“Indians” and “Chinamen”

“You guys should treat the natives good”….

These were some of the last words spoken by an old Chinese restaurateur and former B.C railroad worker/builder as he lay on his death bed surrounded by his children.

Not only does the Chinese immigrant community share many historical connections with B.C’s First Nations peoples,it is  bred in the bone.

These bonds were forged during a time in B.C history when  racism & segregation were not only the norm but in-coded in the very laws of the land. This at a time when the 20% of the B.C population was of Chinese extraction.

These are some of the many  stories told by Bill Chu,as he recounts the moments in his life that led him to explore the early history of  Chinese immigrants in B.C.

Ultimately his  journey led him to found ‘Canadians for Reconciliation‘ ,a Chinese community initiative aimed at saving Chinese-Canadian historic sites. Part of Bill Chu’s efforts also involve reconnecting the Chinese and First Nations peoples with their shared history.

Like the non-indigenous population many Chinese-Canadians have not only forgotten their own history,but have little appreciation for  First Nations peoples in general.

“Native Chiefs in support of Chinese-Canadian quest to protect B.C historic sites”

“Recognition for Chinese need,organization says;Group says contribution of Chinese pioneers neglected“

Divide and Conquer ;Pitting Immigrant workers against locals

The specter of racism & xenophobia is stalking the U.K ,so says the government,as it rushes to the defense of industry.

Union leaders warned that Gordon Brown had risked “inflaming” the situation by “condemning” workers with legitimate complaints.

Under New Labor No-Labor, it seems the rights & concerns of workers are yet again of little or no importance.

British workers have alleged that they have been barred from applying to work on major construction projects across the country.

They claim that some firms are using loopholes in European laws to only hire cheaper foreign workers.

How is it justifiable to bar locals from employment while at the same time bringing  in foreign workers .Can one really blame British workers ,particularly in these uncertain times ?

Well yes says the  New Labor No-Labor government …

The Prime Minister and Lord Mandelson, the Business Secretary, have condemned the unofficial action. Mr Brown said he recognised people were “worried” about jobs being taken by workers from other countries, but stressed that the UK was part of a “single European market”. He said the strikes were “not defensible”.

If only it were that simple.

Waiting in the wings,hoping to exploit this situation to it’s advantage, is surprise the British National Party(BNF) and other  right-wing extremists.

Welcome to your nightmare,courtesy of   New Labor No-Labor.

Read more

We’re all immigrants now

That Includes aboriginal peoples…at least in the mind of Harper et al

“Remember we are all new Canadians. Even our Aboriginal Peoples recount oral histories of a long journey from a far-off land. From the first encounters between Europeans and our First Nations Peoples, we have been adding chapters to the story of the immigrant experience.

Gee what a convenient narrative.

So I guess that means aboriginal peoples are just another ethnic minority with no prior claim to anything,well that simplifies things.

So what was the deal with all those treaties ,they were…what ?

Read more conservative nonsense here

T-minus 29 days until the only poll that counts