Rosalie Soutar Speaks about Institutionalised Racism

Rosalie Soutar reflects on growing up curious, and what it feels like to be seen as a visible minority.

Transcription

Rosalie Soutar and Mary Louise McCarthy-Brandt are seated in the graveyard outside of St Peter’s Anglican Church. The video begins with a close-up view of Rosalie’s face as she speaks to Mary Louise.

[Rosalie Soutar (RS)] Well I think we can all say we would like to go back, and if I changed this, but then I wouldn’t be who I am today. 

[Mary Louise McCarthy-Brandt (MLMcC-B)] Right. 

[RS] I’ve learned a lot… my mother always said I was the most challenging. 

[MLMcC-B] Oh is that right! 

[RS] I was always the most challenging child in the household, because I’d ask why. But that’s not right mom! Well I know it’s not right, but that’s the way it is. But that’s not right! Why is it that way?

[Camera widens to show Rosalie seated on the left and Mary Louise on the right. There’s a bouquet of flowers on the table between them. The graveyard is clearly visible in the background]  And I still ask that. 

[MLMcC-B] I remember you speaking, I hope you don’t mind me bringing it up. 

[RS] Please do. 

[MLMcC-B] [Camera  switches to a close-up of Mary Louise, as she gestures with her hands] But I was at a… I was part of a panel at Saint Thomas [University] a few years ago, and you asked a question, or maybe you even said it to me personally, but you always analyze some of the institutionalization of our community, and you said: “We are not visible minorities, we are not minorities, and my mother did not raise nine visible minorities. Come in children, come in visible minority children”.

[RS] Yes.

[MLMcC-B] …Like we’re people!

[RS] [Close-up of Rosalie’s face as she speaks to Mary Louise] I HATE that term “minority”. 

[MLMcC-B] Yes, I remember we had that [discussion]… 

[RS] And it needs to change. 

[MLMcC-B] Yes, it already is like a marginalization, when, because it’s an institutionalized form. Correct? 

[RS] Correct. 

[MLMcC-B] From the federal government, I mean you fill out forms, I mean… 

[RS] I don’t mark it! I’m not a minority, I’m not less than. 

[MLMcC-B] Is that right? 

[RS] That’s exactly what I do… 

[MLMcC-B] Black or? 

[RS] No, I’m not going to be your checky-box! 

[MLMcC-B] Good for you! 

[RS] Sorry, I’m not going to be your checky-box, so that you can say you have x number of dark-skinned people. 

[MLMcC-B] Right. 

[RS] I’m not a minority. Am I part of your team, or not? 

[MLMcC-B] Yes, yes. 

[RS] [Camera widens again to show Rosalie seated on the left and Mary Louise on the right] So that’s just me in my own, little way… no I’m not ticking the ticky-box. 

[MLMcC-B] I remember that about you a few years ago, when you said that, [Close-up of Rosalie’s face as she smiles] and it’s a powerful statement. It truly is. 

[RS] It needs to change.