Experiences of Racial Minorities in Rural Communities and Small

Towns

Dr. Daniel Lai

Faculty of Social Work

University of Calgary

Racism Exists

• Education

• Employment

• Social Services

• Health Care

Urban and Rural

• Preponderance of Research

• Erroneous Assumption

• Current research in small towns

Research Question

What are the lived experiences of racial minorities in small towns and rural settings?

Racial Minorities: Individuals, Families,

and GroupsPower &

Control Issues

Employment

Access to Services

Experience of Racial Minorities in Rural and Small Communities: A Proposed Socio-Cultural Context

Self-Identity & Sense of Control

Education

Vulnerability &

Helplessness

Daily Social Interactions

Sense of Safety & SecurityRural and Small

Communities

Larger Socio-Cultural Environment & Influence of City Issues

Racism&

Other Forms

ofDiscrim-ination

Methods

• Semi-structured, face-to-face interviews• Interviews performed in English• Interviews taped and transcribed• Participants recruited by networking and snowball

sampling• 19 visible minorities• Thematic analysis

Participants• 19 visible minorities• Small rural communities in Alberta• Varied ethnic background (e.g. China, Columbia,

Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Africa, Malaysia, the Philippines, Chile, Singapore etc)

• 12 females, 7 males • Ages varied between 20 and 60• 2 Canadian born, 17 immigrants in Canada for a few

months to 45 years• Post-secondary education or higher

English: Crazy Language

“English is a really crazy language, difficult and crazy” (unidentified)

“there are barrier…The doors are all right there but they’re all locked…” (female, visible minority, 34 years in Canada)

Only ‘Canadian’ Experience Counts

“…nobody wanted to give him a job the first time, they always asked for Canadian experience…[and] the credentials, it’s unbelievable…because their degrees are not recognized at all..” (female, visible minority, 34 years in Canada)

“…if they would just accept people for their abilities and education…if someone has the education, give them an opportunity.” (male, visible minority)

Only ‘Canadian Education’ Counts

“I have a big disadvantage over here (being in a small community)…I accept that they will not accept my education…I want to go…I will move to another town like Calgary or Edmonton, and I’d want to go only for education…no other reason” (male, visible minority, 2 years in Canada)

“I have to go back to school…it will take three years…it’s just to upgrade…(male, visible minority, 10 years in Canada)

‘You, Immigrant’

“wherever you go you will even encounter them…’you immigrant, go home’…when we’re a group they always say, ‘Immigrant! Go to your home by boat’.” (female, visible minority, 15 years in Canada)

‘we have foreigners as supervisors. That’s the last! That is the highest you can go.” (male, visible minority, 10 years in Canada)

‘You, Immigrant’ Big City Small Town

“I was more visible in a way…here, people see, can see much more…when I moved to that smaller town…I find that everybody knew me.”(female, visible minority, 34 years in Canada)

“I like the peace and quiet environment…It’s good because we all know each other.” (male, visible minority, 10 years in Canada)

Generation Issues

“we are adapting, we are learning all the time and our childhood was there, you know, so we learned certain ways. Sometimes it’s hard to change certain things.” (female, visible minority, 34 years)

“…believe it would be easier to keep up the cultural perspective if there were more people around.” (male, visible minority, 2 years in Canada)

“I think especially going away to school and university, meeting other people that were second or first generation or even just being around other cultures than…Caucasian. It’s just a healthier place….” (female, visible minority, born in Canada)

Conclusions

• Good and Bad• Visibility• Diplomatic Explanations• Gentle Approach for Harsh Reality

Policy Implications

• Cultural awareness in smaller communities

• Support for immigrant and ethnic minorities in smaller communities– Protection– Advancement