We, the Others by Toula Drimonis
Reviewed by Lisa Timpf
In We, the Others: Allophones, Immigrants, and Belonging in Canada, Toula Drimonis explores the immigrant experience in Canada. As the child of parents who immigrated to Quebec from Greece, Drimonis draws on her family’s experiences to illustrate some of her points. But the book is broader than that. Drimonis also comments on news events, landmark happenings, and facts, both historical and current, about immigration in Canada.
Drimonis speaks to the difficulties faced by immigrants, and the negative sentiments that are sometimes harboured or demonstrated toward them. But she also discusses the important contributions immigrants make to society. She notes that during the Covid pandemic, “a disproportionate number of Quebec frontline workers who were becoming ill or dying were immigrants.”
The use of “others” in the title is no accident. “Othering” is a concept that Drimonis dwells on, underscoring how painful it can be for immigrants to be continually be told they don’t belong, or to have their differences focussed on.
We, the Others talks about the way second-generation immigrants can be pulled in different directions. Family expectations sometimes clash with what the second-generation kids either want to do, or feel pressured to do, by the new culture in which they find themselves. Drimonis’ book also explores the particular challenges for immigrants in Quebec, where concerns about preserving the French language and Quebec culture can create additional tensions.
We, the Others does not shy away from contentious or difficult issues. Drimonis provides a perspective on the issue of expected gratitude, citing the incident when Don Cherry made his infamous remarks about immigrants in connection with Remembrance Day in 2019. She discusses how the expectation of gratitude is often used as “a weapon lobbed at those who dare criticize the society in which they live.” She also talks about Quebec’s Bill 21, and the fine line between secularism and intolerance.
While many Canadians believe that our approach to multiculturalism means immigrants feel welcome, Drimonis’ book illustrates that this isn’t necessarily the case. She provides historical information about how Canada and its people have treated immigrants, including references to the Chinese Immigration Act, an anti-Greek riot in Toronto in 1918, moves taken to “dissuade Black immigrants” early in the 20th century, and denial of entry to the MS St. Louis, which was “carrying more than 900 refugees fleeing Nazi Germany,” among other instances.
Drimonis also talks about how Alexandre Bissonnette, who “gunned down six men in prayer at the Quebec City mosque” in 2017, was “influenced by a steady diet of far-right, anti-immigrant voices.” Drimonis adds that “Fear-mongering pundits and politicians nurture . . . seeds of hate” toward immigrants.
We, the Others offers an alternative to fear and hate: developing a more compassionate mindset. It’s easy to “other” people, but Drimonis’ book offers an opportunity to build a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by immigrants, and a greater appreciation of the contributions they make to society. As Drimonis notes, “we do not need to eat the same things, think the same things, or like the same things to ensure social unity. Diversity, whether culinary or social, is not an obstacle or a threat, but an expansion.”
Written with a sense of humour that sometimes contains sharp satire, We, the Others is a worthwhile read for those who believe in the value of an empathetic society. As the child of immigrants, I found much of what Drimonis said resonant. Her writing provided a different perspective on my own parents’ experiences.
Drimonis’ book is one step in building greater compassion for the many people who come to Canada seeking a better life. As she notes in the Afterword, “People exactly like you go somewhere else and people nothing like you arrive. With a little trust and time, you eventually realize there are no others.”
About the Author
Toula Drimonis is a Montreal-based opinion columnist, writer, and news producer. A former news director for TC Media, she has reported and written on politics, social justice, and women's issues for national and international publications. She has worked in television, radio, and print in all three of her languages, and has appeared on TV as both panelist and contributor to English and French-language current-affairs and cultural news shows.
Book Details
Publisher : Linda Leith Publishing (Sept. 30 2022)
Language : English
Paperback : 223 pages
ISBN-10 : 1773901214
ISBN-13 : 978-1773901213
