2nd cycle of secondary school

Jury's favorite

Author: Esther Valansline Romain

School: Collège de L'Assomption

Text: The plight of visible minorities in foreign lands

The plight of visible minorities in foreign lands

The situation of visible minorities in foreign lands is hardly appealing. While it's important not to generalize, this is certainly what a significant portion of this migrant population endures. This is especially true if one comes from a developing country and, moreover, is Black. At this stage, one is subjected to a double persecution: discrimination based on origin and racial discrimination.

You might be wondering why this subject affects me so deeply. It's because I was born in a developing country, and every day I witness the harassment my Black brothers and sisters endure. Instead of valuing them for their skills and talents, they are treated as worthless, as outcasts. Yet, the reality is quite different, because in their own countries, these people were privileged, fulfilling noble professions. This is the case for educators, doctors, lawyers, and engineers who have their degrees, considered mere formalities, denied recognition simply because they were obtained in countries that don't inspire much confidence.

As a result, they end up in factory jobs, low-paying positions despite their qualifications. To further discourage them, they are sometimes forced to start their studies all over again, regardless of their age and numerous responsibilities. For example, qualified doctors find themselves working as orderlies, or even as servers at McDonald's.

As for the courageous ones who decide to fight for their place in the system and choose to resume their studies, they are subjected to numerous forms of harassment and humiliation. Not only are they required to maintain a very high average, but during internships, everything is done to fail them. Quite often, they are asked to return to their country of origin because they are not welcome due to their skin color. They are considered invaders, job stealers, gangsters, troublemakers. In the eyes of the embittered, their success is inconsistent with their values. Consequently, they become targets in their neighborhoods because of their nice houses, prey to the police because of their luxury cars, and scapegoats for their coworkers; in short, public enemy number one.

On the other side of the coin, Westerners are not received in the same way; they are welcomed with open arms. Their integration is even encouraged through bonuses and all sorts of benefits. Management positions are reserved for them in hospitals and companies, regardless of whether their skills are less than those of visible minorities.

But then the question arises: should this minority group be so denigrated? Shouldn't this famous fairness that we constantly talk about apply to them?.

These are all questions that require a thorough answer.