I remember many cases where “double consciousness” (woman and person of color) was a factor of discrimination of which I was a victim. I remember the first time I became aware of my location in Toronto. I was in elementary school and a boy called me a “nigger.” The teacher heard him and told him to apologize, because it wasn't a nice thing to say. He reluctantly apologized and that was that. He was not reprimanded properly, his parents were not informed of the incident and neither were mine. Likewise, I didn't tell my mother because I was sure she would have told the teacher and I was embarrassed1. Five years later, in high school, a similar incident occurred where the word “nigger” resurfaced. Only this time, not only did I demand an apology, I demanded it in writing and that his parents be informed; As I learned from my previous experience, sometimes apologizing is not enough. Therefore, I was a different person in this last experience, not because I was older but because I was not ashamed of who I am. By then, I had unfortunately experienced so much prejudice that I did not internalize my hurt, but used it as a vehicle to fuel my resistance. Resistance to speaking up when I feel like I've been wronged, resistance to not tolerating someone using my color, gender, or status as a way to make me feel small while still feeling relevant. These two experiences I recounted brought to my attention the harsh reality of the challenges I am and will continue to face due to my geographic location, but they are also the reason why I no longer keep silent about things that matter in my life. Toronto has been my home for over half my life and I can understand that although I am disadvantaged...... middle of paper...... my counterparts, men of color, in particular and in my case black men and I use the term loosely2. Caribbean Canadians, especially Jamaicans, have a bad reputation in Toronto. They are without a doubt considered drug dealers or murderers and unfortunately in my opinion all are seen as such, until proven otherwise. Although Caribbean Canadian women are not stigmatized as "violent offenders" or "thugs", I can therefore say, in comparison, that as a Caribbean woman, I experience less prejudice. 3In conclusion, not everyone you meet in Toronto practices racism or discrimination. However, if you remain silent when you witness it, or if you feel that it is not your problem, we will succumb to the perils of our silence. As Audre Lorde once said, "It's about learning to stand alone, to be unpopular and sometimes vilified...for the master's tools will never dismantle the master's house.".”.