Close Reading

I worked with an african in BC . He showed me his bank account it had 90k in it . He told me it was free money and he saved it up . He told me point blank that it was amazing that my own country hated me more than a stranger . I never forgot it

Colombia's President said >>>> Trump, I don't really like travelling to the US, it's a bit boring, but I confess that there are some commendable things. I like going to the black neighbourhoods of Washington, where I saw an entire fight in the US capital between blacks and Latinos with barricades, which seemed like nonsense to me, because they should join together. \n \nI confess that I like Walt Whitman and Paul Simon and Noam Chomsky and Miller \n \nI confess that Sacco and Vanzetti, who have my blood, are memorable in the history of the USA and I follow them. They were murdered by labor leaders with the electric chair, the fascists who are within the USA as well as within my country \n \nI don't like your oil, Trump, you're going to wipe out the human species because of greed. Maybe one day, over a glass of whiskey, which I accept, despite my gastritis, we can talk frankly about this, but it's difficult because you consider me an inferior race and I'm not, nor is any Colombian. \n \nSo if you know someone who is stubborn, that's me, period. You can try to carry out a coup with your economic strength and your arrogance, like they did with Allende. But I will die in my law, I resisted torture and I resist you. I don't want slavers next to Colombia, we already had many and we freed ourselves. What I want next to Colombia are lovers of freedom. If you can't accompany me, I'll go elsewhere. Colombia is the heart of the world and you didn't understand that, this is the land of the yellow butterflies, of the beauty of Remedios, but also of the colonels Aureliano Buendía, of which I am one, perhaps the last. \n \nYou will kill me, but I will survive in my people, which is before yours, in the Americas. We are peoples of the winds, the mountains, the Caribbean Sea and of freedom. \n \nYou don't like our freedom, okay. I don't shake hands with white slavers. I shake hands with the white libertarian heirs of Lincoln and the black and white farm boys of the USA, at whose graves I cried and prayed on a battlefield, which I reached after walking the mountains of Italian Tuscany and after being saved from Covid. \n \nThey are the United States and before them I kneel, before no one else. \n \nOverthrow me, President, and the Americas and humanity will respond. \n \nColombia now stops looking north, looks at the world, our blood comes from the blood of the Caliphate of Cordoba, the civilization of that time, of the Roman Latins of the Mediterranean, the civilization of that time, who founded the republic, democracy in Athens; our blood has the black resistance fighters turned into slaves by you. In Colombia is the first free territory of America, before Washington, of all America, there I take refuge in its African songs. \n \nMy land is made up of goldsmiths who worked in the time of the Egyptian pharaohs and of the first artists in the world in Chiribiquete. \n \nYou will never rule us. The warrior who rode our lands, shouting freedom, who is called Bolívar, opposes us. \n \nOur people are somewhat fearful, somewhat timid, they are naive and kind, loving, but they will know how to win the Panama Canal, which you took from us with violence. Two hundred heroes from all of Latin America lie in Bocas del Toro, today's Panama, formerly Colombia, which you murdered. \n \nI raise a flag and as Gaitán said, even if it remains alone, it will continue to be raised with the Latin American dignity that is the dignity of America, which your great-grandfather did not know, and mine did, Mr. President, an immigrant in the USA, \n \nYour blockade does not scare me, because Colombia, besides being the country of beauty, is the heart of the world. I know that you love beauty as I do, do not disrespect it and you will give it your sweetness. \n \nFROM TODAY ON, COLOMBIA IS OPEN TO THE ENTIRE WORLD, WITH OPEN ARMS, WE ARE BUILDERS OF FREEDOM, LIFE AND HUMANITY. \n \nI am informed that you impose a 50% tariff on the fruits of our human labor to enter the United States, and I do the same. \n \nLet our people plant corn that was discovered in Colombia and feed the world \n \n1:15 PM · Jan 26, 2025 ·11.1M Views

over loaded heath care and support system the fact the government could care less about the bill they are creating the lack of good paying jobs as the government shuts down oil projects at every turn and god help the car industry with these idiots at the table - the NAFT just oh sure well just let you gut it - yes its a paradise of high rent low income and socialists on the rise not to mention protests on the rise as well as homeless - as to racism im going to say its done by all groups on a level just whites are less likely to report it, I've been harassed by an Indian police officer waiting on a street car, been told i cant date a woman i worked with she must date a good Indian boy (who she married and he abused her) had black guy harass me and my date she was African pretty much every time we went out, and while dating a Latino i had 6 guys stand in my way blocking me from going in the hall telling me I was not welcome as it was a community event. none of which i reported and that just me so stats just show whos will to do paper work - over all while ive seen plenty of open racism and hatred in the US, here id say its more mild intolerance to indifference and even thats going away

