How can you be so sure that the lady in the subway hated you? And how can you be so sure that she hated you because you are black? May be she was stunned that you could read the Star at 4 years old?  As a dad, I would never have said that to my young daughter. I never assume.  May be It is my upbringing but I never was bothered by my blackness and never gave attention to racism going to school or working with white people.  I'm sure there was some racism along the way but just worked hard and did very well in life. Always surrounded by white people. Never discussed racism or blackness with my kids even though they go/went to all-white schools and they are excelling. My daughter is in Waterloo engineering (accepted by all top programs in Canada in engineering and business schools). I think it is time for us to just work hard like you did and never worry too much about our colours! There is adequate opportunity for all people, especially in countries like Canada!