I am Canadian.

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Let me tell you a story about my life in Canada.

My parents emigrated from Hong Kong to Canada for two reasons: 1) to be with family; and 2) to flee the impending handover of Hong Kong. I was born and raised in Canada, and have a closer attachment to Canada than I do with my Chinese ancestry. Throughout my entire childhood, I was barely taught about the actual history of this country, with only a meek mention of the Indigenous peoples that had lived here for generations. My family has largely avoided discussing the subject, rarely talking about racism and discrimination. Perhaps it was because we had never experienced it ourselves. More likely it was because of apathy. Apathy has plagued the discourse and way of thinking in this household. And it pains me.

I can't deny that this country has given me so much. But I also can't deny that there is still lots more that needs to be done. It will require a complete change in mindset, but it's not like we haven't done that before. We can do it again. We can rethink how Canada is shaped, and mould it into something different. Something that acknowledges thousands of years of history rather than just 500. Something that includes the voices of the marginalized rather than just the influential. Something that is uniquely Canadian rather than colonially British.

Something that teaches our children about the gruesome history of Canada, and implores them to be active and not apathetic.

I am wearing an orange shirt in the middle. It's the only orange shirt I own. It's tattered and worn out, but it bears the logo of the Ryerson History Society. It reminds me of why I study history. It's to acknowledge what my family will not discuss. It's to learn the flaws of the past and see how they affect the present. It's to create a new path for the future rather than be content with the status quo. It's to bring change. Because #EveryChildMatters. Including the ones that never came home.

Instagram alt text: Three self-portrait photos that have been merged together to create the impression that the photographer has three clones. The one on the left is wearing a Toronto Raptors shirt. The one in the middle is wearing an orange Ryerson History Society shirt. The one on the right is wearing a red shirt that says "Canada" on it. The clones on the left and right are looking towards the one in the middle.

Date Taken: Jul 1, 2021, 11:53:41 AM EST

Camera: Nikon D7100

Lens: AF-S DX VR Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G

Shutter Speed: 1/15 sec (0.067 sec)

Aperture: f/4.5

ISO Speed: 160

Focal Length: 18mm

Flash: Off, did not fire