Thread by @AmyTanMD, Wasn't going to post this. But given all the discourse that I [...]

Wasn't going to post this. But given all the discourse that I saw on both TV & social media on Canada Day re the denial of all forms of racism in Canada, that national pride was argued by some as mutually exclusive from acknowledging of colonialism/racism, I feel I need to.

1/?

I've gotten some scathing & racist remarks esp online. Many are targeting me as a Canadian of Chinese descent advocating for masks.
But this one hurt: I got this email this AM after being on @CBCMorningLive on July 1 reflecting on my experiences as an MD w racism during #COVID19.

This was a Canada Day special with @cbchh exploring the complexities of Canadian pride along w reflection of the work we need to do to move forward on Reconciliation, systemic racism.

This male was so privileged to NOT obscure their first & last name in msg to my work email &/3

make this personal, racist, derogatory comment towards me (a total stranger) complete w racial slur. This is Canada. I share this not for attention but to share the hidden hurts that BIPOC suffer daily while too many, including govts, deny that racism exists in Canada. #EndRacism

As a young girl, I never saw ppl like me in teen magazines, TV, movies. I was told that my small eyes with no crease were abnormal- that I had to learn to "create a fake crease" to belong. One small ex of othering.

I was born/raised in Canada; never left Canada. I LOVE Canada/5

but loving something includes being able to love it WITH its flaws. That's how I feel now; so grateful my parents immigrated here & have reaped the benefits, yet don't truly belong in the eyes of some/many. This is Canada TODAY. Pls don't deny this- we will never improve if.../6

we continue to deny that this is present in our beloved

. Pls don't deny or silence your friends/colleagues who have everyday microaggressions by being so shocked, pls don't deny so that the anti-racist work to dismantle racist and inequitable structures for all BIPOC can't /7

ever get to a point of true change. We are at a turning point where we can own our difficult history, commit and work to make it better in a sustained way for Indigenous & Black ppl so they aren't endangered by authorities that are supposed to protect them or just walking around.

We must get to BIPOC not being othered in

d/t physical features that are different than "white" features. We MUST acknowledge bias & disparities exist in education & hiring practices. I want the best for Canada. Pls help me w this work
#BlackLivesMatter

#IndigenousLivesMatter

This one was harder to laugh off than 100s other comments I've gotten. There may have been some sting of tears.

But I have wiped them away & replaced it w even more resolve to
BE SILENT NO MORE
& fight for the

I know we can be.

@DToyPries @choo_ek @judyatrinh @wencyleung

Thank you for the kind words & support that erupted on my Twitter while I was taking care of patients and teaching students today. It is so appreciated.
1) The name is redacted because it's not just this 1 person. I could have picked from many others of the 100+ vile comments

..I've gotten to expose racism. It's not abt retribution for this one email that's an example. Plus there are 30+ Twitter accounts for this name & I do NOT want to cause harms to others w his name. This is to shine a light so that such behaviour is no longer acceptable in

..

by creating a TRUE anti-racist society. There has been so much worse-some we see on the news. These horrific racist tragedies must be on the news, but some also think that those are the ONLY incidents that occur and that more casual racism doesn't exist.

2) I am OK. Thanks ++ for the concern. I don't care what he thinks about my looks. Really. The eye comment is a well-worn "othering" tactic to Asians.

3) Thank you to those who have committed to anti-racist work & helping me +others create the

where this TRULY doesn't exist.

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