Hollywood Harv: Is Indo-Canada on Google Maps?

A screenshot from the movie Breakaway. Playing hockey is definitely a credential for being Canadian, eh? Submitted photo, Firsttake Entertainment

HOLLYWOOD HARV
VANCOUVER DESI

A couple of times I have actually checked for Indo-Canada, just in case they snuck it in there.

Growing up I was taught about how Canada is this great melting pot and no matter where your parents are from, if you are born in Canada you are automatically Canadian. What a great concept.

I am proud of being Canadian. I played hockey, put maple syrup on my pancakes, and even went to Bingo a couple times with my friend’s family. Those are things that Canadian kids do right?

But for some reason I now find myself being labeled an Indo-Canadian. So I checked it out. Where is this magical place? Perhaps it’s one of those small towns with a lumber mill where a lot of our dads moved for work. Or maybe it’s a neighborhood in Surrey? But no, now I realize that it does not exist. It’s just a term that someone made up for me. Sounds kind of cool, right?  Someone took the time to make a special term just for me.

But wait, my friend Justin’s parents moved to Richmond from Japan a couple of years after my parents came from India. How come no one ever calls him Japanadian?  I’ve never heard Chinadian or Romanadian. Almost everyone’s parents came from somewhere else. It seems kind of unfair to them that only I can have this cool designation as an Indo-Canadian.

After years of thinking about this, my ears have become sensitive to this term. When I hear it in conversation, they perk up a little bit. I tend to listen more intently when I hear the words Indo-Canadian. How exactly, did he say that? Although most people have just accepted the term and throw it around like a meaningless adjective, there will always be a seething few whose disdain for the group is audible when they utter Indo-Canadian.

So is it a positive way of identifying a group or visible minority? Or is it a sly way of slighting a group of people who are no different from dozens of other groups? Obviously, different folks will have different views. But I’m going to stick to the one thing Ms. Peterson taught me in Grade 2: If you are born in Canada, you are a Canadian. She really didn’t go on about the subject after she said that, so I don’t really know any different. But based on that, I can say that I’m just as Canadian as anyone else so please don’t try to knock me down a peg by labelling me an Indo-Canadian. I don’t like it, and you won’t like my response. But that is just my opinion.

Hollywood Harv is a local born and raised comedian. He can be reached at hollywoodharvcomedy@gmail.com or you can see one of his live performances every Thursday night at Mavericks Lounge on 12th and Kingsway.

Tags: harv puni, Hollywood Harv, Indo-canadian, theprovince

Kuljeet Kaila says:

September 25, 2012 at 12:41 pm

I think someone needs to write a blog on what hypocrite means! LOL
I agree with Mr. Manuago all the way. Great, entertaining read by a great entertaining comedian! Love it!

Terry says:

September 25, 2012 at 6:43 am

If you are so offeneded by indo canadian, why the hell are you writing an article on Vancouver Desi? Hypocrite

Sunny says:

September 25, 2012 at 2:15 pm

lol well said

Mr.Manuago says:

September 25, 2012 at 1:54 am

How about we all call ourselves human beings!putting labels decides us soon as u say what specific race someone is u automatically bring race into whatever u are talking about!

Jerry says:

September 24, 2012 at 10:49 pm

Let’s see….I was born in Egypt of Irish parents….immigrated to Canada 45 years ago and became a citizen. So I guess I am an Egyto-Iro-Canadian. On the other hand I paid fifteen bucks in 1970 to become a citizen so I’ll just call myself Canadian.

Terry says:

September 24, 2012 at 8:57 pm

Wasn’t it the “East Indian” community itself that insisted it be called “Indo-Canadian” about 15 years ago? And now, isn’t “Indo-Canadian” being replaced by “South Asian”? The only constant is change.

Nick says:

September 24, 2012 at 7:56 pm

Far too many people, regardless of their ancestry, want to be “Canadian” or a “hyphenated Canadian”, depending on which offers the greater benefits. For me, if you don’t want to be “Canadian”, first, last and always, I’ll be glad to direct you to the airport.

RNightmare says:

September 24, 2012 at 5:55 pm

Why its Surry &Abbots ford silly people

Sunny says:

September 24, 2012 at 5:08 pm

“Growing up I was taught about how Canada is this great melting pot…”

What school did you go to bud? Canada is not a melting pot, it’s a mosaic society. Google to see what the difference is if you don’t know.

