In a troubling incident in Quebec, Canada, an international master’s student found themselves at the receiving end of racism while dealing with a housing dispute. The student, who chose to remain anonymous, had rented a room in an apartment but decided to vacate due to plumbing issues for which the landlord demanded payment. Despite Quebec’s laws protecting tenants in such situations, the student opted to leave to avoid further conflict.
However, a mishap occurred when the student accidentally had an Amazon order delivered to the old address. In an attempt to retrieve the package, the student contacted the landlord but received no response. When they went in person to inquire, the landlord’s boyfriend, instead of responding to the query, engaged in a heated verbal altercation.
Disclaimer: This video is cut because the original video is 15 minutes long. The full video is posted on youtube with the context in my bio.
— AntiRacism111 (@racism11164661) February 18, 2024
Note:The other indian guy is my ex roommate which we are in good terms and we both left after our disagreement with the landlord boyfriend. pic.twitter.com/VtaC3qJNj9
The situation took a disturbing turn when the landlord’s boyfriend resorted to racist remarks. In a recorded exchange, he can be heard using derogatory language, including referring to the student as a “middle eastern bastard” and making disparaging comments about their background and living conditions. The student captured the incident on video, providing evidence of the racist behavior.
The summary of the video reveals that the landlord’s boyfriend was bragging about being a McGill student while spewing racist slurs, as mentioned. This behavior is especially concerning given his association with a prestigious institution.
Such incidents highlight the challenges faced by international students and the prevalence of racism in society. The student has expressed disappointment at the lack of response from the landlord and hopes that by sharing their story, awareness will be raised about the need to address racism and discrimination in all its forms.
The student has shared screenshots of their communication with the landlord and the recording of the altercation as evidence of the incident. They are considering their options for further action and are seeking support from the community and relevant authorities