Montrealers tackle racism, identity in weekend workshops

A series of workshops in Montreal this weekend focused ontough questions about racism and identity in Quebec.

• Chinese or Canadian? One Montrealer's identity crisis
• 5 'Real Talk on Race' stories that got you talking on Facebook

The president and co-founder of Qubec inclusif, milie Nicolas, said that there is more overt hate in society than before.

The event was created in wake of recent incidents of blackface and Islamophobia, said one of the organizers.

"It's not about 'now.' It's a continuous work," saidHaroun Bouazza. "Racism is changing, and the fight against racism should change also."

Roundtable discussions, workshops and panels allowed participants to share their feelings on the subject.

Rosa Pires said she's tired of people constantly asking her where she isfrom.

"We were born here," Pires said. "We are Quebecers, as everybody else. And we are excluded."

• Questions you wish people would stop asking you based on how you look
• Iraqi journalist finds peace and acceptance in Montreal