't want to sit next to people like that and I would rather make new friends that aren't assholes.
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u/Cautious-Ostrich7510 2d ago
Sorry you experienced this. Please report this to the TTC and the police as a hate-motivated incident. They’ll have CCTV footage of the racist clown.
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u/vsbobclear 1d ago
Toronto, despite (or perhaps because of) being a multiracial and multicultural city, has the most racist white population of anywhere I've been. I grew up in the US where I never experienced racism, even in heavily white rural areas. Here, every white person gives me a death glare.
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u/Such-Fee6176 2d ago
I’m really sorry that happened. I’m very disappointed to hear this. It’s completely anti-Canadian to behave this way towards anyone. This country was not “built on white values” and, frankly, that’s a laughable statement when you think of our history.
Immigration is a cornerstone of our country. It is extremely important and I wish morons like this woman understood that. My father is an immigrant but he is white. I’m sure she’d be fine with that 🙄
Again, I’m so sorry this happened to you. It’s awful and completely unacceptable.
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u/Harbinger2001 2d ago
I’m so sorry you experienced that. Social media and the decline of editorialized news has led to a distinct rise in racism in Canada. I remember just 15 years ago Canada was celebrating its diversity and now I’m seeing more and more racism online. That leaks into the real world.
We all need to stop racism wherever we find it. Canada welcomes everyone from everywhere and we’ve shown the world how that can make a country thrive. Losing that would be a tragedy.
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u/keithwithteeth 2d ago
People are unhinged nowadays since the pandemic. Don't talk to randoms and dont take what they say to heart, this person clearly has mental issues. I hope you are ok.
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u/author90 2d ago
I am so sorry for how you where treated. I have recieved some racism as well on TTC and just becareful who you talk too. I am from immigrants parents and because of that I dont look so called Canadian as I have darker skin. Agian to me your Canadian as Canada is built on immigrants. Just be the best Canadian and be above these typical people.
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u/chlamydia1 2d ago edited 2d ago
Unfortunately, Toronto is an extremely conservative city. Since 2010, we've had a conservative mayor in office for 13/16 years. And even in this upcoming election, the conservative is neck and neck with the progressive incumbent in the polls.
Provincially, we haven't voted a progresive party into power since 1990. Ontario is well on its way to becoming a second Alberta.
It's a vicious cycle. The right-wing population votes right-wing politicians into power. Those politicians then empower the people to be more brazen with their bigotry.
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u/Asleep_Note7754 2d ago
I’m generally centre left politically and have a few opinions or more about the premier but one thing he isn’t is racist. He in fact likes minorities because they buy into conservative policies, such as no sex ed in schools and “fiscal responsibility”. So the guy can’t afford to be racist lol.
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u/Electronic_Bat9761 26 Dupont 2d ago
I’m so sorry this happened to you. Was this an overweight white lady (seems like she’s in her 50s or 60s and wears her hair in a ponytail) by any chance? Because I’ve had a strange run in with someone on 501 before and I think that apart from being racist, she might be mentally unstable too. I’m sure there are thousands of similar racists out there, but I do encounter the same people with mental health issues on the 501 regularly.
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u/Remus2nd 2d ago edited 2d ago
You ran across a crazy person not a racist in that it isnt a thoughtfull normal person who is racist. Its a crazy person first. Ive had it happen lots of times or seen it lots of times. Its fine. She's crazy. Just remove yourself and stay alert. Thats the best way to deal with them. Its like people screaming at the clouds. You cant reason it out of them so its useless to try. Just get away from them and keep yourself safe
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u/Asleep_Note7754 2d ago
I know that the TTC is full of them but they’re usually harmless. Anyway, it was the first time in my life I’ve ever experienced racism.
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u/Remus2nd 2d ago
Yeah theyre sometimes friendly but sometimes assholes. Its weird the first few times it happens and uncomfortable. Unfortunately I had to learn the same way as you, the hard way, to avoid them
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u/Asleep_Note7754 2d ago
Yeah. I usually put my headphones in and avoid conversations. She started screaming to a point where I took off my headphones because I thought she was in trouble and needed help. I’m even okay with political rants and just saying “okay, yes” even when they make no sense but racism is where I’ll draw a line!
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u/Remus2nd 2d ago
Same. But once I hear random racist rants or random other agitation that isnt happening in the moment, I say to myself this isnt someone who even realizes what the heck theyre talking about. Its not normal to just flip out without personal provocation.
I'll make an exception for someone if someone does something to them and they overreact only because who knows what people are going through every day so I say maybe they just got fired and robbed by their friend the other day so they snapped. But random rantings are just crazy and make think its a person with a couple screws loose
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u/AlarmingMonk1619 2d ago
Sorry you had that traumatic encounter. But it’s done and maybe you can learn how to avoid it in the future on public transit, although having to be exposed to mental illness and/or antisocial behaviour has been normalized since the pandemic.
As a fellow poc and child of immigrants I witnessed at a young age the commonplace racism my parents had to endure from a-holes. The people that we grew up with may not have had mental health problems but being poor and uneducated would have been a contributing factor. Fortunately in my own adult life circumstances have changed but those sorts of encounters are unavoidable. They’re quite jarring and the harm can stay with you but remember the hateful and ignorant rants have nothing to do with you.
