A father in Toronto was “shocked” and “hurt” after finding racist graffiti on his car.
Global News Canada reports that the incident took place at Wiley Ko’s home near don Mills Road and Highway 401. The police are investigating the incident as a possible hate crime.
Ko, who has lived in Canada for over 35 years told Global News, “I just can’t believe it. Every race in this country should be respected, we shouldn’t have this kind of racism here.”
Ko had parked his SUV in the parking lot of his apartment building around 5pm on Sunday. His son returned home the following morning to find the car covered in white spray paint with the words “chink” and “go bak to China [sic]” as well as graphic images on the vehicle.
“It really, really hurts. I’ve been in this country for 35 years and I’ll always believe that every person in this country could live equally,” he said.
“Everyone should be respected. So I don’t know why this kind of racism would get to me, would come to me.”
Toronto Police Const. Jenifferjit Sidhu added that the vehicle had two broken headlights as well as the graffiti. The damage is estimated to be in excess of $4,000.
Ko said he was “really shocked” about the incident and didn’t know how to process it.
“I don’t know how to explain my feelings,” he said. “At the very, very first moment I don’t know what to say. I don’t know how to express my feelings.”
Although Ko was aware of racist incidents, he said that having it happen to him is a “totally different kind of feeling and emotion.”
“I really don’t know what to do. Also, for one minute there I felt my safety is being affected,” Ko said. “Like somebody would attack me.”
“If somebody did this to you what would you feel?,” he said, adding his safety is “totally jeopardized.” “Would you feel terrible? Would you feel hurt?”
Ko immigrated from Hong Kong to Canada in 1981 and has lived there since. He has two sons – aged 28 an 21- who were born in Toronto.
“They’re all Canadians. I’m also a citizen too,” he said. “No way, this is already my home. I consider this country, this city — my home.”
“I’m a proud Canadian because this country is really, really great and I respect all kinds of people in this country.”
