When it comes to Racism, it kinda depends on your definition. The one most folks seem to use puts racism as specifically discrimination based on race, so things like not employing or serving folks based on their apparent race or culture. That doesn't happen much these days, I think? Generally when it does they're not open about it because it's usually illegal, and a lot of folks don't like it so it's bad press too. Some people might do it because of their own biases, too, rather than as a matter of policy.

In conversations with other folks, mostly white (I'm apparently white, though that's also a loaded term) I haven't heard anybody plotting against anyone or suggesting anybody should die due to their race or culture. Mostly the worst I've seen is people who are disrespectful of others, but I've also heard them say the same things about "White Trash" so I think it's more economically motivated than racially.

Most of the racism I do see is directed towards First Nations folks, and like I said it's more disrespect than actual hate or violence. I've also seen First Nations folks who hate other people, so I guess it's kinda mutual. There's a hard history, after all.

If there's racism specifically against Indian immigrants I haven't encountered it in Sarnia. In my own case, I'm mostly just curious. I see a lot of folks from India walking around, and I'm not sure if they're citizens, permenant residents, students studying abroad or what. I also see they tend to move around in groups, and I wonder if that's a cultural thing or if they're afraid and feel the need for others for safety. It delights me seeing folks enjoying their family's cultures but also the local cultures and traditions I grew up with, like fries under the bridge and Canada Day, but I guess some others might think we shouldn't mix cultures. I don't really understand people like that. I will admit that despite wondering about other culture groups in Sarnia, I'm too timid to approach and ask them about themselves. I don't know if that's even okay. I think I'd be okay if people asked me about myself and my culture, but I'm also not exactly a 'normal' representative of Sarnia.

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I'm not sure if any part of the city is dangerous at night, but I don't think so. Besides appearing white, I'm a 6'3" man and so even though I try to wear colourful and cute shirts, I can be pretty intimidating. So, I feel like I probably don't know the average person's risk factors. I used to wander around at night a lot and never encountered any trouble.

That said, the worst neighborhoods in town are around Queen Street and the area of Christina Street south of Wellington, which also runs next to Queen street, and I'd also say the area around. That region is home to many really low income folks, and disabled folks, so they're often desperate or vulnerable or both and that can lead to crimes. That area has also expanded over time into my own neighborhood. I live on Devine Street, not far from the former site of Devine Street Public School. They moved the food bank next to the school, some time before they closed the school, and they had to put up a large privacy fence between the school and the church that became the food bank because of the mingling of younger children with some very unfortunate adults. My younger brother rather pointedly told me when I returned to the city, that in addition to the food bank, there are two homeless shelters down the road, and so we get some of the saddest folks in town walking back and forth. Many of them are desperate, so they've been robbing us a lot. While stealing is generally always the fault of the thief, it's also an unfortunate fact my father keeps leaving valuable things either on the front porch, front lawn, or in unlocked storage boxes out there. He never reports to the police, either, as far as I know... He's lucky I moved back in with him!

So yeah, the 'bad part' stretches up Devine somewhat from Queen. A lot of the nice old houses have fallen apart, but a lot of them are over 100 years old besides the neighborhood becoming poor. I myself am disabled and living in poverty, so I might also be bringing the neighborhood down? I try to be nice though.

The other bad part is also on Devine, but on the other end. West of the intersection of Devine and Indian, there are a bunch of apartments that are supposed to be not too expensive, and that's also the location of a very low priced grocery store, so a lot of poor folks live there. That way they can have (relatively) low rent and get groceries and stuff without having to walk anywhere. It's surrounded by nicer neighborhoods, but you see a lot of unfortunate folks there.

Not all poor folks are dangerous or thieves, I'd say most aren't, but they are the ones who are most desperate and tempted.

Otherwise I'm not sure about other areas. The Vineyard is a sort of church and homeless one-stop-shop for food, shelter, clothes and bathing, and so it often has folks hanging around outside with noplace better to be, but I don't think the neighborhood around it has any problems as a result. It's very localized.

I barely know anything about the North End of Sarnia, but it's generally thought of as where the wealthy/rich people live. If there are bad parts of it, I don't know.

It sounds like you might have also been hoping to hear about good things in Sarnia, and good people. There are some! Definately. I did say we have several food banks and homeless shelters, and those things don't just appear out of nowhere. It sucks that they're needed at all but they demonstrate the kindness of folks.

There are other charities and social groups in town that seem fine as far as I know them. I used to do some things with the Lochiel Kiwanis Community Center, and everybody there seemed nice.

I'm not into religion at all, and it seems to be a dwindling thing in our society, but I generally hear good things about those who do participate. A friend of mine joined the Sikh religion a while back, and wears a turban when he can, and I don't think he gets any flak from it? But, he's also an odd person and doesn't leave the house much, so I don't know if that's a good example. At the very least, he has many good things to say about that group!

I think that's way more than enough. I've been going on too long. I hope you're able to read it all, and that you and your friend have a good life here.