“…I’m just as Canadian as anyone else so please don’t try to knock me down a peg by labelling me an Indo-Canadian.”

So you’re saying that anyone who actually is an Indo-Canadian (someone who was born in India n lives in Canada) is inferior to you?? Cause clearly you think being called Indo- Canadian is a diss if it knocks you down a “peg”.

I always hear people being called Chinese-Canadians, French-Canadians, African-Americans etc. It’s just a way to describe your ethnicity.

Seriously says:

September 24, 2012 at 2:49 pm

It all started with Mr. Columbus labelling the native people of Canada at that time as “Indians” (should of got a GPS). Once the ‘true’ Indians…from India, began to migrate here, we were labelled as ‘East Indians’. We then thought that was somewhat offensive and decided to go with an American influenced term of Indo Canadians. I agree with the writer that we are all Canadians and that is how I see myself, but we are the only nationality confused with the First Nations, therefore we are forced to differentiate ourselves.

Bill says:

September 24, 2012 at 12:59 pm

I think it’s a combination of where you were born and where your allgiance lies. If I was born here but really allied myself with Iran in all ways, would I be Canadian still? Are we talking birthplace or “heartplace”. Just a thought.

Sonny says:

September 24, 2012 at 12:44 pm

@Polly – Even the Native Indians or Aboriginals came here long time ago. I guess that is why they call it No man’s land.

Indra says:

September 24, 2012 at 5:53 pm

No such thing as a “Native Indian”, unless you are referring to the native inhabitants of India.

The earliest settlers/inhabitants of the Americas are a Mongoloid sub-race, erroneously termed “Indians”, then “Native Indians”, etc.
These people should be called by their tribal names and as an en-bloc group can perhaps be referenced as ‘Native Americans’, ‘Aboriginals’ or ‘First Nations’.

As for the term Indo-Canadian, it is mildly acceptable as it is much less pejorative than “East Indian” “EI”, etc.

I would rather all Canadians born and bred here be called ….Canadian…….interesting eh?

Polly Haye says:

September 24, 2012 at 12:30 pm

I agree with the article. We are CANADIAN. Just because we came from different country shouldn’t label us. Come to think of it, everyone except the native Indians came from somewhere else.

hmm says:

September 24, 2012 at 12:09 pm

Nicknames have been used since the beginning of time. I feel proud when they refer to me as Indo-Canadian. Better then being referred to as ‘hindu.’ The term Indo Canadian is a sign of how big of an impact we have had on Canadian society. We have a unique identity. We have integrated our values and beliefs into Canadian realm of life. This blend has created unique pocket communities that have prospered in every aspect of Canadian life. Construction, transportation (trucking/taxi), farming, politics, education, and the list can go on. We can adapt to any environment and reap the benefits. Unfortunately, we are even successful in the criminal world. I know that is nothing to brag about, but it just goes to show that we are successful at whatever we put our minds to. We have achieved the ‘american dream’ of Canada. Good or bad, we stand out. The next step is to simply continue in this direction.
Therefore calling me Indo Canadian is fine.

Brian says:

September 24, 2012 at 11:57 am

This is a silly article.

Words like “indo” that end in “o” are derived from Latin meaning representing or possession of.

Many other ethnic communities around the world use similar terms. Franco-Prussian War? Sino-Tibetan dispute? There is no country called Franco or Sino!!

And if you don’t like the term Indo-Canadian then you should bring it up with your own community and request a change as about 15 years ago community leaders requested to use that term instead of “East Indian” in the media etc.

Sonny says:

September 24, 2012 at 11:46 am

I agree with this article to a certain degree. I am also an “Indo-Canadian” but when people use that term they are describing a person from India. I have also heard people say Japanese Canadian or in the states – African American. I personally don’t find it offensive.

However, I sometimes find it funny when people call me “East Indian or Indo-Canadian” and my friend who is from Hong Kong as Asian. I usually tell them that I am Asian too and that is what confuses lot of “Canadians”. I guess they don’t realize that India is in Asia and so is China and Hong Kong and lot of other countries and that makes people from these countries as Asians.

Tybalt says:

September 24, 2012 at 1:52 pm

One can differentiate by calling the wogs asians and the slopes orientals

Nicole says:

September 24, 2012 at 11:41 am

I taught a student who said he was a CBC….a Canadian born Chinese!