Tired of playing second fiddle

Re: “Nasty discourse has deep effect on minorities” (Fariha Naqvi-Mohamed, Aug. 24)

Many voices, communities and minority groups are not being represented in Quebec’s political arena, and I wonder when the diversity in our population will begin to translate into the ranks of the decision-makers in our province.

Like Fariha Naqvi-Mohamed, I was born here and am bilingual — and I, too, feel like I have always been playing second fiddle to the francophone majority.

In my case, I am white and have no religious affiliation. My only divergence from the majority is my mother tongue: English. And for this I have been insulted, laughed at, scorned and, despite having a university education, am chronically underemployed.

In the past 15-plus years I have applied for countless jobs, and have had only a handful of interviews and was always passed over. Every day I question my decision to stay in this province but have never had the financial stability to be able to pack up and leave.

I can’t imagine what it would be like to also be “of colour” and belong to a religious minority. I’m humbled by the strength and perseverance of visible minorities in this province.

I wish that all citizens could feel welcome and represented in our democracy, but sadly I don’t see that happening anytime soon in Quebec.

We would need more people like Naqvi-Mohamed to stand up, speak out and demand to be accounted for. Lisa Anne Tartaglia, Montreal East