Why race matters... and why it shouldn't.

The Obama victory demonstrates that race should not be a barrier. Voters chose him for his steady hand during the electoral process, his measured and intelligent response to important issues, and his brilliant tactical mind in this Presidential race. The Obama win demonstrates that race is not a relevant factor to base important issues on.

Still, race can be symbolic of so much. In areas of power, the racial topography does not reflect the diversity that makes North America so strong. When a man of colour can reach the highest post in the world, it sends out a message that the glass is not half-empty, but it is half-full and waiting to be further filled.

In a city as diverse as Toronto, it can seem odd to be struck by Obama's victory. However, in the back of my mind, there was always a glass ceiling that could not be broken. Maybe it was a pessimism from what I remember: school yard taunts of Chink and squinty eyes and pained smiles at being asked where I was born when my white friends wouldn't be and the automatic assumption that your English may not be as strong because of your skin colour. These are the fears I have. Maybe it's why I've spent my years building a sense of humour--so I can laugh with people instead of being laughed at--and travelling the world--so I can be less defined by my race, but instead as a man of the world--and working so hard to be as literate as possible--so my English is never questioned. These are the fears that I have.

I recently had someone say to me that until I had mentioned it, he didn't even realize that I was Asian. I was taken aback, because every day I look in the mirror and I see it. There was a subtle pleasure at having transcended a specific race; I also felt ashamed. As another great man of colour noted: We have to be the change we want to see. My first step will be to let go of the fear that I have clung to. I was stuck, trying too hard to guard a line in the sand, afraid it would get moved back. Instead, I should have realized that true progress can only happen when you believe that line can't be moved back--and then you forge forward. Obama's victory is a victory for everyone.

The Obama victory was one of inclusion and acceptance, not division and ostracism. It is a momentous step that will lead to more. There's no guarantee that the path will become easy. There are still battles, big and small, to be waged daily. Still, we have seen with our very eyes how change can happen and how deeply it can touch people when it does. We can tell our chidren that they can all excel as far as they can see and believe that race should matter only because it demonstrates our ability to join together, to work past differences, to learn from each other.

Yes, we can.

NOW Toronto Travel Article

I wrote an article on the Holocaust Memorial in Berlin for NOW Toronto that was published May 8, 2008. It's a must-see in the city.

Torontoist posts: April 2008

In April, I wrote about the things that make people tick: the price of gas, minimum wage, politics, and people who are in politics who can't prove that they know their stuff. Oh, I also wrote about geese attacks!

You can find all of my posts here. My posts for April include:

Saverist: Gas Relief on April 30, 2008
Political Revue on April 23, 2008
Bisphenol Eh? on April 21, 2008
I Cook Your Goose, I Cook It Up! on April 9, 2008
Toronto, Your Dance Card Is Full on April 7, 2008
Wage Ain't Nothing But A Number on April 4, 2008

Torontoist posts: March 2008

In March, I wrote about saving money, saving money, and saving the facade at the Revue. I also caught up with Lucian Matis from Project Runway Canada and brought to the people how they wanted to pay for their music.

You can find all of my posts here. My posts for March include:

Musica Gratuitous on March 29, 2008
Saverist: Stop Losses on March 27, 2008
Revue Anew on March 20, 2008
Lucian Evolution on March 13, 2008
Taxes Hold 'Em on March 5, 2008

Torontoist posts: February 2008

In February, I wrote a series of rep cinemas in Toronto. It is probably my favourite work ever. After I wrote over 5,000 words over 6 days, I needed a long break (read: 2 weeks) before I dove into March.

You can find all of my posts here. My posts for February include:

Rep Cinema Revival: Bonus Features on February 23, 2008
Rep Cinema Revival: Bloor Allure on February 22, 2008
Rep Cinema Revival: Let's Go, Let's Go, Let's Go Cinematheque on February 21, 2008
Rep Cinema Revival: Fox's Fanboys on February 20, 2008
Rep Cinema Revival: Peer Revue on February 19, 2008
Rep Cinema Revival: From The Festival's Flames on February 18, 2008
Absolutely Fabio-Less on February 13, 2008
Rats, Just My Luck on February 7, 2008
Renda Abdo Gives It Straight on February 1, 2008

Torontoist posts: January 2008

In January, I wrote about food... a lot. I wrote about Winterlicious, as well as SupperSolved and SupperWorks, two companies that help take the work out of cooking. Oh yeah, I wrote about condom stuffing and quitting smoking too.

You can find all of my posts here. My posts for January include:

SupperSweet! on January 25, 2008
Oscar Loves Kitty Pryde. George Michael? Not So Much. on January 22, 2008
I Wish I Knew How To Quit You on January 17, 2008
Winter-lickin' Good on January 10, 2008
Stuff It Real Good on January 1, 2008

Torontoist posts: December 2007

In December, I wrote about Sarah Polley, firemen models, and gave my choices for Hero and Villain of 2007. I chose an upstart, Urbana Coffee, as my Hero to counter Jet Fuel Coffee, chosen as a Villain by another Torontoist writer. The ensuing discussion got a bit heated and even ended up in the National Post.

You can find all of my posts here. My posts for December include:

Villain: Television Commercials on December 29, 2007
Gift Discard on December 27, 2007
Hero: Urbana Coffee on December 27, 2007
Hot Like Fire, Man on December 21, 2007
No Peace For Peacekeepers on December 21, 2007
Run, Run, Run, Runway on December 18, 2007
Critics Can't Keep Away From Sarah Polley on December 12, 2007
Distillery Drunks Get Designated Drivers on December 11, 2007
$3.38 Million Extra Value For McDonald's? on December 5, 2007