It was a chilly February evening as I trudged my way through the icy, frozen snow toward the Arts and Education building for my evening Sociology class. I was in a hurry to get inside, not only for the warmth and protection from the relentless Canadian winter that the building provided, but to also hear about how my friends experience with the RCMP recruiting expo had gone. He was supposed to have his results by now.
As I walked into the lecture room, I noticed he was there chatting with one of our friends. I plopped my heavy back pack down with a loud thud onto my chair and began to remove the layers of winter gear. “So, how did it go?” I asked. He began to tell us about all the different requirements and exercises/physical testing the expo put them through. It was grueling. A written exam, physical fitness tests, the works. And this was just to see if he would meet the minimum requirements to apply. He filled us in on all the details of the testing and process being sure to include not only his times and scores but that of his friend who had also gone. I couldn’t take the suspense any longer. “Darshan, did you get in or what??”
He paused for what felt like an eternity. I was seriously ready to slap it out of him if he didn’t talk soon. Finally, he started, “Well, they encouraged me to apply. But I’m not going to.” WHAT!?!?!? Had I just heard him right? The RCMP, one of the most prestigious police forces in the world, has invited him to apply and he was turning it down?? Did I miss something? After I picked my jaw up off the floor, I asked him “Well why not?” After yet another painful long pause he told us that while his friend had scored higher than he did in all areas, he had not been invited but Darshan had. I was confused. “I don’t understand.” I said. “They don’t want me because of my scores Cheryl, they want me because I’m brown. If someone calls the police the person who comes should be there because they were the best person for the job, not because their skin was the right colour. I want them to want me because of my skills and ability, not because I’m East Indian.” Before either of us could say anything else, the class began and my friend, looking defeated, slowly turned around and began taking notes.
My head was whirling. While I should have been listening and taking notes, instead I sat there, books half out of my bag, replaying what I had just heard. Can this really be true? The RCMP are recruiting based on racialized factors rather than who is the best suited? I understand the importance of having diversity on the force however shouldn’t it be about who is best qualified? Then I began to think about my own life and experiences. Had I ever gotten somewhere because I was a woman and not because I was the best qualified? Had I ever lost out on an opportunity because my skin was white? How is this even something I should be thinking about in this day and age?
“Miss Smith are you planning to join us this evening” my instructor shrieked, visibly irritated by my lack of participation. I quickly finished unpacking my stuff, opened my binder and began taking notes…if it even matters.