[Jay]

Oh boy...... I cant believe Im going to post in this thread. However, I suppose I give a perspective that is quite rare.

I grew up in lower-mainland BC, Canada. We have a large population of east-indian and asian people outside of Caucasian populations here. Infact there are so many east indians in one area (Surrey) and asians (Richmond) that they pretty much occuppy half of the populations with in those cities.... with Vancouver being a mix and all other places being mix and or dominated by Caucasian populations.

With the above being said and hearing stories from what used to happen back in the day when my dad guy's immigrated here as to when I was growing up versus current day...... huge difference.

Apparently back in the 80's.... the KKK had a huge presence in Vancouver..... so these guys used to chuck chicken bones at any east indian persons passing car (based on religion they know a lot of east indians dont eat meat)... threaten random house wives.... etc.... the works.

When i was in elementary school..... a lot of caucasion kids used to pick on us and stuff..... we got beat up verbally a lot and me personally not physically simply because i was a big kid i suppose for my ages.

High school.... I went to a primarily caucasion school when everyone else went to schools where there was more "mix". Never had any real problems, except this one kid.... which ended bad for him I might add. But you coudl still feel the tension some times.

Now after life into college and social life at bars and everywhere else.... I think it is way better! However are their elements that make distinct seperations that race and skin color still matter? Yes, definitely. Do I think its ever gunna completely go away? No, definitely not.

Me personally now a days I have more trouble with "my own race", lol than anyone else..... I am apparently what some would call "white washed". I don't think I am that per say (I dont think anyone is that infact).... simply put I think Im a by-product of my environment.... and that is being a Canadian.

That being said..... I dont know if its the feeling of being at Home that made me feel this, but, I think posting this on a forum dominated by Americans in # is important.... just for reasons perhaps I will get feedback and to really voice how I feel when I head down south.

I have travelled WA (seattle, tacoma), OR, CA, NY, and the list goes one. If I haven been anywhere its pretty much central America. Been out east and been out in the west. Same goes for Canada.... ive been to toronto, montreal, etc...

However, every time I travel south ..... I feel like their is more racial tension then up north here in Canada. Just the way people look at you and talk to you I found can be really different from up North. Now im not refering to the politeness/rudeness thing..... just the racial aspect. I guess it could just be me feeling a little bit not at home.... but do you guys from the south that travel up north feel this?

I would like to make a special mention however, that you Cali and NY people rock. Every time Im down in LA or NY its an awesome time.... although (hope I dont get battered for this) you guys speacially in NY are a bit "rude" in hi/byes and small stuff like that, lol?

Dunno if thats that small town effect coming from BC. Also, down in LA its funny how everyone thinks im spanish or italian.... lol... they will start talking to me in spanish or italian and I will be like huh? Had this guy just go off at me at me at venice beach in spanish for like two minutes before he let me cut him off and I was like no spanish dude.

But anyways.... back on the thread topic... to answer the question in short..... i think we have gotten better about it... and will continue to do so... but the "problem" if you will.... is still there.