Polish immigrants, who make up a larger proportion of Chicago’s population than any city outside Poland, experience none of this prejudice. Those people who are pushing the English-only issue give language-related arguments for their stand, but it really boils down to the American war on the poor and the nonwhite.

I think it’s unfortunate that when matters of immigration and ethnicity are discussed in Canada there is so little historical context and perspective. It’s as if all of this is happening in a void (except of course for token references to “Paris riots” and “British bombings,” which only serve to make the discussion more sensational). But virtually all immigrant groups to Canada have lived, at one point or another, in highly concentrated ethnic enclaves. Why do people suddenly forget that there are distinct Italian, Jewish, Ukrainian and Polish neighbourhoods in Canadian cities? Why does nobody attack Westmount for being 1/4 Jewish while Markham is held up as a cautionary example because it is 1/3 Chinese?

Honestly, some people might roll their eyes at this, but I think that many Canadians hold underlying assumptions about this country that can only be described as racist or at least “white normative.” It’s somehow okay when white people congregate, as in Forest Hill, Rosedale or the Beach, but not when people of colour congregate, as in Agincourt or Brampton.

That said, another big problem is the superficial understanding of the dynamics of ethnic enclaves themselves. Places like Markham and Brampton simply have nothing in common with old-style Little Italys and Chinatowns, which were more of a reaction to external forces than anything else. When a Punjabi person moves to Brampton he does so for a wide range of reasons. The phenomenon is complex and cannot be reduced to “he wants to live with other brown people.”

Finally, I think that Canadian coverage of immigration issues tends overwhelmingly towards the negative. Marina Jiménez’s article is no exception. Why is there no emphasis on the many neighbourhoods that are racially and ethnically mixed? There are plenty of examples to choose from.

As for ‘ethnic enclaves’, would anyone expect anything different? Anyone who has any experience studying the migration of people knows that, when possible, people settle close to others who share cultural commonalities (food, language, religion, etc.). This is an aspect of the human condition that government policy in a free country cannot alter. The result for the greater community is another neighbourhood where one can experience authentic international cuisine or other imported goods for example, and more generally get a sense for different ways in which people can live.

Personally, I wouldn’t want it any other way. Ethnic enclaves make life in places like Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal (to name the biggies) exhilarating and rich. I cringe thinking of what these cities would be like without their vibrant immigrant communities, never mind the state of the national economy (whole other debate – I know).

I am comforted with the hunch that our generation (those old enought to think about this issue, born since ’75 maybe?), of whom the majority live in urban areas, overwhelmingly share this point of view. As for people that live in places such as Hérouxville or Dryden – I respect your lifestyle, your community and your values but I do ask that you not contribute divisive and ignorant stereotypes to the cultural integration debate. I really don’t know how the people of Dryden feel about the state of multi-culturalism (and I apologize for my assumption) but it seemed like a reasonable English-Canadian cousin to a town like Hérouxville.

Thank you Quebec. As usual you have got the rest of the country talking about things that we’re generally a little bit too shy to bring up first! Gotta love the dynamics of this country.