...wonderful for the absorption of many elements of another culture, leading to a better understanding of the Quebecois mentality and culture. In subtle and not so subtle ways, they wanted freedom.

 

Freedom for You

You should be,
The people you want to be.

You know, you do not want to be,
What some others want you to be!

Life is for you,
May you be free!

From my school experiences I decided to go into the world of work as a teacher. My first position as a high school teacher was in a bilingual high school and there can be no doubt that I was selected to teach there because of my ability to speak French.

Now I know that many immigrants to Canada have many adjustments to make and even today, there are elements of discrimination. But though discrimination should not exist, it is minor when compared with the discrimination that existed in the 30’s, 40’s and 50’s. In those years it was rank and quite open. There was name calling, physical and mental abuse and discrimination in employment, schooling, and sports and in club memberships where individuals were “blackballed”. Toronto was WASP, wasp country, White, Anglo-Saxon and Protestant.

Today, the children of immigrants have many opportunities for growth and development. Although opportunities were not that great during my youth, the inspiration and encouragement provided by my mother were more than adequate to oblige me to do all in my power to pursue the tasks of learning. My mother would have been pleased and indeed proud of my completion of two masters’ degrees and a doctoral program while holding two international fellowships.