We salute our many members with Asian heritage, and we invite all members to learn and support Asian Heritage Month organizations and events in your community.
We simply would not recognize the world we live in without the contributions of Asians and Asian Canadians. Asian heritage is rich and diverse, just as Asia is large and complex in its beauty and power. So rich, in fact, that May is also South Asian heritage month, January is Tamil Heritage Month, November is Hindu Heritage month, and February is now Chinese Heritage Month in Ontario.
Asian Canadians have migrated to Canada since before Confederation — to be part of nation-building infrastructure work like the railway; to escape persecution, oppression or war; and to find new opportunities. Shamefully, Canada did not always welcome Asian migrants and what they brought to our society. Many came under unfree, indentured work arrangements, many found heavily restricted and segregated opportunities, wave after wave of Asian migration found racism and violence, many were turned away, and some were even imprisoned and called enemies. Some of these obstacles are still in place.
Contributions of Asian Canadians stand out against a history of such oppression. We have to face the facts of this history even while we celebrate the achievements of those who overcame so much adversity.
At times, workers with Asian heritage have created distinct unions within the labour movement in Canada to work on issues like racism in immigration laws, or better conditions for migrant caregivers.
Since then, the wider labour movement has begun to confront racism in its own past, and more workers with Asian heritage are represented in the rank and file, and now increasingly in leadership positions.
