Racism in ‘Orange’ Toronto

Re Christie Pits riot a turning point for Toronto, Opinion Aug. 15

The piece relays the severe prejudice toward the Jewish population by many in Toronto. One paragraph states, “Interestingly, young Italian boys from the neighbourhood joined their Jewish friends for what turned out to be Toronto’s first and largest ethnically based riot.” Author Bernie M. Farber is seemingly surprised about this. I assume the “young Italian boys” were Catholic and in the 1930s the same group that was prejudiced toward Jewish people were also prejudiced toward Catholics.

My father told me that when he was looking for a job in the 1930s he was asked what religion he was. When he answered “Catholic” the interview was usually over. This was common in “Orange” Toronto. The fact that Italian Catholics would join in with their Jewish friends against a group of bigots was to be expected.

Thankfully, most Torontonians are now accepting of all religions.

Larry Noonan, Toronto