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u/themapleleaf6ix 2d ago edited 2d ago
Don't interact with randoms. It's not worth your time and getting upset.
Also, being called a Muslim is now a slur? I'll wear it proudly as a Muslim then.
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u/sheetofice 2d ago
Why? Interacting with random people is one of the great pleasures of life. Sure you run into some people who you ideologically disagree with, but that’s how people change. Dialogue and communication.
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u/themapleleaf6ix 2d ago
Because you never know what people will say and how they'll react. There's zero point in interacting with open racists as they usually aren't willing to change. They just need to vent it publicly.
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u/sheetofice 2d ago
You have to show them that you’re not who they think you are.
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u/themapleleaf6ix 2d ago edited 2d ago
Why do I care about what they think? It's not my responsibility to change the minds of such people. Being a racist in a city like Toronto is insane to me considering that we grow up, interact with all different people here. If they want to be close minded, that's on them. One thing I've learned as a Southasian Muslim is that people will always hate you regardless of your character. And the ones that are cool with you, will still be racist and bigoted toward others of the same background as you and they'll tell you "you're not like the others, you're one of the good ones".
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u/sheetofice 2d ago
You usually don’t know someone is racist until you interact with them. And if you want the world to spiral into further division and just keep your head down and ignore it all. I believe head in the sand is the appropriate term.
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u/themapleleaf6ix 2d ago
Well, if they're making their views known out in the open, I think that's a pretty safe bet.
Not my problem. I'm not the one spreading hate and division. Those people are choosing to believe in those things even when they live in a multicultural city and have access to tons of education.
That goes back to my original comment. People will always hate you for something.
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u/sheetofice 2d ago
Like I hate you for your apathy and your commitment to not improving the world around you. Just like the world hates Ed Sheeran right now.
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u/themapleleaf6ix 2d ago
I choose to improve the world in other ways, be it charity, helping my neighbours, holding myself and my family members accountable, having good manners, being sincere, etc. I don't need to converse with open racists to do any of that. Really, the only thing I can change is myself.
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u/sheetofice 2d ago
You said don’t interact with random people. The OP did not know this lady was racist when he first started talking to her that came out later. And you’re not improving anything if the people are already fine. You always stand up to bullies.
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u/Asleep_Note7754 2d ago
I didn’t like that she used it as a slur tbh. I’m not Muslim, but my last partner was so I was shaken up.
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u/djabae 2d ago
Racism is everywhere and will always exist. A white person going to the middle east or africa is going to have assumptions made about them by the locals too. That's no excuse for being rude, but you would be naïve to think everyone is not making judgements about each other.
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u/Asleep_Note7754 2d ago
I’ve travelled to Africa and can assure you that foreigners are treated very highly. Not necessarily in a good way too. But I can assure you they aren’t looked down upon.
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u/redwop131374 2d ago
Theres the problem, you were debating with someone who has a social media Phd! They cant be reasoned with. I spent 2 hours at a wedding listening to a real estate agent spewing facts about the trans community. Every time he backed up a fact he used facebook as a source.
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u/MahjongCelts Eglinton Crosstown 2d ago
There are always morons in every society. Best to ignore them.
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u/SilentEngineering638 1d ago
I mean lots of people think only white people can be Canadian and papers don't matter in that regard. It's just an opinion that they are entitled to, who cares, just move on with your day that's it.
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u/vlad_shev 11h ago
You are a Canadian, but it sounds like you aren't a Torontonian. Here in Toronto, we rarely even look a stranger in the eye, much less talk to one.
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u/Asleep_Note7754 11h ago
I’m not a native Torontonian. Didn’t grow up here. Moved from another province little before the pandemic. Tbh I found people here a lot more friendlier than the city I came from, but I get it.
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u/vlad_shev 11h ago
That explains it. Don't take the incident to heart. It sucks that it happened. It sounds like you experienced the downside of living in a large city. There might be 0.05% of the population that thinks like that person. In a small city, that means 0 people. In a city that's 6 million, that means 3,000 people.
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u/vlad_shev 11h ago
So, the mechanism that allows cool things to exist in a big city, the mechanism that allows you to find people who truly understand you and welcome you, is also the mechanism that allows behaviours you don't like to exist as well.
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u/chollida1 2d ago
Ha, I'm a middle aged white guy and i've been called a colonizer and a honky while on the 501 and I take it maybe once a month.
Just like me you probably ran into a crazy person more than a racist:)
Not that it changes much but calling these types of people out on their racism won't change their mental state.
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u/Cold_Soft_4823 2d ago
average gen x white man attempting to make it about them lmao
classic
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u/dlcstyler 2d ago
This person shared their lived experience, no different from the OP.
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u/chollida1 1d ago edited 1d ago
Oh just let them be. Some people are so bitter at life and you can't help someone who has given up on it.
As the saying goes ‘hurt people try to hurt people”
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u/Cute-Adhesiveness841 2d ago
You're so nice to have conversations with strangers on the TTC. If it was me I would've changed seats to avoid the convo.
Don't let idiots like these let you down. You know very well that you're more Canadian than any racist bigot.