The racism we faced as Chinese-Canadians, and how it made us stronger

The Things I Wish I Said is a series that captures intimate conversations among three Ottawa families of Asian descent, as parents and children open up about racism and their identities.

Watch the Chinese-Canadian family's full conversation in thevideo above. Read a part of their conversation below, which has been condensed and edited for style and clarity.

My name is Russell Chan andI think racism definitely still exists in Canada.

I mean growing up in Ottawa (where I was born),it wasn't always easy for me to identify with my Asian roots. I just didn't feel comfortable in my own skin.

There were a lot of kids that came up to me that did a lot of racistthings toward me such as the slanted eyes that are associated to Asian people, and even poking fun at the lunch you, mom,would pack me. They would say nonsense words that sounded Asianbut had absolutely no meaning.

• Read this story and watch the video in Chinese here.

I'm 26 years old today, and even now during the pandemic, there were a lot of racist comments and attitudes carried out toward me. I remember walking down the street with a friend of mine and a person yelled at us and said, "Hey you guys get sick a lot" hinting that we were the cause of the pandemic, that we were the cause of viruses being spread around the world.

Looking back now,it does upset me, because Ithink the reason why and you've told me this in the past, mom you chose to come to Canada was because Canada is a multicultural place that is supposed to be inviting.

My name is SuZhang, andI've been here in Canada for 30 years.

When I came here, I was only 26.

One of my first memories of Canada is when my airplane touched down. I said, "Oh that's a lot of snow, [the most] I have ever seen in my life." It was a literal culture shock. I couldn't speak proper English, and I got lost, and I had to go everywhere with relatives around. Suddenly I felt like a child. I felt lost.

This is my country.- Su Zhang

There was one time, when you were little, doyou remember? We were living in the condominium. I brought you to the swimming pool and a lady would make a comment about you. They said, "Oh yourchild's making too much noise. Where did you come from? Does your family have a restaurant? How can you live here?"

I said, "No. We don't have a restaurant." So they asked me, "Are you a diplomat's wife?" I said I wasn't and that my husband just works here. They looked at me and said your child's making too much noise and we should not be here.

Today, I am a school teacher and theonly Asianone at my school. I amproud of my heritage.

I teach my kindergarten class Chinese crafts and about the dragon festival. Ieven teach them aChinese birthday song, every time a birthday comes along. The kids and parents give me good comments about that.

I spent half my life already in Canada and I think this is my country. This is my second home and motherland.