UBC: School for Foreigners
I have a major issue with letters written like this.
This father of a “top student”, a student who he feels strongly is among the “best and the brightest”, has his letter concerning UBC’s attempt to attract international students published in the paper as a legitimate response to President Stephen Toope’s letter.
The term “foreigner” is a dangerous one when used in this context, because when it’s used like so, it’s used as an insult, to segregate communities, to make an identity disparaging. Suddenly, a student who is able to achieve the marks and standards set by the institution shouldn’t be allowed the spot that supposedly deserves to another student because they’re not born in the country.
This is one of many subliminal examples of racism that is becoming more evident in today’s culture and media. The accusations of doping against Shiwen Li, the recent attempt to downplay Ms. China’s win at the Ms. World competition because it was held in China …
We need to start recognizing racism and start calling out on it. Not because we are the same skin colour, not because we are in danger of becoming singled out, but because we need to protect our fellow humans from discrimination.
