Pretty surprising, would have assumed the opposite. Don't people in smaller towns have less exposure to immigrants + a higher likelihood of leaning right?
Is racism generally tied up in skin color or immigrant behavior? Would an immigrant with education, social & language skills be subject to more or less racism as one without?
Does this play into hiring practices, social interactions or other situations? Would love some honest answers.
I will try my best to keep this smooth. Topics around race are difficult.
We tend to blame immigrant behavior for this, but I don't think it is to blame. With high barriers to entry, at least since the last 20-25 years, immigrants here are of good quality regardless of what work they do after coming in.
My cousins are second generation canadians and they acknowledge the covert racism here. It doesn't mean you won't have friends. It just means that the likelihood of inter racial friendships is not very common. People are generally tolerant, but that's different from being free of prejudice. That said, if you are from a cool major like medicine or law, or one where there is an incentive for being friends with, then one's skin color doesn't matter. Same is the case for people working in those high paying, elite industries(eg. on Bay Street here aka Canadian Wallstreet). There are some South Asian CEO's.
I was in a diverse classroom, and in the end I saw people giving up and they kind of stuck to their own. Just a small example. I am sure many newbies tried to, and it didn't work out. I am not talking about dating but just basic friendships here.
As far as hiring practices go, if it is a skilled job I don't think it matters. If there is a hiring preference, they rely on surnames to weed people out. You may find this interesting:
https://hbswk.hbs.edu/item/minorities-who-whiten-job-resumes-get-more-interviews
There is systemic racism too. Not as bad as the incidents one sees in the U.S, but there is for sure.
Going back to the small town thing, yes, even I was surprised, they are very nice and welcoming. I know that's different compared to the US, and the EU. As far as politics goes, Western Canada is historically red.
FYI, I have more American friends than Canadians. Some are from red states. I think there, people want to know you and then decide whether to talk or not. So they give you a chance. Here, race can be a starter, or a non-starter. It could just be my opinion based on my experience. I could be wrong. You have lived there longer.
Since you are moving here, I would say actively look out to socialize with people of your own community first. And then build on that. If you belong to that club on the top, then even better.
The bottom line is the $ though. Even if one doesn't fit in anywhere, the money will help.