Everyone has their own opinions, thoughts and preferences. I did not listen to the entire video but sharing my story.\n\nI came to Toronto Canada it's been 22 years and I will leave here and die here despite its expensive to live but people stay where they belong, where their soul is at peace and where there is their happiness.\n\nI moved here with my abusive husband at that time. Back home as divorce was taboo, I would have remained married n suffer. He moved on and left me and my child of 5 years old on the street but thanks to Canada, no one judged me, no one talked about me. I did not ask or took any help cause I worked 2 jobs for few years to make ends meet. With time things got better, now my child has graduated and working.\nHe worked n paid for his studies.\nI have not been discriminated or faced racism despite I come from African continent and of colour but my son has as he was young but he learnt from it.\nCanada gave me my freedom, my peace, my happiness and I am no longer discrimated by my own religion, culture and people who thinks if you are lighter you are prettier.\nWomen were and are still considered secondary compared to men.\nHere we are equal.\nHere they love and respect me for who I am and not based on looks.\nBack home my c-section was f up and I am still paying the consequences. After an accident, I had to go through a leg surgery. Back home hospital lost my file and made me wait for years.\nHere I was handled with love and care when the hospital staff learnt that I have no family here. They stayed with me and watched on me after my surgery.\nI love Canada and my Canadian friends and all adopted families.\nThis is the best decision in my entire life that's why when I die I will donate all my organs and help others.\nI am allowed to keep dual citizenship but I don't care about back home.\nI am Canadian, I have a good job cause I worked for it, I speak 5 languages including French. I work for the govt and we have a balanced life.\n\nHappiness is within us, you just have to find where your heart belongs, mine is Canada. \nMerci a Canada ??

Most Canadians of European heritage understand that those of African or Caribbean heritage will almost never actually like the cold of a Canadian winter. But we sure do, we love snowmobiling, ice hockey, ice fishing, skiing and snowboarding and all things winter. As for the long lines in an emergency department, That's called triage, and it's the same in every developed nation, granted it's a headache and discouraging, but it's the price you pay for free healthcare. I had a kidney stone flare up a few years ago and a friend that was with me drove me to the hospital, I had a morphine shot within 5 minutes of entering and left within an hour, It all depends on how big your boo-boo is that dictates your wait time. Jobs? Yes we have different standards than other country's and need to ensure the applicant is up to Canadian standards, and the last I checked our unemployment rate was around 3.7 %. Unfortunately, Canada has dropped from 9th spot in the world's happiest countries down to 14th, but still way ahead of the US. Oh, and Canadians almost never immigrate to the US, we head there sometimes for a vacation to Florida, but most of us when we have worked a lifetime and are retiring either stay somewhere here or head to Belize or Costa Rica Or portugal where housing and food is much more affordable. So in ending and a small counter to your video title. Reasons to stay in Canada are Freedom, free healthcare, social safety net, tons of winter activities, large job market for motivated individuals, Fair elections where you can vote out a party that you don't like, The peace of mind that you can walk down the street without worrying that you will be shot, robbed, mugged or molested. That's my Canada and I love it.

I have to respectfully disagree with you girls on the tax system in Canada. You mention that you cannot be a millionaire or a billionaire. \n\nI really think that is the problem with our generation, excessive greed, everyone wants to be a millionaire/billionaire, but the reality is most of people in this world will only live an average middle class life or below, that has been the case throughout history in every country on earth. \n\nInstead of wanting to be a millionaire you should strive follow your passion and to master your craft, and if and when you do so, the end result maybe you achieving millionaire billionaire status \n\nThis how most rich people got their wealth, they worked at their craft and had passion and eventually they got the wealth that came along with it \n\nI agree with Canada's progressive tax system, the only problems we have run into since 2010 is that the government has been misallocating taxes collected and giving co-operate tax breaks. But the principle of the progressive tax system makes sense, because up until recently (2010ish) it prevented the nation's wealth from accumulating at the top and in the process increased the velocity of money.\n\n This enabled business to thrive because money was constantly changing hands instead of being concentrated at the top. \n\nThis had an overall effect of enabling most Canadians to join the middle class and in turn make Canada an attractive destination for many immigrants including your selves \n\nIf Canadian system did not have a progressive tax system, there would be gross inequality with all the associated problems (crime/drugs etc). \n\nI really think prospective immigrants should be realistic about their expectations before moving to Canada to avoid dissatisfaction. \n\nIf you could not be a millionaire in the country you were born in and of which culture you belong, but some how you believe that you can move half a world away and become a millionaire. \n\nYou know part of the reason you could not even achieve middle income statust in Africa (I am from Africa as well) let alone be a millionaire is because all the wealth in most African countries is concentrated in the hands of a few corrupt bastards in the government. \n\nThis concentration of wealth at the top is possible when there is no progressive tax system and ensures economic equilibrium in all sectors of the economy\n\nIt is the reason why there is no jobs or opportunity for young people in developing countries \n\nDo not get me wrong you can still be a millionaire in Canada, but you will have to really earn it, there is no shortcuts in life\n\nPatience, passion and perseverance is the key.

