Winnipeggers react to Maclean's claim that the city is racist

On Thursday, Winnipeg's reputation could not have been further from what it was in September, when the Canadian Museum for Human Rights opened.

"Welcome to Winnipeg: Where Canada's racism problem is at its worst," a headline in Maclean'sreadwhen it was published online Thursday morning.

• Maclean's claim that Winnipeg is Canada's most racist city upsets mayor

Details of instances of racism that have unfolded in recent monthsand over the last few years in Manitoba's capital followed the headline.

But is what the article said true? Is Winnipeg really Canada's racism capital?

The CBC's Jillian Coubroughventured out on the city's streets to ask residents what they think.

"Nobody has a monopoly on racism," said Harry Finnegan.

Finnegan is Metis, and in addition to Winnipeg, he has lived in the United States and Africa.

"It exists everywhere and for [Maclean's] to say our city has got more racism, I'd like to know what it's based on."

While he said there's no question that racism exists in Winnipeg, he was disappointed at the city's new designation.

Robyn Ross did not share Finnegan's belief that individuals of various races are treated as though they are inferior in Winnipeg.

"I take a little bit of offence to that. I don't think we are [racist]. Withme, most of my friend groups, we accept everybody evenly," Ross said.

She added that while she is not personally affected by it, she has seen instances of racism online, downtown and on the news.

Meanwhile, Lucky Paras has first hand experience with racism.

Paras is Filipino and he said he experiences unfair treatment because of his race on the football field.

"It makes me feel pretty ashamed just because we have to live under that title," he said, referring to Nancy Macdonald'sMaclean's article.

If there's one thing Winnipeggers could agree on when it comes to racism, it's that the city needs to work on the issue.