Alejandro / Canada 
Have you ever dealt with racism or sexism?
Hi, my name's Alejandro. I am from Toronto, Canada, and my question is, have you ever dealt with racism or sexism?
And I've dealt with both. Even being a man in the city, it's not uncommon. This is more so an easy question. Living in Canada as a person of color, racism isn't uncommon. While Canada's more accepting, given that we have a history of helping people escape slavery through the Underground Railroad in St. Catherine's, that doesn't mean everybody is so accepting. Of course, now Toronto is a more multicultural city, but racism, again, it's not uncommon and hateful speech happens. I have worked as a tree planter, which has allowed me the privilege of traveling throughout so many wonderful different parts of Canada. And in these other parts of Canada, diversity is not as common and people aren't always as familiar with other cultures, other cultural practices, and they're not as accepting. I've lived in places like Manitoba and Saskatchewan, and I definitely felt a little bit out of place, and that's okay. It's all a matter of how people kind of accept you into their communities, and they were still accepting, although there was different levels of discomfort that I felt and somewhat a little bit of familiar unfamiliarity on their part as to how other people interacted with me. So there are different levels to this, but it happens in many different forms and it's not uncommon, but we strive. We strive, anyhow.
How to Practice Vocabulary
- Review the vocabulary.
- Complete the blanks below with correct words.
- Check your answers. Correct any wrong answers!
out of place
Meaning: Feeling like you don’t belong in a certain situation or environment.
Examples:
- I felt out of place at the party because I didn’t know anyone.
- Moving to a new country can make you feel out of place at first.
cultural practices
Meaning: The traditions, customs, and behaviors of a specific group of people.
Examples:
- Learning about different cultural practices helps promote understanding.
- Some cultural practices are passed down through generations.
It's all a matter of
Meaning: Used to explain that something depends on a particular situation or perspective.
Examples:
- It's all a matter of how you approach the problem.
- It's all a matter of perspective—what seems rude in one culture may be normal in another.
level of discomfort
Meaning: Different degrees of feeling uneasy or uneasy situations.
Examples:
- I experienced different levels of discomfort when adjusting to my new workplace.
- Some people feel slight awkwardness in new situations, while others experience higher levels of discomfort.
a person of color
Meaning: A term used to describe someone who is not white, often in discussions about race and identity.
Examples:
- As a person of color, he has faced unique challenges in his career.
- Representation of people of color in media is improving but still has a long way to go.
racism
Meaning: Discrimination or unfair treatment based on a person’s race.
Examples:
- Racism should never be tolerated in any society.
- Many people continue to fight against racism to create a more equal world.
sexism
Meaning: Discrimination or unfair treatment based on a person’s gender or sex.
Examples:
- The company had a history of sexism regarding promotions.
- There is still sexism in regards to leadership positions in society.
escape slavery
Meaning: To flee or find freedom from being enslaved.
Examples:
- Many enslaved people risked their lives to escape slavery.
- The Underground Railroad helped thousands of people escape slavery to freedom.
accepting
Meaning: Open-minded and welcoming toward differences.
Examples:
- Canada is known for being a very accepting country.
- It’s important to be accepting of people from different backgrounds.
Underground Railroad
Meaning: A secret network in the 1800s that helped enslaved people escape to freedom, especially in Canada and the northern U.S.
Examples:
- The Underground Railroad was a lifeline for many escaping slavery.
- Harriet Tubman played a key role in the Underground Railroad.
hateful speech
Meaning: Words or expressions that insult, harm, or discriminate against someone.
Examples:
- Social media platforms are working to remove hateful speech from their sites.
- Hateful speech can have serious emotional and psychological effects.
privilege
Meaning: A special opportunity or advantage that not everyone has.
Examples:
- He had the privilege of traveling to many countries for work.
- Education is a privilege that not everyone in the world has access to.
Vocabulary Quiz
hateful • privilege • discomfort
Keep Listening
Got another minute! Try these lesssons.
Watch More Videos >>
The more you listen, the faster you improve!