My wife, my 3 kids and I used to like Vancouver but not anymore!!! The weather is why we plan to leave for good but also the expensive rents! I also heard about horror stories at many hospitals (and yes, I have worked in Africa and to be honest, Africans hospitals are way more functional than the ones in Canada in terms of human aspect… there they care, Canadians do not give a shit about anyone!!! And I am saying this as a Belgian!!! I have some African colleagues at work here and at least 80 percent of them either want to go back to Africa (one is actually going to start an Afro business there and build his own house) or move to Europe (one of them plans to live to my homeland Belgium and two others in France as apparent the pensions there are way better than the Canadian one) as soon as they get enough experience in canada! None of us at work , including me, want to retire or get old here in Canada! For me personally, it is the Canadian extreme loneliness and lack of willingness to open to others that really shuts me down… I am fed up and and tired of paying taxes in a country where some (not all) hospitals and some retirement homes treat patients like … objects, not human beings! I now understand (as before I did not) why even some of my African colleagues are looking forward to go back to Africa or to some of them, immigrate to Europe! .. none of us want to be left alone and depressed in this so highly individualistic and unfriendly, falsely “cool” country called Canada… a country that claims America and France are racist countries when not even one CEO in Canada is coloured! I am also fed up of Canadians being cool!!!! Cool???? Yes, their humour is crap and they are all too serious… not astonishing why so many end up being depressed or on meds to be able to function! \nLast: I am fed up with 1. The stupid credit score system which makes North Americans anxious and frustrated!!!! Stupidity does not even exist in France or Belgium where I am from! 2.food is Canada is … not good…lol… really close to being bad! 3.the country is boring… reason… people are so disciplined and nothing happens!!! I just miss Europe even if we are far from being perfect and I prefer our imperfections to the Canadian perfect society which end up making people boring and annoying!!! 4. Canadians are shallow compared to us Europeans 5. Their transit system sucks if compared to Europe 6. Health care system is nothing comptable to what we got in Europe!!!! \nResult: I leave Canada years before retirement as The last thing I want for me is to remain in a country and get “sunk” Into Canadian depression, Canadian loneliness and Canadian “coolness”. \nOhh just as an indicator, it is really rare to see someone who is happy in Vancouver BC these days… the city just looks like a factory to make people work, make Canadian banks richer and pay taxes! Apart from that, I do not give a damn about the beautiful scenery and lakes as long as everyone around gets scammed with unjustified and ridiculous high cost of living!!!

My brother, you are right. Nothing else to add. Living overseas is living the life of loneliness. But I found a solution: I worked, saved money, bought a house back home, and I am getting ready to go back with an investment to enjoy our beautiful African life. Fufu or ugali with goat meat and cabbage. Oh my goodness. Africa is so sweet. Home sweet home.

Moving to Vancouver was a great experience tbh, I'm of nigerian heritage but was born in Finchley, North London...\nCanadians are friendly and extremely welcoming ( Coming from the UK i found this so off-putting ) lol. Ironically its non-white Canadians i had funny experiences with.... from dating to renting its weird\n\n\nAsians under 27 always asking some crazy questions ( Are you an NBA player ) lol it's cute at first but after a while when little koreans walk up to me talking about ( You look like will smith ) it makes you think... To be fair these are not inherent negatives, But asian canadians alone did treat me weird i found, Indian girls i met all wanted to be with me but where also very ashamed to say so or let their family know, but thats a cultural thing so i understood.\n\n\n Of all the demographics White canadian and native men where the most welcoming and open to me, in my experience.. White women of-course where cool too but that does not really count, especially as a good looking black guy with an accent LOOL you know how that goes!! My Tinder and Bumble were obscene LMAO\n\nRenting from asians while black and Male!? is almost impossible!!! Except they think you have rich parents!! Its impossible in Van unless you are an Arab exchange student lol \nArab and Persian students studying english have no issues renting in Vancouver, for some reason!!\n\nI lived out the St. Regis downtown for a month, Looking for places to rent, i had seen so many places online and filled out applications but never got call backs, asides from 2 group showings i went to, i could not even set up a viewing with the apartment building i wanted... \n\nTill i met an african girl in school, and she told me something i found completely crazy.\nShe told me to make a new e-mail addy and to use my English name when i e-mail, then set up a viewing but to show up with a white friend preferably a girl and that if the owner is asian, i should look around, and offer to pay 6months upfront before they get a chance to ask what i did for work or whether i was a student or not LOL. Needless to say, i did what she said and It worked the asian lady asked me to come get the keys later that day. Its just life, as a property owner they really just wanna size you up, not fair and kind of pathetic but its not inherently evil...