本文发表在 rolia.net 枫下论坛To whom it might concern,
I am writing to express deep concerns about the role that Ms. Maria Yau has played in the recent incident of racism against students of Asian ancestry;
I am writing to request that you take disciplinary actions against Ms. Maria Yau, as I believe she failed to be a qualified educator;
I am writing to request that you review this incident and clarify TDSB's position to the public;
- In their recent issue of annual university rankings, Maclean's published an article titled 'Too Asian?' (subtitle 'Worries that efforts in the U.S. to limit enrollment of Asian students in top universities may migrate to Canada');
-On November 10, 2010, Toronto Star published an article titled 'Asian students suffering for success';
(
The copies of the two articles can be found online:
http://www2.macleans.ca/2010/11/10/too-asian/
http://www.thestar.com/article/888368--asian-students-being-forced-into-university-maclean-s
)
Like many people, I am outraged as I believe these two articles are racially biased, inciting racism against students and parents of Asian ancestry. Also the articles are beyond being ridiculous in blaming these students for their hardworking and their success.
Ms. Maria Yau was quoted by Toronto Star in their article, as research coordinator at TDSB. Based on her public comments during a conference, “East Asian Parents: Multiple Pathways to Success”, the article concluded said that 'parents of Asian background are coming underfire from their own community for pushing their children into university programs for which many have no real interest or talent...'
According to Toronto Star,
- Maria Yau said, “Even though our children always seem to have high enough marks to get into university, the hidden truth is that they don’t always have the independence or social skills to survive once they’re there.”
- Of some 20 per cent of Toronto public high school students of east Asian background, fully 85 per cent of their parents say they expect their children to go to university, according to a 2008 TDSB survey', ... Maria Yau said it’s not “natural” for any group to have so many students heading for university. “Can they really all be qualified or emotionally ready for that kind of learning?”
In my opinion, as a public role representing TDSB, the education authority, it's very inappropriate for Ms. Maria Yau to make such comments, and that these comments are misleading. Her comments suggest that in Canadian universities there are too many students of Asian ancestry, and that students of Asian ancestry are not qualified and talented, and that it's the parents that are forcing these students into the universities.
As I've mentioned to Macleans, here are some basic facts:
- Most, if not all, of the so-called 'Asian' students are Canadian citizens or permanent residents, thus they have the same right of education as do the other Canadian citizens and permanent residents;
- These students are competing with other students under the same rules;
- Some students, including these successful Asian students, fair better in schools and universities because they are smarter, or work harder, or being smarter and work harder at the same time;
If our society truly value equal opportunity for all citizens, then race, skin color and ethnicity should not matter. As long as the participants are competing on the same starting line and following the same fair rules, why is there a problem at all?
And based on what I've seen, the majority of sensible parents would hope that one day their kids would have higher education, no matter which ethnic group or race they are from. The reason is simple, formal higher education is the key to attain skills and get prepared to contribute to the well-being of the society. Why is there anything wrong for the parents bearing such hopes? Pursuing education in the universities or elsewhere is purely the choices made by the students and their families, it's their own problem, not yours. I have to say to Ms. Maria Yau and people alike, as Canadians we have basic rights to make our own choices in our lives, as long as we are following the rules and obeying the laws, you as a by-stander have no right to interfere. Just mind your own business!
Ms. Maria Yau has crossed the line between right and wrong in making such public comments, which are racially biased, of poor taste and poor judgment, and showed her lack of sense of responsibility as an educator.
Yours truly,
xxxxxxxxxxxxx更多精彩文章及讨论,请光临枫下论坛 rolia.net
I am writing to express deep concerns about the role that Ms. Maria Yau has played in the recent incident of racism against students of Asian ancestry;
I am writing to request that you take disciplinary actions against Ms. Maria Yau, as I believe she failed to be a qualified educator;
I am writing to request that you review this incident and clarify TDSB's position to the public;
- In their recent issue of annual university rankings, Maclean's published an article titled 'Too Asian?' (subtitle 'Worries that efforts in the U.S. to limit enrollment of Asian students in top universities may migrate to Canada');
-On November 10, 2010, Toronto Star published an article titled 'Asian students suffering for success';
(
The copies of the two articles can be found online:
http://www2.macleans.ca/2010/11/10/too-asian/
http://www.thestar.com/article/888368--asian-students-being-forced-into-university-maclean-s
)
Like many people, I am outraged as I believe these two articles are racially biased, inciting racism against students and parents of Asian ancestry. Also the articles are beyond being ridiculous in blaming these students for their hardworking and their success.
Ms. Maria Yau was quoted by Toronto Star in their article, as research coordinator at TDSB. Based on her public comments during a conference, “East Asian Parents: Multiple Pathways to Success”, the article concluded said that 'parents of Asian background are coming underfire from their own community for pushing their children into university programs for which many have no real interest or talent...'
According to Toronto Star,
- Maria Yau said, “Even though our children always seem to have high enough marks to get into university, the hidden truth is that they don’t always have the independence or social skills to survive once they’re there.”
- Of some 20 per cent of Toronto public high school students of east Asian background, fully 85 per cent of their parents say they expect their children to go to university, according to a 2008 TDSB survey', ... Maria Yau said it’s not “natural” for any group to have so many students heading for university. “Can they really all be qualified or emotionally ready for that kind of learning?”
In my opinion, as a public role representing TDSB, the education authority, it's very inappropriate for Ms. Maria Yau to make such comments, and that these comments are misleading. Her comments suggest that in Canadian universities there are too many students of Asian ancestry, and that students of Asian ancestry are not qualified and talented, and that it's the parents that are forcing these students into the universities.
As I've mentioned to Macleans, here are some basic facts:
- Most, if not all, of the so-called 'Asian' students are Canadian citizens or permanent residents, thus they have the same right of education as do the other Canadian citizens and permanent residents;
- These students are competing with other students under the same rules;
- Some students, including these successful Asian students, fair better in schools and universities because they are smarter, or work harder, or being smarter and work harder at the same time;
If our society truly value equal opportunity for all citizens, then race, skin color and ethnicity should not matter. As long as the participants are competing on the same starting line and following the same fair rules, why is there a problem at all?
And based on what I've seen, the majority of sensible parents would hope that one day their kids would have higher education, no matter which ethnic group or race they are from. The reason is simple, formal higher education is the key to attain skills and get prepared to contribute to the well-being of the society. Why is there anything wrong for the parents bearing such hopes? Pursuing education in the universities or elsewhere is purely the choices made by the students and their families, it's their own problem, not yours. I have to say to Ms. Maria Yau and people alike, as Canadians we have basic rights to make our own choices in our lives, as long as we are following the rules and obeying the laws, you as a by-stander have no right to interfere. Just mind your own business!
Ms. Maria Yau has crossed the line between right and wrong in making such public comments, which are racially biased, of poor taste and poor judgment, and showed her lack of sense of responsibility as an educator.
Yours truly,
xxxxxxxxxxxxx更多精彩文章及讨论,请光临枫下论坛 rolia.net