Canada love and thoughts on long-awaited citizenship

11 days ago, after 11 years of living in a foreign country on my own I obtained my Canadian citizenship. For this part of the world it is just a piece of paper. But for someone like me, a minority in her own native country at the center of political chaos, social disruption and discrimination, it means independence, safety, mobility, freedom of expression, respect to human rights and dignity. It means that I can travel wherever I want in the world and proudly introduce myself without any eyes scrutinizing me from head to toe disgracefully. It means that my words will be taken into account and that I won't be pushed to the end of line to get assistance or just to merely ask a question based on my accent or nationality. The sad truth is there are much more tragic stories out there of racism and discrimination happening to people daily ever since they were born. People like you and I are being forced out of their countries and only if lucky some get to visit after decades of separation from family and friends. Refugees are not always the poor, uneducated and the unfortunate in the society. There are many friends that I know who are doctors, journalists, academics, artists, government workers, and people with many other interesting passions and interests looking for a way out of systematic oppression and injustice in their home country. I feel lucky to be part of the Canadian society that values cultural inclusion and diversity. I know things are not perfect here and each place in the world has got their own pros and cons. Though it is time that we celebrate everyday heroes in our community who have made a long way to get where they are now and don't take anything for granted which someone else is fighting for.